Leadership In Nigeria – Problems And Prospects

Chibuike Okafor

Nigeria is an African country with Abuja as its capital, it is the most populous nation in Africa. Since her independence, the nation has been witnessing and still witness unavoidable but heart-breaking crisis, crisis that are self -inflicted. In 1966, the nation witnessed civil war as a result of constant human rights abuse meted on the easterners by her leaders. But after the civil war, the nation is yet to enjoy tranquility, rather it is becoming more of an Armageddon to its citizens. This work will in concise mode, appraise leadership in Nigeria with the aim of determining if her state is remediable.

Leadership in Nigeria; problems

Scholars in time past and of present attribute the problems, endemic state of Nigeria to various factors which include; non-availability of autochthonous Constitution, poor leadership, tribalism, non-adherence to rule of law, nepotism, bribery and corruption; un-patriotism, greed and host others ills. However, for the purpose of this appraisal, this work will limit its attention to;

• lack of autochthonous Constitution
• Non -adherence to Rule of Law
• Corruption

• Un-patriotism

Lack of Authochonous Constitution

Nigeria, since her independence and till date is yet to have an autochthonous Constitution. The current Constitution being a product of the military regime, with General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubaker as its sole signatory; is not home-grown, despite its fallacious, deceptive assertion in its preamble that it is autochthonous. Inherent in Nigerian Constitution are provisions that overtly undermine actualization of national growth, peaceful co-existence, enforcement of human right, accountability on part of leaders and some that elevates tribalism above meritocracy. It is trite that the Constitution is supreme and its provisions bind all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By the provision of the extant law, the duty to protect lives and secure the welfare of citizens; where made primary responsibilities of federal/State governments.
Other responsibilities include; harnessing of resources, promotion of national prosperity, provision of jobs, good health scheme, welfare of persons in employment, promotion of science and technology, awarding of free, compulsory and universal primary education; and host of sundry obligations.
Despite all these serious exhaustive and well thought out responsibilities foisted on Nigerian government, Nigerian government has failed to do any and Nigerians on their part lack the locus standi to compel her government to do otherwise.
In Olafisoye v FRN , the Apex Court holds that ‘community reading of item 60(a) and section 15(5) results in quite a different package, a package which no more leaves chapter 2 a toothless dog which could only bark but cannot bite.’
Nigerian Constitution is bereft of provision that wields her citizens with locus to either sue against bad governance or enforce their fundamental objectives. This lacuna makes Nigerian leaders not to be prudent, accountable and caring in their day to day act of governance or administration of the nation.
Nigeria operates a uniform Constitution, however it has two contrast criminal legislations for her regions. Whereas, Criminal Code Act operates in Eastern and Western part of Nigeria, the Penal Code operates strictly in the Northern part. The disparity and dichotomy in the dual legislations, particularly as it relates to offences and its punishment; has been and is still a serious concern to many. Not only does these legislations portray the nation as one with two sovereign States, it also portray her as one that promotes and encourages extreme religious bigotry. Just recently, a Nigerian Sharia Court sentenced a musician to death for blasphemy relying on Penal Code. The verdict will not have been the same if the alleged blasphemy took place in the other section of Nigeria where Criminal Code applies.

