Gov Aiyedatiwa advocates stronger democracy, security, rule of law

 

……..No sustainable national security outside democratic framework – Basiru

By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has stressed the need to strengthen democratic governance, national security and the rule of law as essential pillars for national development.

The Governor made this known while speaking at the fourth distinguished lecture organised by the College of Law, Ifetedo Campus, Osun State University, where Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, delivered the keynote address.

Governor Aiyedatiwa described universities as vital institutions in the moral and intellectual architecture of society, noting that law faculties in particular serve as custodians of discipline, debate and democratic values.

“A university occupies a vital place in the moral and intellectual architecture of any society. The College of Law is a nursery for leadership, training lawyers, magistrates and judges who will determine how we fare in the future in terms of democratic governance”.

Commending the College of Law for sustaining its intellectual tradition, the governor praised the choice of Senator Basiru as guest lecturer, describing him as a bridge between academia and public service.

He noted that Senator Basiru’s journey from the lecture halls to legislative service and national party administration reflects sustained engagement with constitutionality, institutional order and principled governance.

According to the Governor, the lecture went beyond academic discourse, addressing critical issues that define Nigeria’s national journey.

“Democratic governance, national security and rule of law are not abstract concepts. They define whether societies progress or stagnate, whether institutions endure or erode,” Governor Aiyedatiwa stated.

He emphasised that while the government wields enormous power, such authority must always be exercised within the limits of the law to avoid impunity and instability.

“We have so much power as an executive government, but that power must be exercised within the limits of the law. If you want a stable system, you must operate within legal boundaries,” he said.

Highlighting his administration’s policy direction, the Governor said it has been deliberately aligned with institutional strengthening, fiscal transparency, community-based security architecture and citizen-centred governance.

He pointed to the state’s investment in rule-based public service reforms and inter-agency security collaboration, noting that the state’s homegrown security network, Amotekun Corps, continues to work closely with federal security agencies to maintain peace.

“Our security architecture is community-driven and collaborative. We believe security without justice breeds resentment, and development without accountability erodes trust”.

Addressing students of the College of Law, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged them to take their studies seriously, reminding them that they are future custodians of Nigeria’s democratic order.

“You are not merely studying law; you are preparing to safeguard the integrity of our courts, the credibility of our elections and the fairness of our governance,” he said.

The governor reiterated the interconnectedness of democracy, security and development.

“Without the rule of law, democracy becomes fragile. Without democracy, security becomes coercive. And without security, development becomes impossible”.

In his lecture paper entitled “Democratic Governance, National Security, and the Rule of Law”, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Suraijudeen Ajibola Basiru, asserted that democratic governance, national security and the rule of law remain practical and foundational pillars for a modern, stable and prosperous Nigeria.

Basiru described democracy as an enduring legacy bequeathed to future generations, arguing that the preservation of democratic freedoms constitutes the ultimate national security imperative.

He observed that the quest to consolidate democratic governance, ensure sustainable national security and uphold the rule of law is neither linear nor complete, noting that Nigeria stands at a critical juncture where insecurity threatens to undermine progress recorded since 1999.

Despite prevailing challenges, he maintained that the resilience of the Nigerian state, the steadfastness of its institutions and the unwavering commitment of its people demonstrate that the democratic experiment remains firmly on course.

He declared that sustainable national security is impossible without the rule of law and that the rule of law cannot function effectively outside a legitimate democratic framework, emphasising that these are not theoretical ideals but practical foundations for national development.

Basiru urged a transition from mere diagnosis of challenges to actionable reforms.

He called on the executive to champion constitutional obedience, the legislature to strengthen oversight, the judiciary to safeguard its independence and citizens to demand transparency and accountability, stressing that only such collective commitment can transform institutions into robust democratic guardians.

He expressed optimism that through deliberate and principled efforts, Nigeria would fulfil its constitutional mandate of securing the welfare, dignity and progress of its people, and continue to advance in strength, wisdom and peace.

Speaking on police architecture in the country, Basiru said the centralised Nigerian Police Force, with officers centrally recruited and deployed, has proven overstretched and often disconnected from community dynamics.

He noted that the police, if recruited locally, would enhance intelligence gathering, rapid response and accountability by placing security closer to the people.

In a goodwill message, the Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the South-West, Dr Isaac Kekemeke, attributed the stability and progress recorded within the APC and across the country to internal cooperation and unity.

He said the large turnout of party leaders reflected shared commitment among stakeholders, noting that while some members were in Nasarawa on what he described as an equally important assignment, leaders from all geopolitical zones attended the event in solidarity.

“They work together and their cooperation is a result of the stability and the progress that we have seen in our party and in the quality of Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the gathering was led by the state governor and the party’s National Deputy Chairman, with representatives from the South-East, South-South, South-West and the North present.

Kekemeke, drawing on experience spanning the classroom, the judiciary and legal practice, described the lecture as essential reading for legal practitioners, members of the judiciary, politicians and students. He disclosed that some of the issues raised would be further examined with the scholar at the party’s forthcoming National Conference.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye, commended the state government for its support for the university, particularly in infrastructure development. He noted that the institution boasts one of the best hospitals in West Africa, credited to its Chancellor, Dr Folorunso Alakija, and her family. Adebooye described the Faculty of Law as one of the best in the country, producing at least three first-class graduates yearly in the final Bar examination and ranking prominently in the Council of Legal Education table.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Provost of the College of Law, Prof Mojeed Olujinmi Alabi, said contemporary security challenges in Nigeria have not only strained the capacity of state institutions but also raised questions about their legitimacy and, in extreme cases, the very existence of the state. He stressed that perennial security challenges in democratic Nigeria require all stakeholders, irrespective of political persuasion, religion or ethnicity, to strike a balance between the demands of democratic governance and the protection of critical national interests.

Also speaking, the Olubosin of Ifetedo, Oba Akinola Akinrera Oyebode, observed that Nigeria’s democracy had yet to take firm root since 1999 and called for greater internal democracy within political parties.

He nevertheless commended infrastructure development in Ondo State, noting that Governor Aiyedatiwa has transformed the state tremendously.

He lauded the guest lecturer for his courage and commitment to good governance.