By Soneye Abdul-Azeez Lekan
I have been reading a lot of posts recently where everyone is talking about youths leading Nigeria and that only a man of integrity can solve our problems. Hardly would you see anyone mention something else. Truly I have much desire for these things also. But in reality, are these two features the only criteria in choosing the best solution for us in 2019? Hell NO!
I believe there are better criteria to be looked into in selecting who to lead us. In fact, youthfulness might not even be a criterion in reality. Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi is a youth and he is proving himself to be one of the greatest disasters that could have ever happened to Nigeria. Dimeji Bankole was a youth as the Speaker of the second chamber, he proved to us that a youth can steal more than the old thieves. And I will continue to mention on and on.
To kill our hope is to even conclude that any former National Association Of Nigerian Students (NANS) leader is a good option for us. We all saw how compromised Tony Nwoye became and the events revolving around him in 2017 Anambra’s gubernatorial election. He lost gallantly because he is compromised. We all saw the kind of shameful act Armstrong Ovie-Afabor and Aruna Kadiri displayed here on Facebook last week. They exposed the likes of atrocities they’ve committed so far. One claim to have given the other money at different times more than a million naira while the other claims Kadiri is too old to be in NANS. But in reality they are both too old and corrupt to be in NANS. That is how deadly our youths can be. Would you present any of them to me as local councillor aspirant and I won’t campaign against them with the last thing I have?
To make it worse, Fela Durotoye has been making the momentum lately. He is aspiring for presidency in 2019. Some people are already campaigning for him because he is a motivational speaker. That is another headache we must not allow in 2019. In fact, if there are no other options except Buhari and Atiku in 2019 I will vote for either of them again rather than Durotoye. I will justify my reasons. Buhari and Atiku at least knows how to, they may only choose not to. They are up-to-date about our political and economic system. A devil known is better than a strange angel. On the other hand, Fela Durotoye has been living all his life motivating people and organising “How To Make It In Life” seminars. Is that a quality to make him better than these septuagenarians? NO. There have been a lot of crises in the country over the years, no statement from Durotoye that I can remember. I have been involved in almost all student’s movements since 2016 in one way or the other, I never met this man. I have never seen a supportive statement from him. None of pro students’ elders ever mentioned his name. Our health sector has collapsed and turned to consulting room. I never heard a critical statement from him. The economic is depressed, he has not talked. It clearly shows he has no stand. He has no opinion on government’s policies. Then how is he supposed to rule the largest black nation? There is a clear difference between leading a nation to success and guiding an individual to success. I learnt he graduated from OAU. The school which has produced the most productive human rights persons in Nigeria as far as I know. The school has been in crises since last year, this man can’t even remember his school. The students’ union can’t look up to him for assistance despite being a successful product of the school. So what’s your reason(s) for shouting his name? If you think my arguments is wrong, then bring out your evidence to nullify my points.
We can’t continue to make decisions in desperation. They are criteria for choosing a leader. The biggest mistake we made in 2015 was that we only thought integrity alone is the only criterion to choosing a good leader. Perhaps Buhari truly had integrity then but his knowledge of “how to” has made him fail and his integrity tainted. The political family he has caused him a great detriment.
In choosing our leaders, we have to make “antecedent” the most important criterion. What has been the past achievements and leadership role played by the various candidates before us should be first question. What is this person known for? And we shouldn’t mistake position for achievements. Position is holding a post; achievements is making the best use of the position. What is the opinion of the candidate over the years on economy, education, health, agriculture etc.
Someone can’t just come out of nowhere and say he wants to be our president. What knowledge does he have about governance? Has he been a pro masses or a docile individual? These are questions to ask. The kind of political family members and source of income should be our criteria also. If a candidate has been earning his money from being a Special Assistant to a governor or something and he crossed carpet to a youths dominated party because of his ambition. He is likely to be a worse devil. I would like a youth who is younger than the age of Nigeria to emerge in 2019, but not a youth who is a godson or naive about governance. Integrity or honesty alone can’t do it. The intelligent Knowledge of “who gets what, when and how?” and the capacity to do it should be a great determinant.
Nigerians, do not allow your frustration control your reasoning.
