By Austin Oyibode
Senator Ned Nwoko has emphasized the urgent need for accountable leadership and renewed national priorities in Nigeria, stating that the country’s challenges extend beyond constitutional reform.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the Delta North lawmaker and member of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution urged Nigerian leaders to place the welfare of citizens above political interests.
“Nigeria’s problem is not solely constitutional,” Senator Nwoko said. “Yes, reforms are necessary. But beyond the pages of any legal document, our most pressing challenge remains the absence of patriotic leadership and a lack of accountability across all levels of governance.”
Drawing a comparison with the United Kingdom, which operates efficiently without a single written constitution, Nwoko highlighted the importance of national interest and institutional integrity over rigid legal frameworks.
“Their system works because their leaders, institutions, and citizens alike put national interest above personal or sectional gain. That is what we must emulate in Nigeria.”
The senator stressed that the real measure of good governance lies not in policies or political rhetoric, but in tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He called for a redirection of national priorities towards critical sectors such as education, healthcare, housing, and security.
“Our people must come first,” he said. “Every Nigerian deserves to live in dignity, to be protected, provided for, and truly cared for. Governance must reflect measurable outcomes, not lofty promises.”
Addressing the longstanding agitation for the creation of Anioma State, Nwoko reaffirmed his unwavering support for the cause, describing it as a historic and legitimate demand rooted in justice and equity.
“This agitation is neither new nor politically manufactured,” he stated. “It is a historic demand, older than I am, and remains the most consistent and legitimate call for state creation in Nigeria’s history.”
He dismissed attempts to politicize the movement, asserting that the quest for Anioma State transcends party politics and ethnic considerations. “This is about fulfilling a long-standing promise to a people who have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s growth.”
Senator Nwoko pledged to continue championing the creation of Anioma State, not for personal gain but in honor of the aspirations of Anioma people past, present, and future.
