Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has called on Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the country’s democratic future by scrutinising political leaders and prioritising good governance over financial inducements.
Daniel made the call during a courtesy visit by the organising team of the 2026 Megastar Man of the Decade Awards, which is scheduled to bring together political leaders, business executives, public office holders and other stakeholders in Abuja.
The visit formed part of the organisers’ pre-event engagements ahead of the awards ceremony, themed “The Road to 2027: Citizens, Stakeholders, and the Democracy We Choose.”
Speaking during the visit, Daniel stressed that democracy must remain focused on serving the people, warning that governance loses its purpose when leaders prioritise personal interests, favouritism and nepotism over public welfare.
“There is one golden rule that I applied when I was in office, and I do not think that rule fails: democracy is government by the people,” Daniel said.
He maintained that leaders must evaluate their decisions based on their overall impact on the masses, adding that public service should be guided by the needs and aspirations of ordinary citizens.
According to him, nepotism undermines responsible governance and can create conditions that encourage corruption.
Addressing the role of voters ahead of the 2027 general elections, the senator urged citizens and political stakeholders to actively participate in the democratic process rather than allow financial inducements to determine their choices.
“Stakeholders and citizens should do more than observing—they should interrogate and get involved,” he said.
Daniel cautioned that voters must carefully examine the character, track records and capacity of candidates seeking public office instead of being swayed by money during election campaigns.
He warned that accepting short-term financial benefits without considering the long-term consequences of electoral decisions could leave citizens grappling with poor governance for four or eight years.
The senator’s remarks align with the central theme of the 2026 Megastar Man of the Decade Awards, which seeks to stimulate conversations on democratic development, civic responsibility, leadership and accountability as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
During the courtesy visit, the Megastar delegation formally presented Daniel with an invitation to participate as a panelist at the forthcoming event in Abuja.
According to the organisers, the awards will combine the recognition of outstanding achievements with strategic discussions on leadership, public accountability and the democratic choices confronting the nation.
The event is expected to provide a platform for political leaders, business executives, public office holders and other stakeholders to exchange views on the country’s democratic future and the responsibilities of citizens in shaping governance.
With preparations gathering momentum, the organisers have invited interested individuals and organisations to secure tables for the event in Abuja.
