Leadership Without Secrets: The Transparency Nigeria Deserves -By Idris Rufai

Nigeria’s democracy continues to raise important questions about leadership, accountability and transparency. At the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Annual Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, discussions surrounding the country’s security challenges and allegations about interests benefiting from insecurity raised concerns that Nigerians should not ignore.

One of the panelists reportedly raised a serious allegation that certain government officials, political elites and security actors may be financially benefiting from the prolonged security crisis in the country. The panelist further suggested that some illicit funds and profits allegedly derived from the crisis could be channelled into cattle investments.
These are serious allegations, and they should not simply be accepted as established facts without credible evidence. However, they deserve appropriate attention and, where necessary, investigation by the relevant authorities because insecurity continues to affect the lives, businesses and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

For me, the larger question is not only about who benefits from insecurity, but also about the standard of transparency expected from anyone seeking public office. Nigerians deserve leaders whose personal and professional histories can withstand reasonable public scrutiny.

Why should it be difficult for a person seeking to lead millions of Nigerians to provide credible and legally verifiable documentation about their background, particularly where questions arise concerning their history, identity, qualifications or activities in another country? This is not necessarily about whether a person has achieved excellent results or possesses impressive certificates. It is fundamentally about honesty, openness and the willingness to place relevant information before the people they seek to govern.

Democracy gives citizens the right to choose their leaders, but that choice can only be meaningful when voters have access to reliable information about the people presenting themselves for public office. Transparency should therefore not begin after a person has been elected. It should begin before the election, when candidates are seeking the trust of the people.

I believe Nigeria should strengthen its mechanisms for verifying the backgrounds and records of individuals seeking important public offices. Any requirement of this nature, however, must be lawful, uniform and applicable to all candidates, regardless of political party, religion, region or social status. It should not be designed to target particular individuals or political groups.

The fight against insecurity also requires a broader approach. Security challenges cannot be addressed only through military operations or police deployments. Government must investigate the economic and political interests that may sustain criminal activities while strengthening institutions responsible for justice, intelligence, financial accountability and law enforcement.

If credible evidence exists that individuals are profiting from insecurity, those responsible should be investigated and prosecuted according to the law. At the same time, allegations should not be used as political weapons. Nigerians deserve facts, evidence and justice not rumours and political speculation.
Good governance requires leaders who are willing to answer legitimate questions from citizens. It requires institutions that are strong enough to investigate allegations without fear or favour. Most importantly, it requires citizens who are informed enough to demand accountability from those entrusted with public resources and authority.

Nigeria deserves better. The country’s insecurity must be confronted from its roots, including the political, economic and institutional factors that allow criminality to survive. Transparency in the selection and scrutiny of political leaders should be part of that broader strategy.

The Nigerian people are not merely voters; they are the owners of the democratic mandate. Anyone seeking their trust should be prepared to demonstrate integrity, accountability and honesty. Leadership is a public responsibility, and transparency should be the beginning not the end of that responsibility.