By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, has said that there is no justice and fairness in the management and distribution of resources in the country thereby defeating the reasons and tenets of democracy.
The Governor was speaking on Tuesday at the 2026 edition of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation (GEJ) annual Democracy Dialogue with the theme: Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and Judiciary Save African Democracy?, held at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre (ICC), Bauchi.
According to him, “To my mind, we are today here gathered again because it’s an annual thing. I remember that I kick-started it in Bayelsa State when he started moving to the states. And today’s topic is about democracy. I’d like to bring it home to Bayelsa State. Democracy has been well defined by former President Obasanjo.”
He added that, “And democracy is about the rule of law, and it’s built on three pillars. The pillars of justice, equity, and fairness. And I believe that we have missed the road of democracy in Nigeria long ago. Because there is no justice where oil in Oloybri that gave this country an oil commercial producing country status.”
He lamented that,”Oloybri today is a shadow of itself. And all of the money come to Abuja at the end of the month to come and share oil money. I don’t think that that’s what democracy is all about.”
The Bayelsa Governor added, “I don’t believe that the local government that brings so much money to Nigeria, Southern Ijaw Local Government, where I invited former President Obasanjo, who graciously came. For 60 years, they have no access to the headquarters of that local government. It is only recently that they have concluded a 630 meters long bridge to the headquarters of that local government.”
He declared,”And so to my mind, there is total injustice where I have just Eight local government areas. Some other states have 40 local government areas and above. And the resources from my State is used to share to those local government areas. And I have only eight. There is injustice.”
“And whoever that become President, the injustice continues. The unfairness continues. Resources are expropriated. Today there is gold in Zamfara and other places. And what do we experience? Insecurity. Most of the insecurity is also traced to the discovery of gold in that far North,” he added.
Duoye Diri added,”And so, my dear leader, my conclusion is that for democracy to thrive in Nigeria, there must be true federalism. I delivered a lecture in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, about a year ago on true federalism. And until Nigeria begins to practice federalism, we will have some pseudo-democratic, pseudo-autocratic, and sometimes even a tyrannical government in this country.”
He concluded,”However, I will still congratulate my elder brother, former President, who has made this possible. And we must continue to jaw-jaw so that at the end of the day the country will be better for us all. Thank you and God bless you all.”
In her goodwill message, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, called for deeper collaboration between the judiciary and political parties to strengthen democratic governance across Africa.
Represented by a Judge of the Appeal Court, Jos Division, Justice Monsurat Bolaji Yusuf, Monica Dongban emphasized that the evolving political, technological, and socioeconomic landscape makes engagement between the courts and political institutions imperative.
According to her, “The strength of democratic governance is anchored in strong institutions. This demands adherence to constitutionalism, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to justice, accountability, and peaceful resolution of disputes.”
She described political parties as the primary vehicles for democratic participation and leadership recruitment, while framing the judiciary as the impartial guardian of constitutional order.
Despite their distinct mandates, She noted that both entities share the responsibility of preserving democratic legitimacy and public trust.
Monica Dongban-Mensem commended former President Jonathan for creating the platform and noted that the Foundation continues to make vital contributions to Africa’s stability by promoting peaceful transitions and resilient institutions.
Closing her remarks, She expressed confidence that the dialogue would yield practical recommendations to reinforce institutional integrity and constitutional governance throughout the continent.
Leave a Comment