Detrimental sentiment of leadership in Nigeria

 

 It is believed that majority of African leaders be it political, religious and others are katzenjammers and the current global Covid-19 pandemic is authentication of the sobriquet.

 To me, “A leader is a ghetto man who understands the rigidity of life”. This means that a leader is someone who comprehends the emotional state of the masses. A leader must know how to proffer solution to the essential needs of his citizens or members. it is undoubtedly perceived that in Africa, especially Nigeria, leaders take some radical decisions and feat at the detriment of their citizens or members. For instance, critical issues such as  human rights violation, forced eviction whereby two million people are evicted from their homes leaving thousands of more to be evicted, unlawful killings, torture, forced disappearance and other ill- treatment by security agencies; violence against women including domestic violence, rape and other forms of sexual violence by state officials and private individuals which has despondently increased in many parts of the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thus, leaders encompass political fantasies in all incidents such as  the current Covid-19 which a large number of leaders especially in Nigeria see as an avenue of spawning billions of naira as a result of voracity not minding the gravity of their actions to the poor masses. They increase the number of cases daily in order to create opportunity for lockdown to pressure the federal government and other foreign donors for superfluous bread deserting the masses in horrendous situation. This makes me to term ‘politics’ as a game of the aggressive to achieve recognition to demonstrate power”. And according to an American Scientist Harold Lasswell, politics is “Who gets what, when and how,” which explains why politics has been considered a ‘dirty game’ in Africa which is usually bloody and deadly.

However, I have lived to watch some political leaders hypnotize the intellect of the citizens where they all failed to fulfill much of the promises made to the citizens who elected them into office. This makes an average Nigerian to think negatively about political leaders as either Weak, Clueless or Rigid.

Research conducted about a weak political leader in Nigeria indicates that it is as an upshot of tribal war and impious sentiments of other political counterparts, parties and citizens. Leaders like General Yakubu Gowon, Shehu Shagari and Goodluck Jonathan were considered feeble although they were men of peace who symbolized humility.

Clueless is when he/she performs as if he is not erudite or is being gullible or hampered by the cabal like the likes of re-packaged and re-branded political leaders who are sent to the public by the cabal to be a face whereas all actions and decisions are taken by the cabal.

Rigid is when he/she exercise’s political power over her political resources, culture, economy, citizens, cabal, and nation’s borders. In Nigeria, for instance, we had the likes of late General Sani Abacha who was unarguably one of the most controversial Nigerian leaders in history. He was a fearless political leader who had majority of people removed from their appointed positions for theirpoor performances.  He exercised political power that could not be over-ruled especially in the area of allocation of resources.

In addition, the then General Muhammadu Buhari, among few others, were powerful political leaders who applied political authority. It therefore means that today, most political leaders lack the understanding of external dynamic forces and operate with sentiments coupled with tribal crisis which makes it difficult for them to be successful.

Religious leaders, on the other hand, have gained world recognition as the biggest problem of Africa. Religion is known to be the widest medium in Africa used by political leaders as a means to get advocates through the assistance of religious leaders.  An instance is the case of 2015/2019 elections in Nigeria where religious leaders were campaigning for diverse political leaders of their choice through prayer points. In 2015, prayers raised were pray for change, we need change” while in 2019 some religious settings were like “Father, Change the Changed for the Changed Has Crippled our Nation Nigeria,” not minding the detriment of their actions to the masses. it is palpable that religious leaders are circuitously involved in politics.  it is documented that despite the fact that commoners are mostly found in religious environments and they labour effortlessly for their religion, some religious leaders do not really feel concerned about the well-being of their members. Specifically, during the Covid-19 most adherent could hardly afford one square meal per day while their religious leaders were busy donating to government in order to be more venerated or for their selffish interest. These are leaders who compel members and brainwash them into voting for political leaders for their own interest. Studies have shown that religion/religious leaders have separated families, friends and caused enmity amongst political leaders thereby rendering some persons homeless where they misled them, blind folded them and emptied their bank accounts.

It is concluded that the feasible solution to all of the cases stated above can only be resolved when leaders halt religious/political emotions, tribal wars injustice, and corruption.  Let them think about the feelings, needs and pains of their citizens just like other nations of the world. The need to reunite and re- strategize in order to avoid recession, excessive debts and starvation in post Covid-19 is germane. Therefore, we need intellectual leaders who study not the ones that would snooze in a conference where national matters are being discussed. It is said that readers are leaders. Let’s think critically to overcome the impending calamity.

Faith Eyihe, 

Abuja.

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