A development advocate, Mr. Suage A. Badey, has declined calls to contest the Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections, citing deep concerns over electoral malpractice and systemic flaws in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Badey made his position known on Sunday while receiving a delegation of the Progressive Rivers Reformers (PRR), who had urged him to join the race.
Explaining his decision, Badey pointed to what he described as the “politics of thuggery, imposition and outright electoral fraud,” stressing that meaningful participation in elections would remain difficult without comprehensive political and electoral reforms.
“My experience over the years tells me that the Nigerian state needs a complete overhaul before the dividends of democracy can be attained through a credible electoral system and an enlightened electorate,” he said.
He attributed Nigeria’s governance challenges to both the political class and the electorate, arguing that electoral malpractice and voter complacency have enabled the emergence of leaders who fail to prioritise citizens’ welfare.
According to him, the absence of clear political ideologies and development blueprints among many actors has further weakened democratic governance.
“The governed continually sell their rights by capitulating to electoral malpractices, giving rise to insensitive political actors with little or no empathy for the people.
“This unfortunate derailment is a self-inflicted consequence. The result is the emergence of a rogue democracy that does not truly reflect the aspirations of the people,” Badey stated.
He maintained that free, fair and credible elections remain the only viable path to achieving good governance and sustainable development, urging political office holders to embrace servant leadership and prioritise the welfare of citizens above personal interests.
Badey also called on the people of Ogoni to engage constructively with their elected representatives to promote accountability and responsible governance.
While expressing appreciation to the PRR for their confidence in him, he said his immediate focus remains on community development and peace-building efforts in Ogoniland through the Albert Badey Center for Development (ABCD Foundation), established in memory of his late father.
“Leadership and service should not be measured solely by the occupation of political office. We can all serve in diverse ways, bearing in mind that service is a commitment and not a title,” he said.
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He further urged political stakeholders in Ogoni to embrace peace and set aside rivalries to create an enabling environment for development, while wishing the PRR success in its advocacy efforts.
The PRR had approached Badey to contest the seat based on the belief among some stakeholders that it is Gokana’s turn to produce the federal lawmaker in 2027.
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