A former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Africa Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has faulted the recent statement issued by former Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political leaders on the state of the nation, questioning their moral authority to lead the conversation on Nigeria’s challenges.
In a press statement dated December 15, 2025, Ogundipe acknowledged that the issues raised by the political leaders — including economic hardship, widespread insecurity, institutional decay and loss of public confidence — are real and demand urgent attention.
However, he argued that the debate must move beyond diagnosis to a deeper examination of sincerity, accountability and credibility.
According to Ogundipe, the signatories to the statement are not detached observers but long-standing political actors who occupied key positions of power for decades, during which many of the problems currently confronting the country were either created or left unresolved.
“In moments of profound national crisis, truth is essential — but credibility is decisive,” he stated.
Ogundipe warned that public criticism without honest self-reflection risks being perceived as political repositioning rather than genuine concern for national recovery. He stressed that public trust cannot be rebuilt through rhetoric alone, but through accountability and a willingness to accept responsibility for past actions and omissions.
He called on the former leaders to go beyond lamentation by offering a clear reflection on their roles in shaping present realities, presenting specific and practical solutions to Nigeria’s problems, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to reform, including challenging entrenched political interests.
Ogundipe further noted that Nigeria is at a critical crossroads and requires leadership anchored on humility, courage and responsibility, both from those currently in power and those who previously governed.
“Public trust, once fundamentally eroded, cannot be reclaimed by statements alone,” he said, expressing hope that political leaders would place the country’s long-term stability and prosperity above partisan ambition.
A former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Africa Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has faulted the recent statement issued by former Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political leaders on the state of the nation, questioning their moral authority to lead the conversation on Nigeria’s challenges.
In a press statement dated December 15, 2025, Ogundipe acknowledged that the issues raised by the political leaders — including economic hardship, widespread insecurity, institutional decay and loss of public confidence — are real and demand urgent attention.
However, he argued that the debate must move beyond diagnosis to a deeper examination of sincerity, accountability and credibility.
According to Ogundipe, the signatories to the statement are not detached observers but long-standing political actors who occupied key positions of power for decades, during which many of the problems currently confronting the country were either created or left unresolved.
“In moments of profound national crisis, truth is essential — but credibility is decisive,” he stated.
Ogundipe warned that public criticism without honest self-reflection risks being perceived as political repositioning rather than genuine concern for national recovery. He stressed that public trust cannot be rebuilt through rhetoric alone, but through accountability and a willingness to accept responsibility for past actions and omissions.
He called on the former leaders to go beyond lamentation by offering a clear reflection on their roles in shaping present realities, presenting specific and practical solutions to Nigeria’s problems, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to reform, including challenging entrenched political interests.
Ogundipe further noted that Nigeria is at a critical crossroads and requires leadership anchored on humility, courage and responsibility, both from those currently in power and those who previously governed.
“Public trust, once fundamentally eroded, cannot be reclaimed by statements alone,” he said, expressing hope that political leaders would place the country’s long-term stability and prosperity above partisan ambition.
