Stop Playing the Devil’s Advocate
The concept of playing the “Devil’s Advocate” is well captured in the 1997 film The Devil’s Advocate, starring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. In the film, the term refers to someone who argues against something they don’t necessarily believe, often sowing confusion and distraction. In the Nigerian context, this metaphor reflects how different levels of government continue to shift blame, evading responsibility for key developmental issues. This constant act of passing the buck between federal, state, and local authorities has become a hindrance to the country’s progress, with no sector more emblematic of this than road infrastructure.
A glaring example of this behaviour is the long-standing neglect of the Agbor-Eku Road in Delta State. The road is vital to the economic and social well-being of residents, yet it remains in a deplorable condition, significantly affecting livelihoods. The state government insists that it cannot intervene as the road is a federal one, while the federal government claims it has already awarded contracts for its repair. This bureaucratic back-and-forth has left residents suffering, unable to benefit from the basic right of good infrastructure. Businesses have been stifled, transport costs have soared, and the state’s economy has waned, all because of this negligence.
However, there are instances where such lines of division are overcome for the greater good, showing that collaboration between governments is not only possible but necessary. A prime example is the intervention of Delta State’s immediate past governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba. Although this is a federal government facility, Okowa saw the need to enhance healthcare delivery and took it upon himself to construct one of the best hospital wards in the region. This act demonstrated that political boundaries should not stand in the way of service delivery to the people.
Similarly, the current Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, recently took a commendable step during a visit to the Nigerian Maritime University. In his speech, Oborevwori praised the collaboration between the state and the federal government, announcing plans to construct a road leading to the university. This kind of partnership should be the standard, not the exception. It shows that when governments work together, citizens stand to gain significantly, reaping the benefits of seamless governance.
What Nigerians expect, and indeed deserve, is nothing short of continuous collaboration among all levels of government. The development of the country should not be stifled by bureaucratic squabbles over jurisdiction. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly outlines the duties of government at all levels, and these duties cannot be shrugged off through the excuse of whose responsibility a particular road or facility is. The primary duty of any government is the welfare of the people, and all arms and levels of government must uphold this, rather than point fingers.
Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. This means that no government, whether federal, state, or local, can afford to ignore the pressing needs of the populace simply because a road or facility falls under another tier of governance. The people care little for such technicalities; they simply want functional roads, accessible healthcare, and an economy that works for them.
The unfortunate reality is that too often, leaders at various levels of government have used the “Devil’s Advocate” approach to deflect responsibility. This is especially common in road construction and maintenance, where we see endless debates about which level of government is responsible for which road. Meanwhile, the people suffer, roads deteriorate further, and the economy continues to bleed.
For example, the state of the Agbor-Eku Road not only affects residents but also stifles the movement of goods and services between major towns in Delta State, which in turn affects the state’s overall economy. When businesses are unable to move their products efficiently, they lose money. This results in higher prices for consumers, fewer jobs, and lower tax revenues for the government. Thus, the failure to maintain critical infrastructure has a ripple effect that affects everyone, including the very governments shifting the blame.
In the case of Delta State, Governor Oborevwori’s recent statements offer a glimmer of hope. His recognition of the need for cooperation between the state and federal governments is a step in the right direction. His willingness to intervene in projects like the road to the Nigerian Maritime University shows that collaboration can happen, and it should happen more often. What is required now is consistency and a clear commitment to breaking the cycle of blame-shifting that has long characterised governance in Nigeria.
It is time for Nigerian leaders to stop playing the “Devil’s Advocate” and start working together for the common good. Citizens should not be made to suffer because of bureaucratic red tape or territorialism. The welfare of the people must come first, and every level of government has a role to play in ensuring this. Only through collaboration can Nigeria begin to see the kind of development that will improve the lives of its citizens and strengthen the nation as a whole.
Ultimately, governance is about service to the people, not about scoring political points or shifting responsibility. Leaders should be reminded that they are stewards of the people’s trust and resources, and it is their duty to deliver, no matter the jurisdiction. Nigeria deserves better, and its citizens should demand nothing less.
