The Poverty of Ambition and the Case for an Alternative.
In our political culture, ambition has been dangerously trivialized. It is no longer, in many cases, about vision, capacity, or the disciplined pursuit of development. Instead, it has been reduced to a narrow and corrosive objective: access to the till.
This distortion sits at the heart of our national underperformance. Too many aspire to lead not because they have a clear idea of how to transform society, but because they seek proximity to resources. Public office, in this diminished imagination, is not a platform for responsibility it is an opportunity for participation.
Yet, what is most troubling is what happens after that access is secured.
A pattern repeats itself with unnerving consistency. Those who fought hardest to “arrive” often reveal, upon arrival, that they are unprepared for the demands of leadership. They do not understand the architecture of development. They lack the exposure, the discipline, and the intellectual depth required to convert public resources into a public good.
They are neither seen where serious value is created nor present at the tables where consequential decisions are shaped. They do not engage the global networks that drive investment, innovation, and growth. They do not command the respect required to negotiate on behalf of their people. And so, governance becomes a performance of presence without substance.
This is why, despite abundant talent and resources, progress remains frustratingly slow.
Development is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate choices, informed leadership, and sustained engagement with ideas, institutions, and opportunities beyond one’s immediate environment. It requires a certain sophistication a fluency in both local realities and global dynamics. It demands leaders who can move comfortably between the grassroots and the boardroom, between the urgency of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.
We must therefore ask ourselves a hard question: is our current model of ambition sufficient for the future we claim to desire?
If ambition is merely about access, then we will continue to recycle mediocrity. If leadership is treated as entitlement rather than responsibility, then we will continue to underachieve, no matter how many plans we write or promises we make.
There is, however, another path.
It is a path defined not by the pursuit of the till, but by the pursuit of transformation. It is grounded in competence, exposure, and a genuine commitment to building systems that outlast individuals. It recognizes that leadership is not about what one can take, but about what one can create, sustain, and elevate.
This is the standard we must begin to demand. This is the mindset we must begin to cultivate.
And this is where I stand.
I do not seek access for its own sake. I seek the opportunity to build, to connect our realities with global possibilities, and to place our people where they rightfully belong—at the center of serious conversations and meaningful progress.
I am not a continuation of the familiar cycle.
I am the alternative.
Otunba Segun Showunmi
The Alternative.
@Big_Sinudo The consequences of buying a FAIRLY USED PARTY continues.
Till date, I wonder the legal advice these politicians received that made them adopt ADC as the coalition party.
Just In:
The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained INEC from recognising any state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the responsibility for conducting state congresses rests with the party’s state executive committees, not the national leadership.
The court further ruled that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting, pending the conduct of properly constituted congresses and the convocation of a national convention.
Justice Abdulmalik also held that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the party constitution empowers the caretaker/interim National Working Committee, led by David Mark, to appoint committees to conduct state congresses.
The judgment is on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026 filed by Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick as plaintiffs, suing for themselves and on behalf of all State Chairmen and State Executive Committees of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
@Amy_beke Nigerian youth.
We are addressing police brutality and you are here asking for video.
Where is your conscience, where are your manners, where is the video?
@Omoologo2027@adamugarba Your first paragraph has summarily invalidated your 974 paragraphs and I'm not interested.
Like I said, go and warm that eba before it gets too cold.
@jayveeEnergy@adamugarba Stop looking through the tribal lens
Read my second and third paragraph
Are you going to say the Chinese model is not working for China??
Lagos is the most successful of Nigeria’s fourth republic. Its success is not just a product of random accidents but product of careful planning and design.
One of the most important aspects of successful governance worldwide is predictability. Once an environment is stable, it makes businesses, economies, livelihoods and social structures attractive and productive.
Without any much ado, everyone knows that the next governor of Lagos State is, insha Allah, His Excellency, Obafemi Hamzat @drobafemihamzat, the current deputy governor of the state.
Dr. Hamzat is a person that is known, his profile is attested and his capacity is measured. This level of predictability attracts stability and confidence.
The elders and leaders of Lagos have done a great job, over time to enable such a high standard structure.
This also, won’t be possible without purposeful and deliberate leadership provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, over the course of the 4th republic journey.
If other states can copy this model, atleast, tuned to the local realities, a succession planning around group of elders, not one single individual, but collection of statesmen in each state, without greed or selfish intend, organize themselves and make deliberate and committed efforts to produce successors in the interests of their states, then each state, regardless of limitations in resources, would have grown far better around a long term plan and organizational strategy.
In every society, purposeful leadership comes first. Everything else follows.
When those that are supposed to be leaders are fighting against each other, not to support one another for the benefit of their state, like we’ve seen in some states of Nigeria, then such a society is heading for a deliberate crash.
There won’t be continuity in such a state, there won’t be predictability, there won’t be stability. Lack of these three will be replaced with uncertainty, instability and chaos.
Nigeria as a whole have a lot to learn from the stable and highly effective leadership selection system provided by Lagos State.
