The Advocate Lecture Series Board of Council (ALSBC) has announced that renowned conference speaker and governance advocate, Dr Charles Apoki, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Advocate Publication Annual Lecture.
The Chairman of the board, Abraham Ogbodo, made this known in a statement issued by the Secretary of the council, Shedrack Onitsha.
According to the statement, Apoki was selected after an extensive search for a speaker whose experience and perspectives align with the focus of the 2026 edition of the lecture series.
He is expected to speak on the theme, “From Ballot to Patronage: Why Electoral Victory Fails to Deliver Good Governance in Nigeria.” The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Wetland Hotel.
Organisers explained that the lecture will be followed by a panel discussion involving experts from the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations, who will further examine the issues raised in the keynote presentation.
The board noted that the 2026 lecture will focus on the widening gap between electoral success and effective governance in Nigeria. It will also explore how elections sometimes end up serving the interests of political patrons rather than the electorate.
Discussions are expected to highlight the influence of godfatherism, weak institutional checks and the growing monetisation of politics, while suggesting reforms that could strengthen democratic accountability and improve governance outcomes.
Read also:
- Akwa Ibom to launch mechanised farming initiative to tackle hunger
- Court bars AMAC from regulating food businesses in Abuja, orders ₦1.22 Million refund
- Babangida calls for improved welfare for military veterans
Apoki is a graduate of the University of Ibadan College of Medicine, where he obtained his medical degree in 1984. He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Beyond medicine, he is an ordained clergyman and widely respected public speaker who has addressed audiences across various religious and professional platforms. He frequently serves as a resource person for corporate organisations, institutions and government ministries.
He has also travelled across several countries in Africa and Europe as part of his ministry and leadership engagements.
Apoki is the convener of the Word and Wisdom Conference, a platform designed to provide leadership training and capacity development for pastors, entrepreneurs and professionals.
In addition, he is the proprietor of Petra Christian Academy, an educational institution offering nursery, primary and secondary education in Nigeria, and is well known for his work in marriage counselling and leadership development.
