2023: Beyond Sentiments, Nigeria Needs A Good Leader To Reposition The Economy

It is not an overstatement to say that there has been a worsening crisis of misgovernance, noticeable undemocratic practices, increasing cases of insecurity, clear shreds of evidence of poor political representation,and apparent signs of general underdevelopment in Nigeria as a democratic country. All these are largely due to pervasive and widespread prebendalism and primordial sentiments that have been with the democratic system of government since its adoption in 1999. In fact, with each passing political dispensation, there have been worrisome prebendalism that is getting more pervasive, critical, and damaging as it continues to eat deeper into the nation’s political fabric so much so that Nigeria and Nigerians have for the umpteenth time suffered due to the wrong choice of inept leaders.

However, as Nigeria stands on the threshold of mismanaging or managing the opportunity that the next political dispensation, come 2023 presents, we must consider the critical role that leadership plays in the running of a country.

There is no denying the fact that the country needs good leadership in every aspect of its activity. To put it clearly, the country needs good leaders that possess vision, and not raw ambition to manage its affairs. Simply put, leadership is the ability to lead and motivate a nation to achieve its desired goals.

In fact, a retrospective glimpse into the book of the world’s political history shows that not a few nations are replete with examples of leaders that saved their nations from great economic or military crises while other leaders failed at their mission, with tragic results for their people in the short and long term. The foregoing shows that some leaders were groomed by mentors over many years and given progressively more challenging assignments to hone their skills, test their temperament, and allow them to evolve into leaders who can deal with temporary setbacks and disappointments, as well as a great success, while others just thrust leadership position upon themselves; probably as a result of the bucks and perks that are inherent and derivable from political leadership positions.

These situations are either accompanied by great arrogance or necessary humility and hardly anything in between. Other leaders arise from almost nowhere, seizing the moment of opportunity, and sometimes perform with little difference in success or failure from those schooled to lead.

In as much as there have been arguments on whether good leaders are born or are created, it is my belief that the intrinsic qualities of good leaders are in-born, but are either stifled or developed by circumstances and socialization. Above all else, leaders must have passion and patriotism and be willing to make personal sacrifices for their country, and be trustworthy, not deceptive. A leader must empathize, be able to feel the pulse of the people, and act on principle, and put his or her country first above personal or party political gain. This is also diagnostic of good leadership and failed leadership.

The leadership of a nation is an awesome responsibility. It embodies the power of life or death over the entire population and can create or destroy critical relationships with other nations in the global community of nations. There is usually little room for error. There is rarely a second chance if opportunities are missed or mistakes are made. Nations usually get the leaders they deserve and that reflects their present situation and aspirations.

Given the foregoing view, it is expedient to ask fellow Nigerians, “As February 2023 is around the corner, is anyone still thinking about voting for any political aspirant based on the tribe, religion, or party he or she is affiliated with?” Put in another form, “Is anyone still thinking of voting for a candidate based on his popularity?” To the view of this writer, it is high time such criteria for deciding whom to vote for be jettisoned. The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as the challenges that Nigeria is faced with at the moment, and which Nigerians would want the next crop of political leaders to patriotically solve or address are of utmost urgency and concern, rather than resorting to primordial sentiment.

Against the foregoing backdrop, permit me to opine in this context that I am not flabbergasted to see some seemingly blind political followers who are merely after their well-being or their stomachs rooting for a presidential candidate that from all ramifications seems physically and mentally incapable to preside over the affairs of the country, and worse still may not be able to withstand the pressure that may be exerted on him as a result of problematic issues that would no doubt be emanating by each passing day. Against the foregoing backdrop, it is apt to understand that good leadership provokes good followership. In fact, unruly people are likely to spawn leaders who are undemocratic and autocratic and reflect their norms and values. A disciplined nation often selects leaders who adhere to discipline and good governance, and who are likely to carry out the tasks of the state in a manner conducive to good public order and the well-being of its people.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the dark side of leadership is arrogance and a narcissistic belief in one’s destiny and right to lead the people, which is in the ongoing electioneering called “Emilokan”. The offensive political slang coined by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) denies the reality that the selection of the country's leadership should be resident in the will of the people who form the electorate, and who periodically have a real choice as to who will govern them, and how they will be governed. Politicians that believe the arrogantly-conceived political term called “Emilokan” are no doubt ignorant of the fact that true leaders must first show humility in return for the great trust placed in them by their people.

Be that as it may, it is expedient to say that the future president of Nigeria must take a more strategic approach to reposition the economy around a new set of principles that are not reliant on trickle-down economics and the primacy of skewed incentives to the upper end of the private sector and provide better policy execution. A better balance must be achieved. No matter who emerges victorious as next Nigeria’s president during the much-expected presidential election come February 25, 2023, he must be mentally, emotionally, and physically equipped to face the daunting task of fixing a near-comatoseeconomy.

Though the next president and his administration will encounter monumental economic, security, and political challenges, and also be greeted by a distraught populace bedeviled by rising poverty, inflation, unemployment, and unprecedented levels of insecurity, it is advisable to say that he should be seen to be able to withstand the pressure therefrom. So, given the primacy of Nigeria’s economy and its prevailing unappealing security situation, it is expedient to urge Nigerians not to vote for any political aspirant on the basis of primordial sentiments. As all Nigerians are resolved to fix the country by contributing our individual quota, it is expedient we vote for whom we know is capable of repairing the country without any “comma” or question mark in his credential or antecedent as to his age, the schools he attended, his source of wealth and the lifestyle exhibited in the distant past.