The-skewed-leadership-style-in-nigeria-delta-state-as-a-good-example
September 7, 2020 | News
THE SKEWED LEADERSHIP STYLE IN NIGERIA – DELTA STATE AS A GOOD EXAMPLE
Without a doubt, on the general scale, the issue of nepotism, favouritism, ethnicitism, religion and political affiliations have been the attributing factors that has made the nation not to have political leaders that ought to be elected/appointed on merit and qualification to effectively and efficiently lead the country to great heights. These issues, have ‘blinded’ both the government and the governed from making sound and good judgements in the appropriation of public resources for the good of all and sundry by those in authorities, and in demanding such when they are not getting it right by those being governed. In other words, it is as if our multi-cultural bearings have over the years, made us to be more self-serving/self-centered when it comes to governance and the appropriation of our collective wealth as a people in the entity called Nigeria.
While the degree and level this is evident in the polity varies in different past and recent governments, but it appears it is more obvious and prevalent in the present Muhammadu Buhari administration than we have seen same in past governments. A look at all the Federal Government appointments to sensitive top Government positions since its inception, as well as the ‘body language’ and disposition of the Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Buhari, are very clear and undeniable indicators of this verifiable fact – that President Muhammadu Buhari’s proclivity at pampering his ethnic stock over and above the other ethnic nationalities, is the highest Nigerians have witnessed in the country’s history. There are countless published/unpublished interviews by relevant stakeholders, elder statemen, including letters/articles and public statements justifying this fact.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria, both past and present administrations, are not our focus here on the subject matter. We have decided to take a closer look at Delta State, to also explain this ‘rooted problem’, which has adversely affected our ‘holistic growth and development’ as a people. Like what we have highlighted about the Federal Government, Delta State, like most other States in country, is also affected by this problem. However, we would see that the degree and level this is evident, varied with the character, personality, belief and principles of the individual occupying the Government’s seat at the particular time in question.
From 1999 to date, Delta State has had Chief James Ibori (1999-2007), Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (2007-2015), and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (2015-present), as Executive Governors of the State, and within this period, there have been obvious and controversial opinions concerning how these political leaders varied in how they handled/managed the State’s public wealth/resources in the overall good of all, or more for themselves and their ethnic orientation as the case may be. For Ibori, while some believe that his time in Office as Governor, was far better than those before and after him, and this is in terms of the execution and provision infrastructural projects across the whole State, others are of the opinion that Ibori was a very controversial and powerful Governor, who used State apparatus and wealth to intimidate others opposed to his then government. Though, most people believe that Ibori did more in the area of infrastructure, particularly road constructions like Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Warri link road, the famous Airport Express Road, as well as how he opened-up Asaba the State capital with vital roads, etc.
In spite of this record however, Ibori’s style of leadership was said to be concentrated in his home town, Oghara, more than other areas of the State. His preference, focus and attention on his home town was so obvious that it seems as if they were the only people who elected him as Governor, while others were left to only get crumps from his government. Oghara was turned into a mini-city, with the State’s Teaching Hospital located there, and a standard stadium that not being put to judicious use because of its location. Ibori practically developed his home town Oghara to the point it is presently. Though, James Onanefe Ibori can be described as a household name in Nigeria – either good or bad, and the most controversial, infamous, yet still celebrated and influential former governor in Nigeria’s political scenes, one thing that stood out at his exit and after his reign on the State’s seat of power, was when he pleaded guilty, on Monday (20/02/2012) to charges of money-laundering and conspiracy to defraud Delta State in Nigeria, in a South Wark Crown Court, UK, while facing a 10 – count charge brought against him by the British Metropolitan Police. The British police had accused him of stealing $250 million (about N38.75 billion at the exchange rate of $1 to N155) over eight (8) years that he was governor. This resulted in him serving a jail term in a London prison, until returned last year, and has since then is still influencing things in the State’s politics.
Ibori’s successor, who also happens to be his cousin, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was first made Commissioner for Health during the first two years of Ibori’s first Term in office, before he was later made Secretary to the Delta State Government for the remaining years Ibori was in office. As Governor, many believed that Uduaghan had the same ideal and style of leadership like Ibori, which saw the appointment of more of his people into the State Government. While some people are of the opinion that Ibori did more in terms of infrastructural development than Uduaghan, others are of the opinion that Uduaghan was more of a Governor that has a listening ear, was one who was reading and responding to letters and concerns of stakeholders brought to his attention, was not aggressive, was not known to have used State resources and power to intimidate people. Though, Uduaghan is believed by many to have tried in the execution of few infrastructural projects across the State, the ones that stood out, was his ‘Beautification Project and style of Adorning and Decorating the major urban Streets of the State with street lights, Christmas decorations during the yuletide season, big screen TVs mounted on major Junctions for public views. But all of that, including the big generators stationed to power them, were left abandoned as scraps and was not sustainable, especially in the last few years of his time in office and even till date.
