Sadly, for quite a long time, our leaders have enjoyed being served full course meals, in the ‘acts of ruling’over a largely subservient, docile, and perhaps gullible populace. And interestingly, it happens that this act of governance, extends over even the knowledgeable and well exposed people who perhaps, just prefer not to query the status quo for inexplicable reason, that is gradually creeping deeply into our national psyche, part of that peculiar challenge generally referred to as the ‘Nigerian factor’. Now, our leaders with an over-bloated ego understandably, still relishing the good times of the past, would never wish it away!
This sad reality of our times, plays itself repeatedly daily, in our leaders’ dealing with the populace, and particularly in the unfortunate encounter of January 14th, 2017 between Governor Isiak Ajimobi of Oyo State and the Students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, who perhaps had been tired out with boredom and more, consequent upon an over-stretched holiday of 8-months school’s-closure prompting, their demand rightly for the reopening of their school. The uneasy interview, alleged to have been grudgingly granted by our revered Governor, after several efforts, was regrettably well laced with traces of high-handedness, over-dramatisation and traits of a power-drunk, very much reflecting a leader still re-living our ignominious and ‘gullible past’.
Without a doubt, the country’s long sojourn with the military rule has been fingered to be responsible to have affected us in what can be termed to be our leaders “militocracy” psyche (coinage for mixed philosophy between military and democracy) in our fledgling democracy, when they bark out orders with military fiat using slogan as ‘with immediate effect’ even in their civilian garbs. But the barking out of order and instructions to a people who are conscious of their rights and privileges, will only breed more resentment and show to the public, such leader’s gross incompetence and lack of capacity to deal with situations. Sadly this is what played out in the unfortunate encounter of Governor Ajimobi and LAUTECH Students. It is gladdening that an apology was rendered by the Governor on the sad incident.
Times have changed, and our leaders do not yet know. Presently, and for the leader that care to know, there has now been an unprecedented awareness and awakening of the consciousness of Nigerians through the country’s educational revolution of newly emergent Private Universities and other institutions of higher learning added to the existing Public and Private institutions, that all churn out innumerable graduates now, into the system, and if assumedly at least, increased education should necessarily leads to increased consciousness. It follows that there has now been, a sharp decrease in what can be termed the ‘per capita gullibility’ of our nation. Alas, a bold sign is now being, brandished, as a warning sign hanging out for our leaders to note, that: ‘leaders emptor’! (Leaders’ beware notice).
Frankly speaking, It is also most important that our leaders come to term with the realisation of the fact that, to whom much is given, much would be expected. While our leaders tend to savour and enjoy the honour, respect and perks of their offices, they however, don’t want to bother themselves with the intricate demands of their office. Times have changed. And leaders need to realise so now. Otherwise, such regrettable confrontations will only irrepressibly rear it ugly head from time to time.
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Again as recalled, the catchphrase now made popular from the said unfortunate interview of Governor Ajimobi, records His Excellency, referring to himself as the ‘Constituted Authority’. Blimey! For the reasons of democratic education and re orientation, it is essential to recapitulate it for all and sundry, including our leaders that ; the mandate, authority, and power which our leaders flaunt everywhere erroneously as if it is their personal possession and property, primarily emanate and is derived from the people. Part of the core reason, why the pronoun “We” not “I” is very prominent in the preamble of the United States constitution, a democracy to which our country’s, is fashioned after.
Again, It is most pertinent for our leaders to learn to accommodate dissenting voices, as democracy itself thrives on divergent opinions and views. At least after our nineteen (19) undisrupted years in democratic experience, it is not out of place for us, to begin to show signs that we have learnt from our past mistakes and to give concrete evidences of our making meaningful progress. Instances as above show that we still have a long way to go.
Additionally, our leaders should also be more civil in relating with the populace. The use of maximum force to deal with dissenters, protesters, civil rights activists, and every person(s) that queries the status quo is no longer fashionable and should be discouraged amongst our leaders.
Still, some leaders in spite of their hitherto exposures, academics achievements, and discipline/calling etc, it is perhaps as if there is spiritually more to leadership in this part of the world, for as soon as they get into the position of leadership despite their education, but now because of their new experiences of comfort, power, authority, money etc they tend to now exhibit strange attitudes, ignorance, impatience etc as soon as they step into office. Basically, it is the misuse of power money, authority etc especially in the full glare of the public, who do not have, that grow the roots for dissenters. Leader should learn moderation in all they do.
Leaders must also value the twin-concepts of ‘Authority’ and ‘Responsibility’ that work inseparably. It must be noted, by our leaders that the grand and esteemed position of an ‘Authority’ begets perhaps its concise scope of ‘Responsibility’ always.
However on the other hand, it is necessary that we sound a note of warning too, for dissenters. Generally speaking it has been observed that, the moral decadence prevailing in our society is alarming. This also caught the attention of the south western Governor’s forum in their baby project marked to develop the region tagged Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN). In their recent Ekiti State meeting held 15th February, 2017, this formed part of their discuss, to “address the declining moral standard and to put in place structures to manage the loss of values and virtues in the society saying that the first step is quality assurance and morality framework as a critical part of the region education”. Time has come for leadership and even our dissenting approaches to be putting the right perspective. While it is not a bad idea to beg to be different, it absolute important for the dissention to be done within the confines of the law. All unlawful dissention are condemnable.
It should be made amply clear, that no leader is crowned without its divine endorsement. Hence, this signals us, beyond mere dissenting, to apply caution always. Far from just being spiritual, most religious institutions and organisations also admonish all to respect and obey our leaders, as leadership is a concept of fate, which can get entrusted unto any one, unexpectedly.
Again, we need to caution dissenters against improper presentation of their position via disrespectful approach. Our leaders are the symbol of our sovereignty and as such they deserve our full and untainted respect. This goes for some unruly students who are yet to begin to climb life’s ladder but perhaps with a degree in-view believe that they have seen it all. It is time for us to start making meaning of the concept of respect for our elders, our customs and for other symbols of authority. Our leaders and dissenters are enjoined to act from the position of deep feelings and mutual respect for others, as leadership and even dissention are both transient.
