By Peter Omopo
President has said ethical leadership and strong institutions remain the most reliable path to achieving peace, justice and sustainable development in an increasingly polarised world.
The President made the assertion at the Global Council for Political Renewal (GCPR) Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Represented at the event by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Tinubu presented Nigeria’s position on good governance, institutional reforms and human rights, stressing that ethical political conduct is no longer optional.
“We are living in a time of deep political and ideological polarisation, where misinformation spreads faster than truth,” he said. “The challenge before us is how to protect free expression while restoring responsibility, civility and trust in public discourse.”
Speaking on domestic reforms, the President said his administration is strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional performance under its Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Public office is a trust. Our reforms are focused on modernising institutions, reducing leakages, and ensuring that governance decisions improve the daily lives of citizens,” he noted.
Tinubu highlighted ongoing people-centred social and economic interventions, youth-focused initiatives and efforts to promote the responsible use of technology, including digital platforms.
He described political renewal as a continuous process rather than a one-time event.
“Political renewal is not a single event. It is a continuous effort to build institutions, protect democratic space, and deliver real value to the people,” he said.
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the founding ideals of the GCPR, which promote dialogue, justice and peace across nations, emphasising the need for international cooperation amid global economic uncertainty and security challenges.
“No country is immune to these pressures,” he said, adding that sustained dialogue and partnership are essential for global stability.
Tinubu also expressed Nigeria’s readiness to contribute to the development of a global roadmap for ethics, justice, peace and development, drawing from its experience as a diverse democracy committed to unity and inclusion.
Dignitaries at the conference included the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini and President of the GCPR, Russell Mmiso Dlamini; the Secretary-General of the GCPR, Prof. Furio Honsell; the Prime Minister of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta; and the President of the National Assembly of the Central African Republic, Simplice Mathew Sarandji, among others.
