In Nigeria’s history, leadership has been a crucial factor in determining the level of development a state or region experiences.
While democracy is often praised as the best form of government, history suggests that some military administrators outperformed their democratic counterparts.
One remarkable example is Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia, the late former Military Governor of the
Mid-Western Region (later Bendel State, now Edo and Delta States).
Ogbemudia’s tenure (1967–1975) saw unprecedented development, raising a fundamental question: Is the military government more effective than democracy in Nigeria?
His achievements suggest that a leaner government structure, free from bureaucratic bottlenecks, delivers better results. See some of his remarkable accomplishments as military governor of the Mid-West region (Edo/Delta)
here.
Ogbemudia’s Leadership: A Model of Effective Governance
The late Samuel Ogbemudia
Ogbemudia’s administration focused on infrastructural development, industrialization, and economic growth. Despite ruling for only eight years, his legacies remain unmatched in Edo and Delta States. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Massive road construction and urban planning in Benin City and beyond.
- Establishment of educational institutions, including the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
- Development of sports facilities, such as the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
- Industrialization and job creation through various state-owned enterprises.
His ability to achieve so much within a short time raises concerns about why democratic governments struggle to deliver similar results, even with longer tenures.
Military vs. Democracy: The Ogbemudia Example
Unlike elected governors who spend billions on maintaining a legislative arm, Ogbemudia governed without a legislature, allowing funds to be directly allocated to development projects. Democracy, by contrast, encourages political maneuvering, excessive spending, and slow decision-making.
Key factors that made Ogbemudia’s military rule more effective than democracy include:
No Legislative Delays
In a democracy, projects often get stuck due to legislative debates, approvals, and bureaucratic red tape.
Ogbemudia could implement policies without unnecessary delays.
No Wasteful Spending on Legislators
Democratically elected governments spend billions on maintaining senators, lawmakers, and political appointees. Ogbemudia’s administration channeled funds directly into infrastructure, education, and industries.
Swift Policy Execution
Democratic governments are burdened by political interference, party interests, and lobbying. Ogbemudia had a clear vision and executed projects without political distractions.
The Local Government Factor: More LGAs, Less Development?
A critical observation is that as the number of Local Government Areas (LGAs) increased, development slowed down.
- Ogbemudia’s era: 14 LGAs – rapid development.
- Ambrose Alli’s era (1979–1983, democratic rule): 19 LGAs – moderate development.
- Present-day Edo State: 23 LGAs – stagnation.
This suggests that more LGAs do not necessarily translate to more development. Instead, they create more political positions, more opportunities for corruption, and more funds spent on administration rather than infrastructure.
Was Ogbemudia’s Success Due to His Indigenous Ties?
Unlike some military governors who had no personal attachment to their states, Ogbemudia was an indigene of the Mid-Western Region. This could explain his deep commitment to development. His tenure raises an important point:
Leaders with personal stakes in a region tend to be more invested in its growth.
Could this be why some non-indigenous military governors failed to make an impact?
Conclusion: Should Nigeria Rethink Its Governance System?
Ogbemudia’s tenure proves that a leaner, more decisive government structure delivers better results. While democracy offers representation and freedom, its inefficiencies in Nigeria suggest that it may not be the best system for rapid development.
Key Takeaways
1. Military governance (without excessive bureaucracy) can drive faster development.
2. Democracy in Nigeria is wasteful, with too many political positions consuming resources.
3. Increasing the number of LGAs has not improved development but has created more avenues for corruption.
4. Strong leadership, not just governance structure, determines success.
While a return to military rule is not an option, Nigeria must rethink its governance system to minimize waste and maximize efficiency.
The Ogbemudia model is a lesson in how focused leadership can transform a state – something modern democratic leaders have failed to replicate.
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