Another project that stood out for Uduaghan was the location and construction of Delta Mall, which also harbors Shoprite, and a flyover around the famous Effurun-Roundabout. But under Uduaghan, a whole lot of infrastructural projects were left uncompleted and abandoned out-rightly during his eight-year reign in office as Governor. This includes the Osubi Airstrip Expansion/Runway Project, the failed BRT Lane on the famous Warri-Sapele/Effurun-Sapele Road, Some school projects, the ICT Park, the Effurun-Eku road, Koko Port Free Trade Zone, Trans Warri – Ode Itsekiri Road and Bridges, etc. Though, Uduaghan was able to build the Asaba Airport, which some people believe that he built for Anambra State, however, till date, that Airport is yet to be approved by Nigerian Aviation Authorities because of the facility’s haphazard conception, construction and delivery.
Then came the present Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, whom many believe that he is more a governor to Delta North than to those in Delta South and Delta Central as his impact is not being felt by Deltans in these parts of the State. It is as if Okowa has concentrated most of his governance efforts in the satisfaction of some interests and stakeholders who had contributed to his ascension to power as Governor, which allegedly included Ibori. Though, Ibori was still in UK prison when Okowa came to power, he had instructed his “follow-follow” followers to vote immensely for his ‘political son’, Okowa, whom he had projected when he was governor of the State. The satisfaction of these interests is reflected in Okowa’s political appointments, contracts awarded, projects being executed and policies/bills initiated and passed by the State Assembly. Some people are even of the opinion that Okowa is carrying out an “Anioma Agenda” and one that favours those in Delta North (especially the stakeholders from his place in Ika North and South), more than other parts of the State. As such, there appears to be more Government presence, in terms of new structures (including privately-owned residential buildings), and roads springing up in these parts of Delta North than other constituencies of the State. This is similar to what Ibori did while he was Governor of the State. In our rating, Uduaghan appeared to be more of a liberal and listening governor who tried to bring everyone into the picture, than the other two governors, even though he abandoned a lot of projects and left many things undone. Many people might not agree with us on this rating, but that is how we see it.
Like we said above, these attributes and style of governance that is clothed and wrapped-in-nepotism/favoritism, is very obvious across different parts of Nigeria and in varying degrees and dimensions. But that one which beats all the records noted so far, is what has been going on under the President Buhari administration at the Federal level of Government. When virtually all the juicy and key appointments at the Federal level are Fulani/people of the Northern extraction, then something is seriously wrong somewhere. It is as if these were the only people that voted him into power. Forgetting that as Nigeria’s President, the whole country is his ‘Federal Constituency.’
This is the basic difference between our Nigerian political leaders and those of the Western and developed world. Where, once a person is elected as President or Prime Minister, that person takes their entire country as their constituency and not favouring his birthplace than others. This is reflected in their political appointments, execution of basic infrastructural projects and implementation of government policies. And as such, these foreign countries have gone light-ahead of us in all ramifications because political leaders are not only elected and appointed based on merit and verifiable credibility, but also, these political leaders truly understand what it means to offer ‘public service’ on the basis of sacrifice and leaving a good legacy behind.
Sadly, the situation in Nigeria, in terms of style of leadership, can best be described as cruel, wicked, selfish, ungodly, unproductive, dysfunctional and retrogressive to development. That is why it aches our heart that this skewed style of leadership is quite evident in high degree under President Buhari. And without a doubt, this is costing the nation a great deal, bringing about more division, disunity, antagonism, insecurity, apprehension and what have you in the entire polity. Though, there are rumours that some powerful political elements, some of whom are in the opposition, and whose toes have been stepped on by this administration’s anti-corruption crusade, have been the ones taking advantage of every insecurity situation in the country to try and sabotage the Buhari Government. We are not even bothered to ask whether these rumours are true or not. The big issue is, the Buhari-led-APC Government has not been helping matters at all with their style, body language and disposition in handling sensitive issues/happenings in the country. Like the President’s refusal and reluctance till date, to visit and condole with the people of Benue over the murder of 73 persons (mostly Christians) by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Yet, the President had time to go to visit nearby Nasarawa State to commission a project, within the same period.
We can see how this myopic, biased and condescending mindset that is wrapped with religion, ethnicity, and tribalism have adversely affected us as a people, and have prevented us from moving ahead as we ought to as a nation. Where does all of this leave us? Until we realize that we need more godliness than religion; more work and less hope; more action and less words; and more patriotism than nepotism, we would continue to remain and retrogress as a supposed ‘developing’ and ‘third-world’ nation regardless of our enormous human and natural resourcefulness. But like we have always advised, let everyone tidy up his or her corner first and demand fervently that our political leaders tidy their areas of governance. Our nation is degenerating at a fast pace and we need to save it now. We as a people must positively change our attitude towards our dear country!
