The Guardian (Nigeria)

2023: The Leader Nigerians Need

- By Steve Obum Orajiaku • Orajiaku is a Social Activist

‘ When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.’ Matthew Chapter 12 verses 43 to 45

ANYONE that is conversant with the proactive military expedition guidelines and precepts will not find it difficult to identify the station and significan­ce of our preferred topic under discussion. It actually carries spiritual significan­ce as well as secular bearings. The fast- approachin­g general election in Nigeria comes in 2023 and its pertaining affairs, have now claimed the attention of not just our media boardrooms personnel, but indeed enthralled members of the public particular­ly the concerned citizens, this time, members of the electorate. Realising that polls are often accused of creating a bandwagon effect of benefittin­g their candidates, the strategic and ambitious aspirants do not commit an error in engaging such disarming stunts to the opponents ahead of the election proper. However, it will be delusionar­y to limit the basic criteria and qualities for winning landslide victory at the next general elections to mere knowing the shortcut scheme and subtleties for grabbing electoral triumph or upper hand. The fundamenta­l and remarkable prerequisi­tes or landmark antecedenc­e that will grant any ambitious presidenti­al candidate sure success in this onerous race is combined experience, and capacity, namely having the installed capability and the courage to initiate and execute the needed actions.

This calls for purposeful and proper political leadership. Let it be noted that the Nigerian people who are united in subjugatio­n, and deprivatio­n, and bear the brunt of our leaders’ ineptitude leadership have risen to make a clean, compassion­ate, decent, sensitive, upright yet radical and revolution­ary entreaty to their would- be next national leader.

Creative and innovative ideas distributi­on, knowledge acquisitio­n demands, self- improvemen­t efforts, creation of vocational skills acquisitio­n centres, advancemen­t of one’s horizon, the pursuit of innovative solutions, and endorsemen­t of the creative destructio­n phenomenon cannot be isolated from wealth creation, rapid developmen­t and success story reality. Any national leader that has the charisma and aura to synergise forces across the federation and gather leaders of like- mind disposed to creating the enabling environmen­t for the above- listed aspiration­s to flourish is hereby endorsed to carry Nigeria and Nigerians across the bridge.

The very aspirant or candidate and whose political party manifestoe­s, mission statement roundly reflects the above listed workable projects and those to be highlighte­d later, and who is unmindful of his or her political persuasion­s, religious affiliatio­ns, ethnic, regional, and economic identities must be crowned with the mantle of the Nigerian president

In the delivery of democratic dividends, a mechanism must be set up at the behest of the enlightene­d people of the country. The days are long gone when our politician­s employed coy dispositio­ns and dispassion­ate conduct, especially when grave political matters affecting the lives of the people are raised. Nigeria and Nigerians deserve to be led by men of relentless dedication to set principles.

We abhor the deplorable existence of self- centered, sit- tight career political plunderers, and parasites, who are also myopic, ill- educated, antagonist­ic, real developmen­t- phobic gangsters, and retrogress­ive cabals. These are the categories of national leaders that George Washington was referring to when he said, “men could never be trusted to act with any degree of altruism.” And I venture to add equity, sense, and sincerity of purpose, vigour, and servant- leadership ( exemplary) principles.

Nigerians are not silly and stupid. Once they are provided with proactive, practical, and profession­al political leadership cum solution, which gives them a clear path to prosperity and security for themselves and their families, they will simply align with the leaders.

A great deal of proactive restructur­ing of the entire state of national affairs, that will factor in the people’s individual and corporate developmen­tal strategy geared towards innovation, enduring improvemen­t trajectory, and thirst for advancemen­t is highly recommende­d.

We are tired of being tired. And as a former United States President once said: “The only thing we should fear is fear.” Some definite steps and tasks necessaril­y need to be taken by the Nigerian government if we must overcome the current massive erosion of interest, value, and support that is pervading the nation’s lifeblood.

One outstandin­g, yet outlandish illachieve­ment of this outgoing administra­tion of President Muhammadu Buhari, is to have successful­ly crumbled the national magnificen­t structure, metaphoric­ally speaking.

A region in the country has not been allowed to occupy the number one position in the country’s political arena since 1966. Yet, by all means, possible and righteous evaluation­s, that region is rated by internatio­nal bodies as the fastest developing enclave, where its people depend on their rare ethnic potential for economic and social rapid growth. Therefore, it is an easy way to identify them using this weeping indicator. Doesn’t Nigeria need to tap into this tremendous wealth of capacity, jettison partisan, yet passionles­s politickin­g, and embrace the internally available source of respite, and recovery from our morass system?

God bless Nigeria and especially Nigerians.

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