Without bias, if one was privileged to rate our political leaders from 1999 to 2019 using factors such as leadership, economy, technology, power supply, education, health, roads, security and corruption- the scores will not be inspiring. Poor governance occasioned by weak leadership is responsible for the lackluster performance of successive governments. Let’s be honest with ourselves, a nation of almost 200 million people cannot continue to walk leisurely along the pathway of development without committed leaders who are willing to take the country to the Promised Land.
Buhari, Atiku and other presidential candidates, as well as National Assembly (NASS) aspirants, have been presented by their political parties to Nigerians for elections. Nigerians will, in less than a week, decide the fate of Buhari, Atiku and others seeking election into political offices at the federal executive and legislative arms of government. I hope the electorate would vote wisely in a way that Nigeria wins. Nigeria wins only if committed political leaders with “proven track record of success” are elected, and there is peace throughout the country after elections. Those not elected should accept defeat gracefully and move on with life. And if they have any petition on electoral matters, election tribunal of appropriate jurisdiction should be approached to seek justice. Politics should not be a do-or-die affair.
Who are those to be elected by Nigerians to serve almost 200 million people? Is it Buhari or Atiku? Or are all elected federal lawmakers preferred choices of the people? Will the newly elected political leaders have the grace to deliver about 100 million Nigerians from the shackles of poverty? I do think that those to be elected have been blessed with the grace to lead. It’s all about leadership.I really mean it- quality leadership, not the cosmetic type.
Frankly, the development of any nation does not only depend on economic growth alone, it is also a function of the quality of leadership in all strata of the society. As a concerned citizen who is bothered about the quality of leadership in our country, I posted a contribution in the Harvard Business Review recently preparatory to the general elections to confirm whether leaders are born or made. Within three weeks, almost three hundred comments emerged across the globe with very thought-provoking and illuminating comments. Some of the commentators are of the view that leaders are born, while others believe that leaders are made. There are those who believe that unless leaders are born they cannot be made. Individually or collectively, we are all eligible to express our views on the leadership question in Nigeria.
Culture plays a significant role in the ways leaders emerge in any society. Until we redefine our culture as a people, the chances are high that those that will be voted into office in 2019 will have same values as those that will vacate office. Due to inherent weakness in democracy, we must work hard to have a culture that can drive democracy. We must develop a culture of building strong institutions and adherence to the rule of law. If we don’t have this culture and we allow our political leaders to emerge through intrigues and mischief, then the nation is on its way to Armageddon. Why? Although, democracy confers the power on the people to choose a leader or leaders of their choice, it is a “rigged game”as long as it endures. It is a “rigged game” because right from the party level- nomination of candidates for elective posts at local, state, and federal levels- have been fixed in a cloudy manner to guarantee a desired outcome. The winner is predetermined in most cases beforehand, and that is why the risk of violence is increased during electioneering. With strong institutions and rule of law, a country can overcome some of the inherent challenges of democracy. Otherwise, when political leaders emerge through intrigues and mischief the country they lead pays the ultimate price for such an anomaly.
Leadership is not about popularity, it is about taking responsibility. Political leadership at all levels of government is about delivering service to the people and prudent management of resources. It is about the well-being of the people. When Nigerians talk of change what do they mean? They mean change in leadership motivated by choice and desire for a prosperous and economically developed nation. While continuity in leadership is not that forced on the people, but earned through strategic, bold and well thought out vision for the country.
The choice for change or continuity of political leadership belongs to the people. Most Nigerian leaders have often claimed to be pragmatic and committedin a bid to conceal their inadequacies. But their pragmatism and commitment only epitomize disappointment, consent to underdevelopment and the status quo, a recognition that nothing else is possible and an indulgence in failure. Using Plato’s metaphor of the metal in which men are categorized as gold, silver and lead, most of those who have led or aspiring to leadership positions in Nigeria would indisputably be lead of the lowest possible grade available within the country. In our clime, outsourcing of leadership positions and responsibilities to subordinates who are inept is common in public offices.
One hopes that the experience of the electorate occasioned by poverty in the midst of plenty will enable it determine which direction the pendulum of voting will swing in this year’s elections.
It should be noted that the political arena needs either a change or continuity in leadership in this year’s elections.
Those who are professionals in fabricating leaders through intrigues and mischief should desist from doing so. Nigerians must be given the opportunity to have either a change or continuity in leadership which is an expression of their collective will. Nigeria is greater than any individual or groups of people, and thus, those singing anarchic and treasonable songs should desist urgently.
MA Johnson