Zik Gbemre, JP.
Without a doubt, on the general scale, the issue of nepotism, favouritism, ethnicitism, religion and political affiliations have been the attributing factors that has made the nation not to have political leaders that ought to be elected/appointed on merit and qualification to effectively and efficiently lead the country to great heights. These issues, have ‘blinded’ both the government and the governed from making sound and good judgements in the appropriation of public resources for the good of all and sundry by those in authorities, and in demanding such when they are not getting it right by those being governed. In other words, it is as if our multi-cultural bearings have over the years, made us to be more self-serving/self-centered when it comes to governance and the appropriation of our collective wealth as a people in the entity called Nigeria.
While the degree and level this is evident in the polity varies in different past and recent governments, but it appears it is more obvious and prevalent in the present Muhammadu Buhari administration than we have seen same in past governments. A look at all the Federal Government appointments to sensitive top Government positions since its inception, as well as the ‘body language’ and disposition of the Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Buhari, are very clear and undeniable indicators of this verifiable fact – that President Muhammadu Buhari’s proclivity at pampering his ethnic stock over and above the other ethnic nationalities, is the highest Nigerians have witnessed in the country’s history. There are countless published/unpublished interviews by relevant stakeholders, elder statemen, including letters/articles and public statements justifying this fact.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria, both past and present administrations, are not our focus here on the subject matter. We have decided to take a closer look at Delta State, to also explain this ‘rooted problem’, which has adversely affected our ‘holistic growth and development’ as a people. Like what we have highlighted about the Federal Government, Delta State, like most other States in country, is also affected by this problem. However, we would see that the degree and level this is evident, varied with the character, personality, belief and principles of the individual occupying the Government’s seat at the particular time in question.
From 1999 to date, Delta State has had Chief James Ibori (1999-2007), Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (2007-2015), and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (2015-present), as Executive Governors of the State, and within this period, there have been obvious and controversial opinions concerning how these political leaders varied in how they handled/managed the State’s public wealth/resources in the overall good of all, or more for themselves and their ethnic orientation as the case may be. For Ibori, while some believe that his time in Office as Governor, was far better than those before and after him, and this is in terms of the execution and provision infrastructural projects across the whole State, others are of the opinion that Ibori was a very controversial and powerful Governor, who used State apparatus and wealth to intimidate others opposed to his then government. Though, most people believe that Ibori did more in the area of infrastructure, particularly road constructions like Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Warri link road, the famous Airport Express Road, as well as how he opened-up Asaba the State capital with vital roads, etc.
In spite of this record however, Ibori’s style of leadership was said to be concentrated in his home town, Oghara, more than other areas of the State. His preference, focus and attention on his home town was so obvious that it seems as if they were the only people who elected him as Governor, while others were left to only get crumps from his government. Oghara was turned into a mini-city, with the State’s Teaching Hospital located there, and a standard stadium that not being put to judicious use because of its location. Ibori practically developed his home town Oghara to the point it is presently. Though, James Onanefe Ibori can be described as a household name in Nigeria – either good or bad, and the most controversial, infamous, yet still celebrated and influential former governor in Nigeria’s political scenes, one thing that stood out at his exit and after his reign on the State’s seat of power, was when he pleaded guilty, on Monday (20/02/2012) to charges of money-laundering and conspiracy to defraud Delta State in Nigeria, in a South Wark Crown Court, UK, while facing a 10 – count charge brought against him by the British Metropolitan Police. The British police had accused him of stealing $250 million (about N38.75 billion at the exchange rate of $1 to N155) over eight (8) years that he was governor. This resulted in him serving a jail term in a London prison, until returned last year, and has since then is still influencing things in the State’s politics.
Ibori’s successor, who also happens to be his cousin, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was first made Commissioner for Health during the first two years of Ibori’s first Term in office, before he was later made Secretary to the Delta State Government for the remaining years Ibori was in office. As Governor, many believed that Uduaghan had the same ideal and style of leadership like Ibori, which saw the appointment of more of his people into the State Government. While some people are of the opinion that Ibori did more in terms of infrastructural development than Uduaghan, others are of the opinion that Uduaghan was more of a Governor that has a listening ear, was one who was reading and responding to letters and concerns of stakeholders brought to his attention, was not aggressive, was not known to have used State resources and power to intimidate people. Though, Uduaghan is believed by many to have tried in the execution of few infrastructural projects across the State, the ones that stood out, was his ‘Beautification Project and style of Adorning and Decorating the major urban Streets of the State with street lights, Christmas decorations during the yuletide season, big screen TVs mounted on major Junctions for public views. But all of that, including the big generators stationed to power them, were left abandoned as scraps and was not sustainable, especially in the last few years of his time in office and even till date.
