The Insight by Lateef Adewole
“Ha! What’s this guy saying again? Is he not overreaching himself in his “wild” imaginations with this?” (Laughs).
The above is what I imagined will likely be the reaction of some people to the title of this article, especially, the “traditional” or should I say; “professional” politicians. Though, they are in the “minority” as far as the country is concerned. They will wonder if I were drunk. This is because, they must feel I am encroaching their territory by speaking about who should be president, something they believe is their “prerogative”.
However, in the likes, there will be millions of people who will be so excited about such prospect. They will be ready to immerse themselves in such project, body and soul. They will be ready to make as much sacrifices as needed. A very senior medical doctor and friend even said he will volunteer to campaign for Professor Oloyede if he is to contest for the president. That is how serious the interest is. And fortunately, people in this category are in the majority.
If there is anything that I have learnt in the last one week, it is the fact that, many Nigerians love their country and they want the best for her. They fantasize about a leadership of their dream which will turn things around for the better, in the interest of the country and the citizens. They want people with great capacity, competence and integrity to lead Nigeria at the top (Presidency), as well as other levels and arms of government. They desire quality leadership. But, we all seem to be stuck!
Since I began my weekly article series, the last week article about Professor Ishaq Oloyede and his leadership of JAMB, got one of the biggest reviews. And more are still coming, even as I am writing this. So numerous comments, reactions, accolades, appreciations, etc, about the article and the Professor, bombarded my social media platforms. Some even put calls across to me. It was as if people were waiting for someone to write about him and his exploit at JAMB.
Few people even assumed that I was engaged to do the writing and some even sought to be linked up to him. Unfortunately for them, I have never met the professor in person. I have only followed his trajectory and activities for some years. His eventual appointment to JAMB and his phenomenon strides gave me hope for better Nigeria, hence, that article.
It was some of the comments that brought about the title of today’s article and prompted me to write a follow-up. While many wished, hoped and prayed to have someone like him as our future president, many others suggested he becomes a governor at the state level, or appointed as INEC chairman, made a minister, given head of any critical financial agency, and so on.
I had course to interact with few on the presidency issue, where I expressed my own reservations. While I completely agree with them that he is the kind of leader we want, my worry was about “how”, given the slippery nature of our political terrain in Nigeria. How is that even possible, if not by “magic”? Objectively, many agreed with me but many die-hard optimists felt it is very possible.
Like I have often said in many of my writings, our system is such that, we never present our “best eleven”. Many who lead us are often not from our best. They emerge from our dysfunctional political processes which ensure the “not the best” emerged, most of the time. The bests are either in the reserve, if at all they are lucky, or not selected at all. The system is already “inherently” rigged against many genuine and honest people, who are only interested in serving their people and not their pockets. People like Professor Oloyede that we are saying.
Although, once in a while, we do have a “flash in the pan”, where one or two of such people “accidentally” get elected into political office. But that have been at the state level or in the parliament. The current governor of Oyo state may eventually fall into that mold if he continues as he has started few months ago. He is still surprising many Nigerians with his actions since he came on board. We have not been that lucky at the Presidency and most of the states.
In Nigeria today, how many “honest” Nigerians, who worked very hard or youths, in whose interest, the “Not too young to run” bill was signed into law, can afford to spend the kind of stupendous amount of money required to get to political offices? Where even ordinary nomination and expression of interest forms cost millions of naira for the two major political parties, as high as 55 million naira for the presidency in APC and 12 million in PDP. Governorship was 22.5 million naira in APC and 6 million in PDP (because they are now in opposition) in the last general elections. So, how many Nigerians can afford that?
Even, our dear President Buhari, while he was a candidate in 2003, 2007 and 2011, failed to win the presidential elections because only limited “corrupt” funds were available to deploy. What happened in 2015? Was it not until he “succumbed” to be associated with those with deep pockets, who not only could oil the wheel of the political machinery but could provide the entire cart, that he finally won? These are issues in the public domain. As the Yorubas will say: “arun oju ni, kii se arun imu” (it is what the eyes can see, it does not need to be perceived with nose).
In Nigeria, many of our bests and brightest never attained the highest office of the land. There was always one huddle or another placed in their paths. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who many regard as “sage”, because of his “uncommon” (and I do not mean the type of that Akwa Ibom man o!) wisdom. His visionary and revolutionary leadership while he led the western region (1951-59) and as leader of the ruling party, UPN (1979-83), in the South-West, transformed the region at the time, the foundation on which today was built, though, many “akotiletas” (prodigal sons) have destroyed some of those legacies). But he never got to lead Nigeria.
The closest we had was with Chief MKO Abiola, who after a series of transition programmes of political “abracadabra” of General Babangida; registering and deregistring parties, banning and unbanning candidates, he contested and won the June 12, 1993 presidential election (officially undeclared). Hope ’93! But alas, the acclaimed freest and fairest election in Nigeria was annulled. Abiola’s quest to reclaim his mandate eventually consumed him. He died in prison, where he was incarcerated for demanding for his mandate.
The 2019 general elections paraded some of our brightest, young, vibrant, and competent citizens, who vied for various political posts, including the presidency but what happened? They all failed! Many did not even garner up to 5000 votes.
So, why are we like that? Are we jinxed not to get the best of political leadership? Are we programmed to fail from inception? Are we destined to continue to fumble and wobble all through our national life, despite the enormous resources, both human and natural, that we are blessed with? These and many more, are the million dollar questions that trouble the hearts of many Nigerians.
Therefore, those who are already canvassing to make Professor Oloyede our future president must go back to the drawing board, analyse the political space and evaluate what it takes to attain that position in Nigeria’s unnecessarily complex political environment. It cannot be “wished” to reality. It will involve serious hard work.
My other argument is that, Professor Oloyede is succeeding in implementing his reforms at JAMB, without being hindered, only because he is not stepping on “political” toes. The people who appointed him do not feel threatened by his activities, since they have no direct bearing on their political interests. Otherwise, there is likelihood that he would have been constrained. They can never trade their “personal” political interests for any national interest. It is rare!
That is why in my opinion, I will like to see Professor Oloyede appointed as INEC chairman in future. Considering the critical nature of such position, a person of Professor’s caliber and who can put his foot down, will make a lot difference in its administration. But will they appoint him? That remained to be seen.
If electoral reforms are done, and competent and uncompromising head appointed for INEC, we may begin to get our political selection process right, which in turn, will throw up quality political leaders. Politics determines the essence of every other life of a nation.
So, if we have a dream of having people like Professor Oloyede as our future president, the time to begin is now. It is a collective responsibility. The citizens must resolve to put forth, the best among them. They need to be actively involved in political party politics, where the actual foundational choices of who becomes the candidates are made.
Effective mobilisation and support, financial and otherwise, for the preferred persons to lead us, should not be left for the candidates and or parties alone. Citizens must own the process. People must register to vote, as well as participate in the actual voting. They should not sell their votes, which allows money-bags to high-jack the entire process. Only through this can people like Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who may not have billions of naira to dole out, ever becomes Nigerian president.
May God continue to guide us aright.
God Bless Nigeria.