Adamu Garba II
@Omoologo2027@adamugarba You are already masturbating everywhere that I'm from Abia and probably Igbo, but that's the bane of the problem.
Kindly respond to my thoughts without going tribalistic.
No go warm eba chop
@jayveeEnergy@adamugarba 😆 🤣 😂 says someone from Abia where water fountain is being celebrated.
Anyway you can't argue that Lagos model is not working for the people living there.
Mention any other states in Nigeria that's better
@Big_Sinudo SAHARA ENERGY is a quota company where spots will be automatically reserved for people from a particular zone, the employment is by largely by merit and not governed by Federal Character Nonsense.
What has SIM done for the Opobo community, if you want to go that route??
Rivers Politics:
Tonye Cole took Nyesom Wike to court for defamation. How is that case going?
40m down the road, which he would have used to empower youths in his community that he has neglected for years.
2m for each Abonnema and Buguma youth doing postgraduate work studies will be better.
Tonye Cole has never impacted his community or employed them at Sahara Energy.
It's so sad.
@Big_Sinudo When will your FUBARA pick form?
Leave Kalu in Abia and focus on your weak governor.
When will 001 of APC pick form?
Or he is still scared of the FCT Minister?
@woye1 Why are you masturbating all over the place.
Only you have posted severally about Ibadan meeting wey no concern you.
Why are you jittery?
Your tears are coming too early
@woye1@officialABAT@taiwoyedele See your flawed logic.
So Minister Doris has turned to football that you pass around through several ministries.
Don't worry, the economic realities of this country is beyond these men to run.
You still shower encomiums on Budget Minister after an abysmal performance of budget
Mr. President @officialABAT I have a suggestion Sir.
1: Sir, direct specifically that @taiwoyedele should be out of radar for two months so as to re-engineer the economy and to complement or synergize with the monetary sector.
2: No press interviews.
3: No public functions except FEC and to brief President.
4: The President should bring back @DrDorisAnite as the Minister of State @FinMinNigeria from @PlanningNG to assist the HM.
-(a): Finance and Coordinating Economy Ministry dey age people faster no matter the paracetamol and sleeping drugs you take.
5: In @PlanningNG we have a hardworking Minister @atikuabagudu and an excellent, no nonsense, DG (Budget) Taminu Yakubu Kurfi. They can effectively run the place, Mr. President @officialABAT
6: let us consolidate the reform with “wet the ground”.
7: Congratulations @taiwoyedele
@Big_Sinudo Shut up abeg.
Are you not ashamed that Port Harcourt is smelling?
Must you play politics with health. Port Harcourt residents are breathing rubbish and fouled air, almost similar to the spot situation that has ravaged the town, you are here masturbating as usual to Fubara
River Politics:
Without a governor. Before the Sole Administrator arrived, it is said that he received instructions from the President and would carry out the President's orders.
2. An LGA election was held, and the winners were sworn in by the Sole administrator.
2. The Sole Administrator appointed members to the governing councils of the state's territorial institutions.
3. The Sole Administrator appointed the chairs and directors of agencies.
4. The Sole Administrator disbursed constituent project funds to Rivers State House of Assembly.
5. The Sole Administrator appointed the chairs and members of state boards.
6. Those who blame Gov Sim Fubara for RIWAMA's inefficiency should be aware of this and redirect their energies accordingly.
Rivers Politics
Chief Hon. Marcus Nle Ejii has formally declared his ambition to contest the governorship of Rivers State in 2027.
2. Currently serving as Director of Projects at the South South Development Commission.
3. He previously represented Eleme Constituency as a member of the 5th Rivers State House of Assembly, where he contributed to legislative governance.
4. He also served as a board member of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce.
5. Chief Hon. Marcus Nle Ejii is the preferred candidate of Nyesom Wike for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.
6. Ijaw people that fought Sim Fubara to boast the ego of Nyesom Wike ntoor😛. You are not fit to be governor 🤣
Politics:
A few days ago, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun introduced Senator Yayi to Bola Tinubu, the APC's preferred candidate for Ogun State governor.
Senator Aliyu Wadada, the preferred APC candidate for Nasarawa State, was introduced to President Tinubu by Governor Abdullahi Sule today.
When will Senator Dr. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, present President Bola Tinubu with his preferred candidate for Governor of Benue State, as Governor Hyacinth Alia is not his choice?
@TheoAbuAgada Man was buying newspaper pages to impress TINUBU, instead of him to get the so-called 'blessing' of the governor first.
My 2 cent, he should port to ADC and test his popularity at the polls
JUST IN: Governor Abdullahi Sule has presented Senator Aliyu Wadada, his preferred APC candidate for the Nasarawa State governorship election, to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa today.
Is it over for the Policeman?
@Big_Sinudo Instead of you to go and think about how your weak puppet governor will lose the return ticket, you are here masturbating over ADC presidential matters you have no clue about.
Ishhhh