Corruption

Non -adherence to Rule of Law

Granted that existence and applicability of an autochthonous Constitution, constitute a major problem to Nigeria; non-adherence to rule of law; is another serious problem that have made many to refer Nigeria as an Armageddon. For instance, Nigerian Constitution is explicit on how affairs of the nation ought and should be managed, however her leaders in their mad quest for power and insatiable greed, hardly adhere to same.
The recent 104 days sick vacation embarked upon by Nigerian President without transmitting a written declaration in that regard to the President of Senate and Speaker of National Assembly; speaks volume how laws are adhered to in Nigeria.
Other scenarios of how rule of law are adhered to in Nigeria can be best appreciated with the recent invasion of homes of Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria by security agents of Federal Governments just to cow them, the removal of Chief Justice of Nigeria from office by President Buhari on strength of ex-parte order obtained from Code of Conduct Tribunal, and barricading of National Assembly on the order of President in clear breach of Constitution.
The reckless massacre of armless Nigerians youths protesting over brutality of SARS/ police operatives at Lekki Toll gate on the 20th day of October 2020 by Nigerian Military in collaboration with Nigerian Government, the incessant extra-judicial pogrom of Nigerians, daily tortures of Nigerians, non provision of basic educational facilities for Academic Staff Union of Universities, non-payment of salaries to Nigerians workers and pensions to retirees, are few instances how Nigerian Government adhere to rule of law.
Local Government is the third tier of Nigerian government, with its specific roles and powers with State governments as it designated trustees. But rather than maintain, sustain this tier of government as the Constitution mandates, State governments derive pleasure in strangulating it by refusing to either fund it or conduct its election. Presently, there are virtually no elected Local Government officials and functional Local Government Councils in most States of the Federation. These quagmire exist and may never change because Nigerian leaders do not have regard for rule of law and hardly adhere to it. Reasons for this quagmire can be attributed to constitutionalimmunity they enjoy and political immunity they accord most of their cronies or allies while in power.

Corruption

  An average Nigerian understands corruption to mean two basic things; eating of national 'cake' by political elites and excessive extortion of monies by Policemen or other sundry officers from commuters. Though these beliefs aptly capture ingredients of corruption and what it entails,  corruption can best be described as, ' dishonesty and illegal behaviour by people in positions of authority or power.'  
      Problems of Nigeria are attributed to her leaders and the dishonest manner they pilot the affairs of the nation. In most cities, villages of Nigeria; citizens not only provide their basic amenities by themselves; but they also pay taxes to government after making provisions for what their ineffective government neglected, failed to provide, which is their constitutional enshrined duties. For instance, Nigerians pay and install electric polls, buy electric wire and  transformers  that supply light to their various houses and business outlets and still pay outrageous estimated monthly vending fee to various designated electricity distribution companies in their neighbourhood for either enjoying epileptic electricity supply or not using electricity.
   Nigerian leaders' are totally dishonest in their  administration of the Nigeria, they care less of issues that are unconnected to their personal gains. For the greater part of this year 2020, Nigerian tertiary institutions have been on strike owning to Federal government's failure to pay salaries and honour its 2009 agreement with Nigerian academic union. Rather than feel perturbed about the plight of her youths that are deprived of education due to the continuous strike, Nigerian government is busy making policies about ranching, asking natives to donate their land to  herders for grazing. It is worthy to note that Federal Government has already selected and mapped out grazing reserves in Northern States and is currently soliciting for  more reserves in eastern part of Nigeria.
  In Nigeria of today, cows have much value than human lives. Put differently, Nigerian government cares more for  the welfare of cows than her citizens. The fact that Nigerians are dying as result of hunger, constant unrest at the hands of Boko-haram, herders, Policemen, kidnappers and hoodlums means nothing  to Nigerian government.
 It is an open-secret that Nigeria is   among the most corrupt nation and by current index, is rated  as  Armageddon, hence appraising or highlighting instances of her corrupt practices here will be a waste of valuable time and paper.     But for the purposes of clarity, it is worthy to state that Frederick Forsyth's assertion of Nigeria as it relates to her endemic corruption in time past has not changed, the situation has worsened. It is Frederick's stance  that;In Africa as elsewhere political power means success and posterity, not only for the man who holds it but for his family, his birthplace and even his whole region of origin. As a result there are many who will go to any lengths to get it and having got it, will surpass themselves in order to keep  it.
  A clear indication of such length Nigerian leaders can go to keep their power were recently displayed with the massacre of armless #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate. After the massacre, the government abruptly  labeled the victims and sympathizers as hoodlums in-order to rubbish the essence of the protest, silence protesters and branded them miscreants before international observers and the world in general.      The hoarding,  retention and stockpiling of Convid 19 relief materials meant for citizens by State governments for their personal aggrandizement and their refusal to distribute same to indigent Nigerians till their locations were discovered, looted by hungry masses are clear indexes of extent Nigerian leaders can go all to retain power or sustain same. But, in all these irresponsible, illegal acts by Nigerian governments, average and indigent Nigerians are the ones that suffer it most.
 Owning to constant cruel attitude by Nigerian leaders to her citizens, total lack of basic amenities in the country and constant annihilation of Nigerians at the hands of her government, many Nigerians have already lost hope with the nation and her leaders. Presently, greater population of Nigerians are outside her shores and while many are desperately seeking for every available opportunity to abandon the country due to constant unrest, hardship and reckless murder that are constantly experienced in the country. 
 Nigeria is inflicted with series of problems, problems that are terminal though man-made. One may ask, can these problems be solved! The answer lies solely with Nigerians. 

