#FixPolitics Celebrates 5 Years with Bold Call to Action: Launch of the PADI Index and Focus on Youth, Values, and Gender Inclusion

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The #FixPolitics 5th Anniversary was a powerful mandate for continent-wide political transformation, marked by the official launch of a homegrown accountability tool, the Political Accountability and Democracy Index (PADI) Nigeria. The event was headlined by Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.

The conference’s strategic core was the unveiling of the PADI Index, which will provide a data-driven “report card” on Nigeria’s political health. Bunmi Lawson, Co-Coordinating Chair of WSG 3, framed the index as a necessary shift: “Nigeria should not perpetually rely on external indices but needs its own measure to properly diagnose and track political health.”

PADI, deliberately named after the Nigerian Pidgin word for “friend,” is designed to ask citizens: “How friendly is our government?”

Tito Aderoju, Co-Coordinating Chair of WSG 1, detailed the index’s metrics, which prioritise production and citizen empowerment. She underscored the futility of passive civic engagement by asking rhetorically: “Can you compete with [N300 million]?”—referencing the monthly allocation of a local government chairman. The only sustainable solution, she argued, is for citizens to “enter the political space and control the distribution of public resources.”

Alero Ayida-Otobo, CEO of SPPG Africa, provided key performance indicators for the movement itself, noting that while 55 SPPG graduates ran in the last Nigerian primaries, only 16 were successful, a metric that highlights how “the political system is more broken than we realise.” PADI’s long-term vision is to scale its methodology across Africa, with the official Nigeria report due to launch in 2026.

The fireside chat between Dr Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili and Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka linked political transformation to deeply personal values and the necessity of gender equality.

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka encouraged those entering politics and becoming policymakers, to be intentional about the policies they set, because policies must be designed to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve. She emphasized that “If you step forward to be a leader, it must be because you intend to do good; otherwise, don’t become one.”

“As a politician, you must consider everything and everyone who will be impacted by your decisions. Remember that you are a role model, whether you like it or not, because people look up to you. If you step forward to be a leader, it must be because you intend to do good; otherwise, don’t become one. It is better not to be a leader than to be a bad leader, as misleading people has caused much of the trouble our continent faces. One bad leader can take a country down a dangerous path, but one good leader can pull us back and take us forward. You must be that good leader,” Dr Phumzile advised.

She further cautioned against social norms that suppress critical thinking and civic participation, noting “If we continue to groom silence as respect and intimidation as tradition, then we should not be surprised when our people grow up afraid to ask questions of those who govern them.”

Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili reflected on the broader journey toward Africa’s renewal, “If we’re gonna solve the problem of Africa, It will take all these generations. acting together.”

The leaders emphasized that gender parity is an economic imperative, not a charitable cause. Dr. Oby argued: “The nations that ignored the girls and simply say they don’t matter, you can see the disparity in economic achievement. The divide is so large, it’s unbelievable. So, when we say ensure you are building an inclusive society, not a society where misogyny holds back half of the population, we are not actually just preaching for the benefit of women, we are preaching for the benefit of the nation.”

Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka added that it is essential for women to succeed in whatever areas they choose, and to be supported by their partners, brothers, fathers, and to be encouraged. Just as it is important for the woman to support the husband, son, brother etc.

Mr. Frank Nweke II, Chair of #FixPolitics, delivered a stirring speech, acknowledging Africa’s youthful energy but warning that it must be channeled politically.

Nweke II noted a dangerous disparity: “More young Africans are making an impact in private and civic spaces than in public leadership… Too few have carried that same spirit of service and integrity into politics itself. This must change.”

His message was unequivocal: “We cannot outsource politics.” He charged the youth to directly engage in the political process, warning that failure to participate guarantees undesirable outcomes.

“If our young people don’t show up, others certainly will… When this happens, we lose the right to complain about the quality of leadership we end up with.”

He urged collaboration over competition, stating, “Our future demands coalitions, not competition, because shared responsibility is the engine of shared prosperity.” Above all, he called for anchoring all political action in values, quoting Dr Phumzile: “If we continue to groom silence as respect and intimidation as tradition, then we should not be surprised when our people grow up afraid to ask questions of those who govern them.”

A panel of SPPG graduates moderated by Ayobami Olunloyo showcased practical solutions for africa’s governance;

Zimchim Andrea advised youths to “organize solutions without waiting for permission.”

Musibau Lasisi emphasized that technology is not the solution but an enabler, urging governments to stop “throttling the internet.”

Clementine Usman-Wamba highlighted the CAP App—a civic tech tool that gives citizens a voice—stressing that technology must be used to democratize information and guard against misinformation.
The panelists’ final word was a push to bridge the gap between citizens and power: “Stop punishing curiosity in schools and at homes,” and make “civic participation digital by default.”

The conference concluded with a celebration of the #FixPolitics anniversary, uniting delegates from across Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and Cameroon, among others. The final sentiment, echoing the entire conference’s spirit, was a commitment to continued action and solidarity, positioning the movement for a strong future. The goal is to build a principled generation that will successfully transform the continent.