Nigeria as a nation could conveniently pass as a ‘’joke’’ if we critically review the euphoria and celebration that characterize political appointments and the wining of positions of power in ‘’elections’’. One would wonder if the celebration is really about the value they have come to add or about how much money would be made while in power since the most lucrative job around here seems to be politics. You might also wonder if that explains how far they could go and the levels of desperation they often display just to get to such positions or to retain power even if it would require spilling some blood, so long they achieve their selfish goals. Some youth would die defending some of these leaders just because they have access to resources that these youth are comfortable getting crumbs from. We can go on and on highlighting these seemingly normal abnormalities but the emotions it awakens is nothing compared to the fact that things have to change, else we keep moving in circles of corruption, ineptitude and stagnation. In reviewing critical areas of concern, the following seem to be the bane of leadership:
LACK OF VISION: the tenures of many leaders in office are plagued with ineptitude. What value do you add when you stumbled on an ‘opportunity’ but you were not necessarily prepared for? Welcome to Africa! Welcome to Nigeria where politics is played on everything. Here, people assume leadership roles based on compensations, luck and favouritism. Little wonder they embark on thanksgivings in places of worship and host parties to celebrate it as an achievement but end up not adding value because that was never on the scheme of the plan. They were not necessarily elected or selected based on their passion to enforce change. Most times, they were just appointed as a means to an end by some ‘King Makers’. When a supposed leader lacks vision, passion will also be lacked. More often than not, personal and selfish interests prevail over collective goals.
MEDIA LEADERSHIP STYLE: Leadership around here is famous for deceit and mediocrity. It is not uncommon for our leaders to celebrate minor projects with outrageous budgets for such execution and promoting it as a great feat all over the media and requesting to be applauded and re-elected for more time to do nothing substantial. Sometimes, the way and manner some of these media publicity is done, you’d wonder if these projects were done using their personal money or public fund? One also wonders why a man thinks he needs to be applauded for merely doing what is he is being paid to do, his job? These people have abused our sense of reasoning that many of us have forgotten that there is no other definition of a mediocre than the one who seeks praises for being ordinary. It is also true that the immunity clause has made many of these people spend years in office without executing any worthwhile projects for the citizens and got no sanctions even after their tenures. How can Nigeria get it right with such impunity?
GREED AND EMBEZZLEMENT: When there is an immunity clause to protect you, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds would come handy. Who cares about accountability and transparency around here? These days, some people say ‘’stealing the money is not as much a problem as long as you execute some projects’’. It is preposterous but that seems to be what many people have settled for. Nigerians must wake up before it is too late. Think about it, some State governors owe their workers’ salaries for several months but they pay themselves monthly and spend the security vote they receive for security meeting needs and wants that suit them while insecurity prevails. What true leader pays himself salaries when he/she is unable to pay his/her workers? What true leader would not think of strategic ways to boost the IGR of the state but would conveniently depend on security vote from the federal government perpetually. May sense fall on them!
As the saying goes, ‘’power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely’’. We believe things have to get better and it would only improve when we act and demand accountability from our these assumed leaders. First thing first, national Interest must replace personal interest. We need to redefine leadership and what leadership stands for in our dear nation – separate politics from governance. It is time to overhaul the entire system and remove the accrued incentives attached to leadership positions and political offices. We need to consciously vote in true leaders, rise above party sentiment and place our patriotism to the nation as primus inter pares. The truth remains that only a good head can keep the body healthy and even heal the ailing body. Nigeria needs leaders with character and strategy for growth. As we go to the polls to choose our leaders, let your vote count! Vote conscientiously. Vote for those with true passion and energy and care about the citizens. A positive thing to do is not allowing your vote to be determined by the money, food and other items shared by political aspirants to mortgage your future and do not be used as an instrument for violence. Make your vote count and be part of a violence-free poll, people.
In addition, building strong institutions, formal and informal institutions have proven effective in other climes; we can always choose the part of progress as people and learn. For us to have checks and balances, for us to have accountability in leadership, we need to have strong institutions. Let there be consequences! Let there be sanctions – let the judiciary be alive and above board. Sometimes, it takes one good head to replicate others. Nigerian youth need to stop selling out the future of their unborn generations for a plate of meal. To have strong institutions takes having a functional system and indeed the system is about people. People make it functional. It is high time we elected people who would make the difference and change the game. Think about leaders who are free from corruption, nepotism and visibly in touch with the realities on the ground. His or her past antecedences must show strong character, patriotism, commitment, passion, and a sense of clarity of goals, visions and responsibility. Anything less is a gamble that ends in mediocrity.
Empathy and sensitivity are very crucial qualities of a leader. Very typically, Nigeria as a nation rather than being led by people qualified to be called leaders has been ruled by those who call themselves leaders but treat their citizens as masses and people at the receiving end. It is notable to say that there is more to leadership. No sane leader would live in complete affluence while his workers languish in lack because of owed salaries. Empathy in leadership makes you an exemplary leader who is sensitive to the needs of those being led. Anyone who has the interest of the citizens at heart would always make an impact.
Lastly, we all need self-reorientation. If you sell your conscience and make those who make life miserable for the citizens become your leaders with your votes or by allowing yourself to be used as an instrument of violence for personal gains, you have chosen to settle for a quick fix. Remember, quick fix remains the postponement of the days of sorrow, those days shall definitely come if you settle for them. Think long term; think about the true character and personality of whom you are voting not the assumed character and think about Nigeria first, not a political party. Moving this country forward should be our priority and that requires collective energy.
As we go to the polls this weekend and beyond, let us be reminded that the change we desire to see begins with you and me. It is time to separate the wheat from the chaff and choose true leaders who understand what it means to serve and to be exemplary. We need a deliberate shift from where we are because the world is indeed moving with the speed of light and moving from the league of developing nations to developed nations should be the goal. That will not happen until true leaders are given the opportunity. The ball is in your court, vote wisely!
Mind fixing!
Thanks, Banja.