Leadership in Perspective by Seye Adetunmbi

HOW AND WHEN DID NIGERIA GET HERE: THE WAY FORWARD

By, Seye Adetunmbi 

It is understandable if one claims to be getting weary of writing✍️about Nigeria and her peculiar mess (penkelemesi). This is because for over three decades I have written so many articles and even got books published in which issues on Nigeria were addressed, highlighting suggested solutions and plausible way forward. However, the recent protest across the nation calling for the end of bad government in Nigeria,  generated a debate in Ekitipanupo Forum. I was not going to comment because it would amount to repeating oneself on the same issues, over and over again as far as I am concerened. As a matter of fact, it was this statement of Dr Dokun Adedeji that finally drew me out. I quote his apt comment thus: "...The saddest part of our deceit and hypocrisy is that if elections are held today, these same crowd of political vultures and carpetbaggers, will return in triumph" Oga Dokun, the Doksie, of Christ’s School fame, in his characteristics manner  has said it as it is, again!

How did we get here? Come with me good people of Nigeria as I share my perspective under the above caption.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo 

The era when it was possible to attract or get credible people of integrity elected to office had been thinning out over the past years. It is getting worse with successive warped democratic dispensation in Nigeria. During our best period of credible political leadership in the past e.g. the AG and UPN years, the political parties then were structured and well thought out with the fundamentals in place for a sustainable good government through cardinal programmes that were clinically adhered to under the watch of honourable leaders of integrity. More importantly, the political parties were strategically and tactically funded collectively to give every member a sense of belonging and a considerable level playing field such that it was difficult for anyone or a small clique of hawks to hijack the political party structure. There were instances that Baba Awo wished or would have preferred a candidate, but when party members prevailed, the late sage let go.

Also, cardinal programmes of the political party were put together to truly serve the larger interest of the poor masses with a deliberate plan for the future in the horizon. This is evident in the vision behind Oodua Investment, Northern Nigeria Development Investment Corporation etc.

Awo, Zik and Sadauna

What ensured continuity of a political party in a state or region then were essentially the party manifestos from which the masses have benefited over the years, coupled with entrenched trust in their political leaders. You don't need to bribe anyone, jeunsoke, d'ibo ko se 'be etc before people file out to vote the party or person of their choice at the general elections. Most of the people who were elected to key offices were credible and desirous of serving larger interest, first, any other thing is secondary. You didn't not have to be a money bag or anyone's stooge or be a fellow that will be a tool to corner the state resources before you win the party nomination to fly its flag.

What obtains today is a different ball game. Reverse is the case. Me first, the masses that the political power belongs to is the last! The political party in government these days are mere power capturing platforms controlled by a small group feeding fat on the system. These few self--serving political party chieftains decide who get what and not what is in the best interest of the masses they are expected to serve. The motives are not driven by values and integrity. The political party is funded through government-magic, engineered by the mafia dons and their cronies in the system with the funding of the next election in the consciousness of the incumbents. It is not about the well executed plausible projects to earn them votes. It is about stolen funds set aside to dole out during elections to the impoverished voters.

The political era when "eye ke bi eye, eku ke bi eku" political leadership evolved primarily to truly represent their kisnmen and top civil servants were quitessential technocrats and not contractors that corner big government contracts through cronies

When those who are to plan and execute good and enduring policies for the benefits of the governed are living large on a warped system, the tendency for the status quo to stand becomes inevitable. There we are now in Nigeria. A hugely monitised electoral system/election process would always make it difficult for those who may truly want to get things done properly have access to office where they can influence positive changes. Governors embark on big projects these days not primarily for the benefit of the people or in adherence to a development plan to be followed by sucessive governments, but to meet the financial needs of their sponsors with the next election in view regarding funding.

This is why if election is held today as Doksie wrote, it is the same set of people and their allies that will emerge. It is the reality of our situation in Nigeria if nothing is done about the status quo. Majority of the people in politics and government today are not there to serve the interest of any race or the people but themselves. Because they consider themselves lucky and a time bound opportunity to be "employed" by a system they can manipulate to corner wealth for their personal advantage.

In all, consistent good leadership is fundamental for an enduring progressive nation. I cannot but agree with this comment of alagba Omowumi in Atokeibeirosi Forum on 7/8/24: "The development that Nigeria has had in real time was that which took place between 1952 and 1966. In real time in the sense that there were not so much resources as we have had since 1966, but plenty of good management of resources. The resources since 1966 were largely stolen into private pockets."

L-R: Dr Ambrose Ali, Pa Ajasin, Baba Awo, Chief Onabanjo, Alhaji Jakande & Chief Ige

Just compare the values, character and the profiles of the visionary leaders we had in the past with the pack of light-finger, illbred and greedy politicians of today! All you need to do is to compare their assets base before going to politics or having access to government's treasury and what they have amassed in office and how they live thereafter.

What's the way out? Perhaps the type of the recent public protest will send strong signal to those setting us back to let go in earnest. A persistent organised protest, a focused structured outcry and systemic rejection of the deceptive ruling class by the poor masses would be the way out. Expecting the rogues in politics and government now to effect change will be tantamount to self deceit, like "eye afin". Yes, the albino's mother that they asked after her child. She said in Ekiti dialect, "i s'omo mi oyinbo" (my caucasian child)!

Nevertheless, the recent spontaneous national protest against bad governement and leadership is a strong warning to the people in government. Consequently, those in government who think or believe that they can take the masses for granted endlessly will be doing so at their own peril. "Nitoripe ko si obo mo ni Nijiria" - No fool (monkey) anymore in Nigeria. Anyone who thinks he/she can "p'aja l'obo" (call monkey dog) for Nigerians, you are on the path to perdition and your waterloo. The fact that you have your way to find yourself in government anyhow, notwithstanding!

"Ti o ba le ewure kan ogiri, a bu e je" If you pursue a goat 🐐 to a wall/dead end, it will turn back and bite! "Abo oro la nso fun omoluabi, ti o be de inu e, a di odidi" (A phrase is adequate for the wise...) The worst disease is shamelessness. The Yoruba people call it "alainitiju olori arun". When you don't know when to stop ripping off the people. When you feed too fat on the poor masses without restraint and decorum, it comes with consequences. 

Societies and nations that govern well still have issues not to talk of a pack of people in government Nigeira that treat their people with reckless abandon and expect things to be at peace with them and their cronies! Mbanu, o ti o! We either do things right or face the repercussion of insensitivity to fellow stakeholders of a commonwealth that belong to everyone, all of us. Let good consciense and proper reasoning prevail.

Certainly, a new system must evolve that will make seeking government appointment or pursue election to a government position unattractive to those who want to feed fat at the expense of the poor masses. How to effect the desired paradigm shift has to be in the front burner. Any thing short of this takes Nigeria back to square one.