Professor Godini G. Darah, a renowned scholar and activist, delivered a scathing critique of the Niger Delta’s political leadership during the panel session at the First News 4th Anniversary Public Lecture in Port Harcourt.
He decried the current leadership in the region and argued that under such leadership devoid of unity, progress would remain elusive.
Speaking candidly at the event, Prof. Darah expressed his frustration with the failure of regional leaders to attend discussions focused on the Niger Delta’s future.
“Leaders who want to develop the Niger Delta will not be absent from an event like this,” he remarked, drawing attention to the absence of several top leaders from the forum.
He also stressed the need for a revolutionary political movement driven by the youth and other forward-thinking individuals to alter the status quo.
“The youth have tried all they can, we have tried all we can. What is missing is that there is no revolutionary political movement to change the situation,” Prof. Darah said.
Challenging the role of political leadership in the region, Darah criticized the focus on governors and suggested that First News should target a different audience for future events.
“First News should plan this event with investors and not governors. They will never attend,” he asserted.
Prof. Darah didn’t hold back when discussing Nigeria’s political climate, stating, “Unless you are a thief, you cannot win an election in Nigeria.” His words reflected a deep concern about the integrity of the country’s electoral processes.
The panel session, which featured other prominent voices like Liborous Oshoma and Donu Kogbara, sparked critical discussions about the future of the Niger Delta and the urgent need for political and economic reforms in the region.