2023: Nigeria needs a leader with broad worldview- Tambuwal

The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state, has declared that in 2023, Nigeria would need a leader with a broad worldview and not a parochial and provincial politician.

He also noted that the nation needed an incorruptible leader who understood that the best way to fight corruption is by personal examples and also by the building of strong institutions that can withstand shocks and manipulations.

The governor said these on Monday, at the Richard Akinnola’s birthday lecture in Lagos.

Speaking on the topic, “Security Challenges in Nigeria and Its Implication for Sustainable Development”, the Sokoto state governor maintained that to overcome insecurity, there was the need for intelligence gathering and surveillance so that law enforcement agents could be proactive and reasonably predict potential crime and crime scenes with near perfect accuracy rather than being reactive.

Tambuwal noted that, no doubt, calls for a new approach that would be founded on credible intelligence gathering.

At the well attended ceremony, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said, “Nigeria needs a leader that is versatile, one that has friends and associates across the length and breadth of this country. A leader with a broad worldview and not a parochial and provincial politician.

He continued, “We need an incorruptible leader who understands that the best way to fight corruption is by personal examples and also by the building of strong institutions that can withstand shocks and manipulations.

“Nigeria needs a leader in tune with the times, who is reasonably aware of the modern demands of technology in solving societal problems.

“Yes, Nigeria needs a bridge builder. A compassionate leader, sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the poor and needy, a leader whose words count and can be counted on. Indeed, a leader with courage”, he said

Continuing, the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum added that the country needed, “an accountable leader who can be trusted to face the challenges of nationhood squarely without sentiments or pandering to interests that are inconsistent with national goals.

Speaking further, Tambuwal maintained that Nigeria needs a visionary leadership imbued with a sense of patriotism, which will go a long way in changing the narrative of insecurity in Nigeria.

Continuing, he said “A leader required by Nigeria is one that will regard Nigeria as his constituency, not his state, tribe, religion or region. A leadership that inspires the nation to achieve greatness.

“A leadership that galvanises, mobilises and directs Nigerians on the path to sustainable peace, progress and development.

“A leader with these qualities will reach out to all and sundry and ensure that insecurity ravaging the country is put to flight.

“There is no short cut or magic wand to curtail insecurity other than the deployment of relevant tools of good governance, proper technology, necessary military and police equipment, a well trained and properly remunerated manpower, and lowering of tensions in the country through enthronement of a government that serves all and not a section and group.

“A leader smart enough to realise the imperatives of restructuring our security and governance structure.

“Finding such a leader is a task for all and I challenge you all today to find and support such a leader in 2023 so that Nigeria can begin the long walk back to peace, security and prosperity for all her citizens”, he said.

The Sokoto state governor added that good governance is yet another major panacea against insecurity in Nigeria.

“This requires that government at all levels must take deliberate steps to ensure good and accountable governance that focuses on the needs of the people”, he said.

Stating that socio-economic development factor was also key to peace and security, Tambuwal said, “examples and researches have shown that with good governance and strong institutions, most people are less likely to become enemies of the state,or embrace,crime when they can see development and opportunities”.

On the elimination of corruption and entrenchment of social and economic justice, he contended, is also key, adding, “Corruption gives rise to both social and economic problems. It is one of the major causes of inequality and inequitable distribution of wealth among the people.

“This leads to dissatisfaction, frustration and consequently agitations that lead to insecurity. The war against corruption must be fought with various tools”.