Show me an entity that is about to get its leadership right and I will show you a setting that is about to set the pace to do new things. It’s no rocket science. It’s either you are doing something new or you are doing old things in new ways before you can get new results, particularly if you are displeased with the results on your hands.
Nigeria is on the march again, looking for Mr President. Events of the past few weeks have altered the political landscape. Politicking is in full swing and horse trading has almost gone full circle. The political atmosphere is charged. Tongues are beginning to wag and tempers are already rising. We are on the march again, looking for Mr Fix it.
As we pitch tents and take sides, there are pertinent questions to answer. What type of President do you seek? An Ibo President or a Kanuri President? A Yoruba President or an Ikwerre President? A President who empowers his tribesmen or the one with the most admirable business acumen? One from the senior citizens club or “not too young to run” in modern language.
Do you want a philanthropic president or a president who attracts development to his own region? Do you want a ceremonial President or the President with his head on his shoulders? A leader with oratory prowess who walks his talks or the one with few words but full of action? Is your choice from the new tribe, old tribe or a hybrid of the two?
Wherever your choice lies, your aspiration is legitimate and your conviction is supported by your interest. Just take a moment to ponder, how futuristic is your aspiration for this country? Does your choice speak to short term, medium term or long term? Does it accommodate all? Or is your interest sympathetic to the short term at the expense of the other two? What value do you place on life and decent living?
The same question applies to me. What do I desire for my country? I have an expectation just like any other Nigerian. The president I seek must not necessarily be the brightest, neither must he be the richest. He must not be the kindest nor the most influential but the leader I desire must be the one who has the vision to lead Nigeria out of the woods.
I yearn for a President who is a Nigerian. The leader I seek is one who will fix Nigeria and create equal opportunities for every Nigerian to manifest his God-given potentials. I care less where he comes from. His political affiliation is of little interest to me. I am mindful that this race is not a 100 meter dash, it is a marathon race.
If you see anyone among the array of aspirants who fits this description, please enlist me in your camp and you will find in me a partner to join you in the search to save Nigeria from the claws of those who seek power for the sake of itself.
©️Akin Oluwadare Jnr
07 February 2022
