The Ethos of Omoluabi Vanguard (ETHOVAN), a leading civil society organization in Nigeria, has strongly condemned the growing trend of former state governors securing automatic tickets to the Senate immediately after leaving office.
Speaking at a press conference held at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, the President of ETHOVAN, Bashorun Adekunle Adeshokan, described the practice as a major setback to democratic accountability and good governance.
ETHOVAN, which has been actively monitoring Nigeria’s democratic development since 1999, expressed concern that this trend is gradually becoming an entrenched political norm that, if unchecked, could lead to systemic corruption and unaccountability.
Adeshokan criticized the automatic ticketing system, stating that many outgoing governors do not seek Senate positions to contribute to legislative development but rather to evade scrutiny for their actions while in office.
“The Senate, a crucial institution for national policymaking, is increasingly being reduced to a ‘retirement home’ for former governors, many of whom left behind legacies of corruption, mismanagement, and poor governance in their states,” he said.
He warned that the practice serves as a loophole for governors who may have been involved in financial mismanagement and other unethical practices during their administration. By securing Senate seats without facing public scrutiny, these individuals avoid accountability for their tenure.
ETHOVAN urged all political parties to end the practice of granting former governors automatic Senate tickets. The group advocated for a mandatory hiatus for ex-governors, allowing them to reintegrate with the people they once governed before seeking new political positions.
“Political parties must prioritize internal democracy, ensuring that Senate tickets are earned through merit and public trust, rather than being handed out as political compensation,” Adeshokan emphasized.
He further called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to intensify investigations into former governors, ensuring that public office is not used as a shield against justice.
ETHOVAN commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for setting an example by taking a break from legislative politics after his tenure as governor before returning to contest for the presidency. Adeshokan noted that such an approach allows for public appraisal and re-engagement with the electorate before seeking higher office.
The organization called on civil society groups, political stakeholders, and the general public to push for reforms that will put an end to the unhealthy cycle of career politicians moving from one public office to another without meaningful breaks for self-assessment.
“Democracy thrives on accountability and fresh ideas. It is time we stop this culture of recycling politicians at the expense of genuine representation,” Adeshokan stated.
ETHOVAN reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, good governance, and democratic accountability in Nigeria’s political system.
