Nigeria will keep failing forward if she refuses to evolve overtime! If we do not do something about this country Nigeria will do something to us and we can never predict what she will do. 2023 is another opportunity to do something about Nigeria if only we will do what is right!
This are the three things we should look out for:
1. A Leader that can diversify the economy
For those who don’t know our economy is in a mess structurally, for almost 40years Nigeria has engaged in a ugly battle with cost push inflation, we are surviving on borrowed funds, we urgently need a leader that can creatively create wealth for this country, therefore we must rely on leaders who have shown success in building economic prosperity in their domain. Nigeria can no longer sustain the burden of a leader without commercial inclination or innovative instinct. Any leader that cannot expand Nigerian revenue is not fit for office no matter how appealing he or she may be. Nigeria is really at the edge economically. Nigerians need to be economically empowered as a community and as individuals. Poverty is not sustainable in the long run it leads to destruction and war!
2. A Leader that can Secure the country
We need a leader who does not only understands how to secure Nigeria but is willing to do so at all cost. This willingness does not only have to be political but also practical . Insecurity in Nigeria is not manageable or sustainable again, after this phase it is all out civil war (God forbid we get to such point) therefore we need a leader who will end it, not address , fight or attack it! The leader that Nigeria needs at this precarious time must approach ending insecurity as a matter of destiny and legacy.
3. A Leader that can offer inclusive governance
Nigeria have never been this polarized since the civil war of 1967, Nigeria has experienced more nepotism in governance and administration since 1999. Tribal fidelity is on the rise. We need a leadership that can bring us together, we need a leader that can father the nation. In difficult times we do not need just a President but a person experienced in leadership, politics and governance. We need those who have built inclusivity through their life style, leadership and outlook. We need leaders that understands the advantages and the imperatives of diversity and have the political will to utilize such diversity. We need a leader than can bring different sides together and make them face the larger picture. We need a leader that is very acceptable across the country. As a matter of fact, building an inclusive governance will naturally reduce insecurity by 70% in Nigeria.
We need a president like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Franklin Roosevelt, Charles De Gaul, Abraham Lincoln and the likes. These leaders are people who led in the most difficult times putting their values, struggle and personal experience to shepherd their country out of political, economic and social crisis. This country needs a shepherd- like leadership. We need no Saint or Angel, ALL WE NEED IS A LEADER!
In choosing or supporting a candidate this are the core values which I shall be considering not age, gender, tribe or political affiliations because, from my experience in governance and leadership what matters the most is ideas and principles. Therefore, any leader that can drive these three factors in in ideas and principle will have my sweat and time. If we agree on these attributes, then we can easily identify Nigeria’s next President. Nigerians, please let’s look for a leader!
May we get it right in 2023!
Hon. Adeyemi Abidemi Adebola
Dir. Research and Programme
African Development Studies Centre
Minority Whip KGHA (2011-2015)
Founder African Reading Project
Team Lead Institute of Disabled Person