Un-patriotism

An average Nigerian identifies himself first with his tribe, second with his religion and last and reluctantly though as Nigerian and never in the reverse order. This situation is shameful, bad and ought not to be so. However, one can only be proud and show patriotism to a nation that has value for his life and existence. Recently, a kidnapped United States of American citizen regained his freedom through the spirited efforts of her government from jaws of kidnappers in Nigeria. Such can never be the fate of a Nigerian from her government; the Chibok girls, Dapchi students and host other kidnaps; affirms this fact. Nigeria is a country where her government swore that her indigent, stranded Nigerians abroad, willing to return home are forced to bear all expanses for such exercise embarked upon by her government to bring them home. Upon being brought home, these indigent Nigerians are further forced to pay outrageous sum of money as convid 19 quarantine fee. These acts depict un-patriotism from Nigerian leaders and for this reason, it becomes hard for Nigerians to be patriotic or feign to be patriotic.
The seed of discord, disunity, un-patriotism, disintegration is clearly evident in Nigerian Constitution particularly with respect to classification of qualifies as Nigerian citizen, same manner States and Local Government Areas were disproportionately and evenly distributed across the nation. Average Nigerians only see themselves as ‘Nigerians’ and unite accordingly either when they are cheering their national teams or demonstrating over a common cause.
On the part of elite class, they see themselves as Nigerians and pretentiously chant patriotic psalms when they either desire to contest for political posts or win masses sympathy. The international communities are aware of this fact and are usually quick to exploit this discord to the detriment of Nigeria and her citizens.
Nigeria is like an endowed and unrivaled queen that is married to a drunk. The drunk will definitely wreck her same manner Nigerian leaders are wrecking Nigeria. Aside, bad leadership, non-patriotism; Nigeria’s over reliance on foreign goods and services, is another vice that spells doom for her. The indigenous and popular say that, ‘chaos exist for the benefits of the elites’ is true about Nigeria and her endemic problems. It is the view of many that Nigeria is an Armageddon today and will continue to be so, save those that benefits from her misfortunes are cut off. This work agrees with this submission.
Nigeria as an oil producing nation does not have a functional refinery, however it sells crude oil and import fuel on daily basis. Nigeria has an indigenous car manufacturing company but delights in procuring foreign made vehicles rather than patronize hers. Of a truth, problems of Nigeria are man-made; Nigeria problem is leadership and only Nigerians can solve it.

Conclusion

 Problems of Nigeria are made-man and can only be solved with the right leadership and  positive change of  mindset. There is need to enact an autochthonous Constitution which will empower Nigerians with locus to sue her leaders where they fail to implement ANY provision of the Constitution.
Overtimes,  Nigerians have lost confidence in Nigeria and her leaders, and this is not healthy for the well-being, and national growth of the nation. For this reason, there is urgent need for Nigerian leaders to win the confidence of citizens by providing needed basic amenities  for Nigerians and effectively engage her youths in academic researches, gainful schemes that will keep them busy and make them much productive. Stringent penalties must be enacted to deter Nigerian leaders from engaging in illegal conducts that tarnishes the image of the nation, and portrays it as  an Armageddon.
Nigerian government must sincerely care for the lives and welfare of her citizens it desires patriotism from. If these reforms are implemented, Nigerians will be proud to be Nigerians, they will have genuine cause to unite and work for the betterment of the nation.             

By Barr Chibuike Okafo
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