By Ayo Oyoze Baje
Quote
“If your actions create a legacy that inspired others to dream more,learn more,do more and become more, then, you are an incredible leader”
-Dolly Parton ( Superstar American musician, now of blessed memory )
Let us begin with a simple question: What images, ideas and feelings come to the mind of others when your name is mentioned? Or, from the marketing perspective, what brand do you exhibit, portray and showcase in the public sphere? This question has become imperative as directed to Nigeria’s political elite, especially those interested in contesting for one plum political office or another, more so as the 2027 general elections inch closer by the day.
With the campaigns hitting the top gear soon, it is pertinent to highlight the fact that if you are currently serving in office and you want re-election and you are of the firm opinion that you have done your best in line with the dictates of democratic principles
there are some things you do not have to do within this campaign period. That is more so, if you have served the interests of the people who you claim to have elected you into office.
For instance, strange as it might sound, you do not need to spend billions of money-stolen or not -to buy and share bags of rice, beans, indomie, vegetable oil and all what not, to canvass for the people’s votes. You do not need to castigate, intimidate, malign and mudsling your political opponents. You do not need to cast aspersions on them with vile vituperation. No! That is more like leaving the substance of good governance and chasing the shadows of self aggrandizement.
It would therefore, be much better to focus strictly on what you have so far achieved while in office, with empirical evidences on ground
and how you intend to sustain such and mprove on them. Also, if it happens that you are coming in to contest for the office for outside it, open up on your vision, agenda, plans and purpose, with a priority list to better the quality of life of the electorate.
Indeed, getting into office is not by force or fiat. You do not have to force yourself on the people you intend to serve. It is up to them to choose you or not, strictly based on the all-important element of Trust. So, if you are currently in office and you want to be re-elected, did you fulfill the promises you made during the previous campaigns, or you want to take the long-suffering Nigerians for another donkey ride? That is the million – naira question.
Methinks that we have had enough of this dysfunctional political structure that is characterized by the payment of huge sums of nomination forms of between N40 million and N100 million for the candidates. That portends great danger for running government here in Nigeria as that has automatically turned political offices into business centres, as such candidates see the humongous amounts as investment to be recouped once they mount the pedestal of political power.
Such huge sums have instantly eliminated patriots who may have answers to our myriad of challenges but lack the huge funds to manipulate themselves into office. And for those who succeed in the payment they view political office as an avenue to serve the self rather than the state. With time they turn themselves into demi-gods, always wanting to be feared and worshipped. That sad and sordid political situation has made it mandatory for us all to understand what true leadership really is.
If indeed, our crop of political helmsmen have the fear of God would they deliberately impoverish the masses with excruciating , anti-people policies and capitalize on such an anomaly to dole out peanuts for campaigns? The answer is patently obvious.
But what we need, as a people are God-fearing
leaders who would
subsume their selfish inclinations to satisfy the common good for the greater majority of the people. That is what translates into true servant- leadership as Wilson Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandi, Martin Luther King Jnr, and
Nelson Mandela epitomized. As well as our own Nnamidi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Aminu Kano all stood for by putting the national interest far above theirs. And that was a mantra which late President Umar Yar’Adua strived to inculcate in the mindset of the political class before his demise.
Within that context, one believes, and strongly so that selfless leaders do not need billions of money to campaign for re-election. Two examples would suffice. These include the multiple award-winning Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan, who currently represents Kogi Central Senatorial District at the Senate and of course, the globally acclaimed icon of good governance, incumbent governor of Abia state,Dr. Alex Otti. The empirical evidences are out there for all to see, to admire and to appreciate.
For instance, Natasha’s key achievements span the spectrum of infrastructural development, security,
education and technology, social wellbeing, youth empowerment and scholarship awards.
She facilitated the reconstruction of thef Ihima Police Station, lit up 30km of roads with solar streetlights, and spearheaded the construction of “Smart Markets” in Okene and Okehi Local Government Areas to support local traders.
On education and technology she overhauled the laboratories of Abdul Azeez Attah Memorial College (AAAMCO) in Okene, equipping it with mechatronics, biology, and agronomy equipment.
She has distributed thousands of digital learning devices to students and launched an educational support foundation that funds hundreds of scholars.
Furthermore, she has equipped thousands of constituents with business tools, including sewing machines, refrigerators, gas cookers, and grinding machines. She also sponsored business registrations and provided seed capital for local entrepreneurs.
On legislative advocacy she consistently champions the economic revitalization of the Ajaokuta Steel Mill and advocates for National gold and solid mineral sector reforms to diversify the Nigerian economy
With regards to Governor, Dr Alex
Otti, his administration has maintained fiscal discipline, reduced the state’s debt profile by over 70 per cent through prudent financial management and accountability.
The state has within his three years in office completed 414 road projects covering over 800 kilometres, while another 82 roads stretching over 200 kilometres would soon be completed and commissioned.
On healthcare, projects at the Abia State Teaching Hospital and Amachara General Hospital are to be completed to further expand the tertiary healthcare space. Also, close to 1,000 healthcare professionals have been recruited and deployed to health facilities across the state. That is because in the new Abia, the first measure of wealth is the health of the people.
His administration had invested heavily in education and youth empowerment through technology-driven initiatives focused on software engineering, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity training, adding that over N300m had been earmarked to support technology-based enterprises and innovation across the state.
And on workers’ welfare, Otti has walked the talk on the commitment to the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, noting that sustained collaboration with security agencies had improved the safety of lives and property across the state.
With these tremendous, impact-making and life-changing achievements by both beacon bearers of selfless leadership, they do not need thugs, rice shearers or election manipulators to get them back into office. And all that is because their “actions have created a legacy that has inspired their people to dream more,learn more, do more and become more”, as Dolly Parton rightly highlighted.
