As Nigerians Search For A Promising President, Let’s Consider Tinubu’s Leadership Qualities

As a Nigerian that is on her own appraising the political backgrounds and leadership qualities of some of the presidential aspirants that are variously flying the flags of different political parties ahead of the 2023 presidential elections, permit me to urge fellow Nigerians to spare a thought on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s backgrounds as a politician and as a leader before parochially focusing on the state of his health and age. By virtue of seeing Nigeria’s economy as the bigger picture, I have expressed my view on Peter Obi’s political and leadership backgrounds.

I must confess that the rationale behind my resort to holistically peep into the political and leadership backgrounds of some of the presidential aspirants is to ascertain who and who among the aspirants has the leadership capacity to salvage Nigeria’s economy from further deterioration, thus the next election is not the type of election where anyone’s vote will be influenced by primitive sentiments that cut across party, ethnic and religious affiliations. In fact, the primacy of leadership qualities, stellar antecedents, commitment and capacity to turn the corner, should not be lost on any of the aspirants. In reality, the country is in dire straits across the board. Therefore, the country needs competent aspirants that a good leadership recruitment process should produce.

In fact, for decades, the heroes in our society have been entertainment figures, athletes, and other media creations who, more often than not, utterly lack character. Slowly but surely, this kind of thinking has even crept into politics. Unfortunately, many of today’s political leaders are cut from the same mold as our national heroes. Some of them are tribal and religious jingoists, admired for their predilection to spray money in a manner that is reminiscent of the legendary Robin Hood who was reputed in novels and films to have the tendency to rob the rich and give to the poor. Sad enough, those the society dubbed to be political leaders unarguably come across as populist and grassroots mobilizers, admired for how much crumbs they can throw away to the downtrodden through the windows of their cars and their collective prowess as smooth talkers rather than because they have what it takes to deliver the proverbial “dividends of democracy” on the one hand, and fix the economy on the other hand.

Nigerians have from one political dispensation to the other being shocked, and rightly so, when a nationally known political leader admits to be involved in obtaining money shared from gargantuan sleaze. Besides, some have being caught red-handed involved in shenanigans that are out rightly condemnable and detrimental to national development.

Then, at this juncture, it is compelling to ask, what is it that makes a real political leader in government? I must confess that in the bid to answer the foregoing question that I was patriotically inspired to identify the leadership qualities that Bolaji Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential ticket bearer possessesrather than looking at what his traducers have kept hammering on ostensibly to politically bring him to ridicule in the eyes of the electorates.

In his speech upon clinching the party’s ticket early this month, Tinubu who holds sway as the National Leader of the APC, promised to erase terrorism in Nigeria if elected, and also promised to hit the ground running from day one. Having given the assurance, he asserted that “My experience as Executive Governor of Lagos makes me unique among other aspirants. I am competent to start from day one.”

To copiously quote him in this context, he said, “My experience in office and the knowledge gained through hard work, tough trials and party-related undertakings have prepared me for this hour. I am a man of purpose with a serious mission. My vow is to use all that I know and all of my abilities to the benefit of the nation and its people. I do not step forward because I think this nomination is my due. I step forward because I can help lead our nation to become what it ought to be.

“I do not say this as a boast. Hear me out. I claim not to be special nor great. My training, experiences, acquired knowledge are what is special, and uniquely suited for this moment. I am merely a conduit, a servant of a cause much larger than myself.

“Now is a time for progressive vision and singular purpose. There is a general agreement that 2023 will be an encounter with destiny, when our nation shall need a certain type of leader to realize Nigeria.

“We need to build a Nigeria where sufficient jobs for the urban population are available and lead to a good life most wholly benefits the nation. Think big at this moment that we may accomplish great things in the next APC administration that will come on 29 May 2023.

“My experience in office and the knowledge gained through hard work, tough trials and patient undertaking have prepared me for the job”.

Sandra Ijeoma Okoye (Author)