All is set for the 80th Inaugural Lecture of the Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, by 11:am in the morning with the University auditorium serving as venue.
In a statement made available to Business Hilights on Monday by Professor Jemima Ogwo, Chairperson, Senate Ceremonials Committee, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ndukwe J Okeudo, disclosed that the lecturer for the 80th Inaugural Lecture of the Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), will be Professor Dick Ogburanwa Uduma, distinguished Professor of Political Science.
The topic is ‘Interrogating the Centrality of MachtPolitik in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic’
The statement noted that “All should be seated by 10.30am before the arrival of the Vice-Chancellor’s procession.
A brief Profile about the Lecturer as obtained by our correspondent showed as follows;
Dick Ogburanwa Uduma is a Professor of Political Science (Governance and Development Studies) at the Abia State University, Uturu. He graduated with Distinction for his NCE from Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri and later graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. After his Master’s Degree, earned a Ph.D in the same University in 2007.
Prof Dick Uduma has to his credit well over 100 journal articles published (local and international) and 11 published Textbooks to his credit. He has published in five different sub-disciplines of Political Science which includes governance, political economy, comparative politics, international relations and political theory.
An accomplished academic, he has supervised well over sixteen (16) Ph.D. Students, 50 M.Sc. Dissertations and many others still under his tutelage. He has been a consultant to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in different fora; as well as served as European Union Election observer at different periods during the National Elections in Nigeria.
As a consummate administrator, Prof. Uduma has served as Head, Department of Political Science, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and presently serves as Dean, Students Affairs of Abia State University, Uturu. In the area of community service, Prof. Uduma has served his State as Local Government Chairman of a party and as well as Special Adviser to the Governor on different occasions.
His career therefore, is a reflection of commitment to academic excellence, research and community service.
In this Inaugural Lecture, Prof. Dick Uduma interrogates the Centrality of Machtpolitik in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Machtpolitik, a German term meaning “power politics,” refers to the pursuit of power and influence through any means, often disregarding moral or ethical considerations. In the context of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, Machtpolitik involves the abuse of power, manipulation of institutions, and exploitation of resources to maintain and expand political influence. The key features of this lecture are seen in the pursuit of power and self-interest, abuse of authority and resources, manipulation of institutions and laws and disregard for human rights and democratic principles.
Therefore its impact on Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is that it Undermines democratic governance and accountability, perpetuates corruption, impunity, and electoral malpractices, fosters inequality, poverty, and social injustice and Threatens national stability and development.
The overall objective is to examine the manifestations and impact of Machtpolitik in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, analyze the role of institutions, laws, and leadership in perpetuating or curbing Machtpolitik and identify reforms to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. The expected outcomes are the manifestation of insights into the dynamics of Machtpolitik in Nigeria, recommendations for electoral, institutional, and policy reforms and a framework for promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
