Youngstars Foundation

The problem of poor leadership in Nigeria is a persistent plague that must elicit worry from any patriotic citizen. That there is a leadership problem has never been in doubt; more so that public office holders are always the first to harp on the implications of our leadership inadequacies on the wellbeing of the country and her people.

Despite been the world’s 15th largest producer of oil and Africa’s second (as at June 2008), Nigeria’s economy is ranked a lowly 39th, with a heart-rending GDP of 8.23 percent (as at end of 2009), and a rather ignoble record of 70 percent of its people living – or better put, scavenging – on less than $1 per day (United Nations Human Development). Consequently, poverty, unemployment, poor infrastructure, erratic power supply, political and religious violence, insecurity of lives and property, have become predominant.

Other African nations are no different. To sum it all, it was recently announced that the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Prize for African Leadership, for the second year running, would not be awarded, because no leader on the continent was found worthy. Eligible entrants of the award – the highest rewarding leadership prize in the world – are former democratically elected heads of African countries, who have been out of office for not more than three years. That there was not even a shortlist this year further amplifies the seriousness of the need to redefine the essence of leadership.

Next year presents Nigeria another opportunity to address her leadership woes. Already, the acclaimed giant of the African continent has been through a lot these past months: the long-term absence of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the turmoil generated by resulting political machinations, his unfortunate passing away and the accompanying disruptions in the polity; choosing the wrong candidate in 2011 will be too punitive, especially to an overly shortchanged and overstretched people. If only my vote alone would determine who would be President this time next year, his emergence would be due to his possession of my nine-step requirement-acronym: my political leaders in 2011 must be a PRESIDENT!

Probity: Absolute moral correctness is how Encarta Dictionaries defines it. Probity is almost all-encompassing. We need a President who understands the inhibitive impacts of corruption on national progress, set up rules against it, and as well dispassionately prosecute culprits; who appreciates the urgent need for credible elections; who will neither short-circuit the judiciary for self-serving ambitions, nor repress the press from speaking for the people; who, very importantly, would be the very mirror of the change he would be claiming to bring.

Radicalism: Nigeria seems to operate a careful governance system, one that is afraid of altering established norms and structures. This style may not be a bad idea after all, but where has it led us? We need a leader who has the heart to make sweeping political, economic and social changes than that traditionally supported by mainstream political parties – this is the real essence of radicalism. Sweeping changes!

Energy: This is about the most important lesson from the last presidential reign. Almost everyone who worked closely with the late President Yar’Adua praised his willingness to give a better life to the people; but in the end, a feeble state of health dealt the coup de grace to all the willpower. It is important that we do not repeat the mistake of electing someone with a proven record of nursing a terminal illness.

Sincerity: Nigeria needs someone who possesses an elevated perception of personal sincerity, and will approach the country’s situation with sincerity. This translates to a President who will conduct a census that will produce reliable and indisputable figures, as against what we have witnessed in the past; who will not set unrealistic deadlines for ensuring stable electricity supply or raising workers’ wages or ensuring education for all. Such a President will regain belief of the people, which past leaders had frittered away.

Independence: Nigerian leaders might have secured independence from British colonialists, but certainly not independence from the constrictive hold of political parties. Most public office holders are beholden to party moneybags who financed their campaigns, and the result is stiff competition between party and people loyalty. In 2011, my President must be someone who is more loyal to the people than his party, and that can only happen if his campaign is self-financed or assisted by people who expect nothing in return.

Determination: It would be unfair to many of the leaders who have failed in the past, to say that they had no plans for the people; they probably were not determined enough. Any president who would succeed must anticipate regular uprising in the Niger Delta and envisage sabotage from greedy, criminal elements who have been profiting from the unrests; expect frustration of efforts to restore regular electricity supply, from generator importers; foresee hindrance to developmental efforts by key opposition figures; and must be prepared to determinedly and relentlessly confront them.

Empiricism: A President who understands that there is no universal solution to our problems as a people, and will devise solutions according to the local and national peculiarities of our plight, will make a decent choice.

Nationalism: It is important that the next President is nationalistic in every respect, as 2011 is not the time to champion a northern, eastern or southern agenda. He must see Nigeria through a national lens; not as an entity of several distinctive interests. He, therefore, must appoint people into strategic public offices based on merit, without been given to ethnic or geopolitical sentiments.

Tact: This is important if he must cope with the complexities of office such as convincing opposition legislators to support a bill or managing emotive initiatives such as demolitions of so-called illegal structures that would pave the way for further societal developments.

In all, the search for a President should not be idealistic. We must not forget that all aspiring presidents, from which we will make a choice, are mortals, who can never be perfect. We will not have a perfect President in 2011, but we can have a successful PRESIDENT.