Another project that stood out for Uduaghan was the location and construction of Delta Mall, which also harbors Shoprite, and a flyover around the famous Effurun-Roundabout. But under Uduaghan, a whole lot of infrastructural projects were left uncompleted and abandoned out-rightly during his eight-year reign in office as Governor. This includes the Osubi Airstrip Expansion/Runway Project, the failed BRT Lane on the famous Warri-Sapele/Effurun-Sapele Road, Some school projects, the ICT Park, the Effurun-Eku road, Koko Port Free Trade Zone, Trans Warri – Ode Itsekiri Road and Bridges, etc. Though, Uduaghan was able to build the Asaba Airport, which some people believe that he built for Anambra State, however, till date, that Airport is yet to be approved by Nigerian Aviation Authorities because of the facility’s haphazard conception, construction and delivery.
Then came the present Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, whom many believe that he is more a governor to Delta North than to those in Delta South and Delta Central as his impact is not being felt by Deltans in these parts of the State. It is as if Okowa has concentrated most of his governance efforts in the satisfaction of some interests and stakeholders who had contributed to his ascension to power as Governor, which allegedly included Ibori. Though, Ibori was still in UK prison when Okowa came to power, he had instructed his “follow-follow” followers to vote immensely for his ‘political son’, Okowa, whom he had projected when he was governor of the State. The satisfaction of these interests is reflected in Okowa’s political appointments, contracts awarded, projects being executed and policies/bills initiated and passed by the State Assembly. Some people are even of the opinion that Okowa is carrying out an “Anioma Agenda” and one that favours those in Delta North (especially the stakeholders from his place in Ika North and South), more than other parts of the State. As such, there appears to be more Government presence, in terms of new structures (including privately-owned residential buildings), and roads springing up in these parts of Delta North than other constituencies of the State. This is similar to what Ibori did while he was Governor of the State. In our rating, Uduaghan appeared to be more of a liberal and listening governor who tried to bring everyone into the picture, than the other two governors, even though he abandoned a lot of projects and left many things undone. Many people might not agree with us on this rating, but that is how we see it.
Like we said above, these attributes and style of governance that is clothed and wrapped-in-nepotism/favoritism, is very obvious across different parts of Nigeria and in varying degrees and dimensions. But that one which beats all the records noted so far, is what has been going on under the President Buhari administration at the Federal level of Government. When virtually all the juicy and key appointments at the Federal level are Fulani/people of the Northern extraction, then something is seriously wrong somewhere. It is as if these were the only people that voted him into power. Forgetting that as Nigeria’s President, the whole country is his ‘Federal Constituency.’
This is the basic difference between our Nigerian political leaders and those of the Western and developed world. Where, once a person is elected as President or Prime Minister, that person takes their entire country as their constituency and not favouring his birthplace than others. This is reflected in their political appointments, execution of basic infrastructural projects and implementation of government policies. And as such, these foreign countries have gone light-ahead of us in all ramifications because political leaders are not only elected and appointed based on merit and verifiable credibility, but also, these political leaders truly understand what it means to offer ‘public service’ on the basis of sacrifice and leaving a good legacy behind.
Sadly, the situation in Nigeria, in terms of style of leadership, can best be described as cruel, wicked, selfish, ungodly, unproductive, dysfunctional and retrogressive to development. That is why it aches our heart that this skewed style of leadership is quite evident in high degree under President Buhari. And without a doubt, this is costing the nation a great deal, bringing about more division, disunity, antagonism, insecurity, apprehension and what have you in the entire polity. Though, there are rumours that some powerful political elements, some of whom are in the opposition, and whose toes have been stepped on by this administration’s anti-corruption crusade, have been the ones taking advantage of every insecurity situation in the country to try and sabotage the Buhari Government. We are not even bothered to ask whether these rumours are true or not. The big issue is, the Buhari-led-APC Government has not been helping matters at all with their style, body language and disposition in handling sensitive issues/happenings in the country. Like the President’s refusal and reluctance till date, to visit and condole with the people of Benue over the murder of 73 persons (mostly Christians) by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Yet, the President had time to go to visit nearby Nasarawa State to commission a project, within the same period.
We can see how this myopic, biased and condescending mindset that is wrapped with religion, ethnicity, and tribalism have adversely affected us as a people, and have prevented us from moving ahead as we ought to as a nation. Where does all of this leave us? Until we realize that we need more godliness than religion; more work and less hope; more action and less words; and more patriotism than nepotism, we would continue to remain and retrogress as a supposed ‘developing’ and ‘third-world’ nation regardless of our enormous human and natural resourcefulness. But like we have always advised, let everyone tidy up his or her corner first and demand fervently that our political leaders tidy their areas of governance. