Putting it another way, have Nigerians been getting the leadership they deserve? But has Nigeria actually had leaders, in the real sense of that word?
W.G.Bennis defines leadership as the capacity to translate vision into reality while F.G.B.Rodgers defines it as the ability of an individual through his actions to motivate others to higher levels of achievement. In the context of these definitions, has Nigeria had people at all levels of governance with vision, who act to motivate others? Unfortunately no! All we have had in Nigeria have been a succession of rulers, from the Colonialists to their native inheritors, who governed like potentates ensconced in gilded cages far removed from the realities of life for the ruled.
In such a situation, can he have visions of actions to take to motivate his subjects to higher achievements? Is it any wonder Nigeria's growth has been stunted, a baby unable to stand up, not to talk about crawling, at the age of 48.
Living in this unreality, surrounded by court jesters to advise him, he is shielded from interaction with the generality of his subjects and, as has been the situation in such an arrangement, these court jesters have filled the leadership vacuum, constituting themselves into a feudalistic cabal. They determine who sees the Potentate, who gets what appointment thus using this to place their collaborators and acolytes in strategic positions. Paradoxically, over time, relishing the power they have skilfully acquired, they started enthroning even the Potentates who pilot while they navigate.
But why have Nigerians not tried to throw out these pretenders since it is said that power belongs to the people? The French Revolution highlighted that power. Why can Nigerians not muster the power to determine their leadership? Please post your contributions on this site as it will help in determining whether Nigeria will succeed as a nation.
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