Redefining Leadership in Nigeria

There is no doubt that leadership is one of the fundamental problems

we face in Nigeria as a nation. It is a problem that cuts across party

divides; whether it's the APC or the PDP, leadership remains the

fulcrum that is missing in the country.
However, the popular language in the country today is economic

recession, but the question everyone probably have refused to ask is

how come we allowed ourselves to get in to the mess of recession in

the first place? How come our so-called leaders, past and present did

not see it coming and be prepared for it ahead of time? Why should the

masses pay for the mistakes of their leaders? Is that what democracy

should mean for them?
As the National Coordinator of Leadership-Project Reloaded, we not

only believe that leadership have to do with the democratic governance

of Nigeria, but we also believe and view leadership as the essential

ingredient that must be reckoned with in all endeavors of our national

lives. For Instance, for a man and a woman to stay and live together

in peace and harmony, the husband as the head of the family must show

leadership. In the same token, leadership is not by style, but an act

that is predicated on sacrifice. In our country today, it is no longer

news that 27 states of the 36 states of the federation are unable to

pay workers salary which is the least of all the things expected from

a leader and yet some of the so-called leaders at the state levels are

busy spending tax payers money on frivolities.
How can Nigeria be great again when 70 percent of its population are

unemployed? How can Nigeria be great again when pipelines are been

vandalised on daily basis? How can Nigeria be great again when our

tertiary institutions are breeding grounds for prostitution and

brigandages instead of being the centre for innovation that will move

the nation forward?
If the man who headed the Nigerian National Democratic Party, the

first political party in Nigeria formed in 1923 by Herbert Macaulay is

to come out from his grave, will be happy with the situation of

Nigeria today?
The answer is certainly no! Therefore, there is missing link some where.

In my view, I believe that for Nigeria to be great again, all those

who wants to run for varrious elective positions in 2019 from the

Presidential election through the Senatorial and Governorship

elections to the Councillorship elections should start rethinking

governance in their minds because the mind is the centre of all human

activities before it's being put in to practice.

As for me and my members in the Leadership Projected Reloaded, we will

contitnue to mobilise Nigerians of all tribes, religion and

orientation for the great task of producing better and quality leaders

that will take Nigeria to her dream land of being the first among the

equals. Though the challenge may not be easy but as a stakeholder in

Nigerian politics who also believe that leadership is a sacrifice, I

and my group will do our best in this regard!
Based on the foregoing, I call on the Independent National Electoral

Commission to start voters education now that politicians are busy

planning for next elections. Starting voters revalidation and

registration of Nigerians who have reached the age of 18 years now

will also help them to improve our elections in 2019.

Finally, I call on the National Assembly to ensure adequate budgetary

provisions for INEC in its 2017 appropriation for better preparations

because failure to plan is planning to fail.
Chief Marcus Okotete is the National Coordinator of Leadership Project Reloaded