Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, has called on Nigerian politicians to refrain from using insecurity as a political weapon against their opponents. In her keynote address at the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of prioritizing security for socio-economic development, rather than exploiting it for political gain.
She lamented that Nigeria’s security challenges have been exacerbated by political actors who instigate insecurity to discredit their opponents, regardless of the devastating consequences for innocent lives and property.
Okonjo-Iweala’s address, titled “A Social Contract For Nigeria’s Future,” stressed the need for politicians to work together to address the country’s security issues, rather than using them as a tool for political advantage. Her words serve as a timely reminder of the importance of prioritizing the nation’s well-being over political interests.