2023: Highly Expecting God To Appoint Leaders Who Can Rebuild Nigeria

By Isaac Asabor

There is no denying the fact that when it comes to human government that the Bible portrays God as actively involved in order to accomplish his purposes. For instance Romans, chapter 13 teaches that God established governmental authority. This is a bewildering statement, for Paul wrote it when the evil Roman Emperor Nero, who persecuted Christians, ruled.

Without any iota of exaggeration, God has the power to install and depose kings. As clearly stated in Daniel 2:20-21 God changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. As the ultimate king, He can use good as well as bad people to accomplish His will in the world so that His highest good will ultimately take place.

It will be recalled in this context that God has raised up wicked leaders in the past. Habakkuk 1:6 teaches that God raised up Babylon in order to discipline Israel for their sin. God allowed Pilate, who sanctioned the execution of Jesus, to accomplish his will of having Jesus die for the sin of the world (John 19:11).

Be that as it may, it is instructional to say that every ruler is accountable to God for how he or she uses authority. Isaiah 13:17-19 teaches that the Medo-Persian Empire would be raised up to destroy Babylon. Babylon was still held accountable for their excesses of violence, even though God granted them the power to exercise their strength over others in the first place.

There is no denying the fact that we cannot always know God’s purposes for leaders. Pilate and the leaders of the Jews who crucified Jesus were allowed to come into an authority in Jerusalem, and it was they, in their evil behavior, who caused Jesus’s earthly death. We can’t understand God’s will without having a divine perspective (Romans 11:33-34). But we can trust that ultimately, everything will align with God’s purpose and plans in the world, and they are plans for the ultimate good.

Given the foregoing backdrop, it is not an exaggeration to say that leadership, without a doubt, has been underpublic scrutiny since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) blew the kick-off whistle for the 2023 general elections campaigns in line with its scheduled timetable. The reason the electorate became so meticulous about the quality of leadership they expect to have in 2023, and the personae behind such leadership cannot be farfetched as not a few Nigerians are looking up to God’s chosen leaders to take various reins of power, come 2023. They are not looking up to leaders that are packaged by hypocritical followers, particularly as they are purveyors of undemocratic and anti-people happenings that usually lead to wastage, loss of life, and hopelessness, thus making many people to be disappointed and turned off.

Against the foregoing backdrop, there is no denying the fact that when the question is posed about what type of leader is desirable, the response is often about one characteristic: “Trust”. People want a trustworthy leader.

People are generally attracted to charismatic leadership and other external qualities. Some look for age or gender; others support educational qualifications; while still, others regard to background and social standing as good criteria for leadership. But God's criteria is in II Samuel 16:7.

God looks at the heart, and a godly leader is trustworthy and fears God as indicated in Proverbs 9:10. Now the big question. “What if the leader is popular with the people, but not with God?” Our leaders should know that regardless of their academic qualifications or how learned they may be, all of those criteria are futile unless they fear God.

When leaders fear God, He always extends their administration and their life. God will give them the ability to motivate and encourage the people through difficult times. Their source is God, and God is whom they pull from, which allows them to perform beyond their planned goals and objectives. Ultimately, they earn the respect and trust of those whom they lead.

Trustworthy leaders change with times and seasons. They are not stuck in their old ways. They are always willing to learn. They are not intimidated by young, bright, or gifted people.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to urge aspiring leaders that would by the grace of God be part of the crop of leaders that will emerge in 2023; after theexpected successful conduct of the presidential and general elections to learn from the eagle; study the characteristics of the eagle. There are times when they have to pull away from everyone and evaluate themselves and make adjustments in areas of weakness or failure. They must nurture those whom they lead. They should not be afraid of the storms of life but should use them to bring them to higher heights. They must be visionary, and their vision must focus on the basic things of life, such as water, health, education, and housing.

It is germane to say at this juncture that a good leader pleases God first, then, in turn, pleases the people. If they try to please the people first instead of God, they will commit political suicide. In the same vein, a good leader takes the lead and is not afraid to take responsibility when something goes wrong. In fact, a good leader does not blame others or use them as scapegoats.

Also expressing this view from the perspective of the foregoing, it is expedient to say that a good leader avoids gossip and arrogance. He must always remember that the one who gossips with him will do it against him too. He must also be objective, be just and make sacrifices.

Of more importance is that a good leader avoids greed. A lot of decisions have been made on the basis of monetary values. This engenders bribery and corruption, including kickbacks and intimate favors. Decisions should be made with grace, mercy, and compassion.

Even if it is difficult to find a good leader that possess all the right criteria, it is expedient, above all, for him to be honest. For many people, it is the number-one criterion.

In fact, as we are all hopefully looking towards 2023, it is germane to urge every leader to undergo self-evaluation. Leaders should urge their media teams to distribute questionnaires to garner information about their leadership style and effectiveness, particularly as they plan to contest for re-election. The reason for the garnering of information about their leadership style cannot be farfetched as such findings will give them the opportunity to find out whether they are seen to be approachable, arrogant, untrustworthy, or otherwise.

At this juncture, permit me to direct the following questions to the presidential aspirants among them. “Do you possess integrity, loyalty, or honesty? Do you know the overall purpose and goals of Nigeria as a country? Are you a team player, a risk-taker, and willing to learn new things? Do you truly love the people, the poor? Do you say one thing and do the next? Do you hide behind PR or spin doctors?

Based on the current national problems which cut across unemployment, kidnapping, banditry, threat of secession, and the resulting hopelessness among the people, it is going to be critical how we rate, package and promote political aspirants ahead of 2023 elections, particularly the top four presidential aspirants. To some of us in the Christendom, we should always have it at the back of our minds that when God is going to either bless a nation or punish a nation, He raises up the leader. The greatest threat ahead is leaders who don't seek God but focus on personal mandates, motives, and legacies. It is imperative for all to pray that God will raise up good leaders regardless of political affiliation, and it is also important to vote for good leaders come February, 2023.

Without doubt, we need leaders we can trust to put the country above political affiliation, who will not compromise on moral values; who will not defile the nation! We need leaders who will begin to gather those who are builders, not just followers.

Therefore, as the drumbeats to 2023 is loudly emitting staccato sounds, it is imperative for the electorates to seek God to discern His will on who to vote for during the oncoming general and presidential elections. This is because the political choices we make in this period of electioneering, and in turn influence who to be voted for in 2023 will be critical for the direction of Nigeria. It is against the foregoing milieu that not a few Nigerians are worried that some followers that have a predilection to “Stomach Infrastructure” and are collectively neck-deep in “Chop-I-chop” politics are by each passing day ‘packaging’ and brazenly promoting certain candidates that are in the assessment of not a few political observers to be unfit to preside over the affairs of the country.

Be that as it may, it is expedient to say that Nigerians undoubtedly have high expectations that God would in His infinite mercy appoint good leaders for Nigeria, come February 2023.

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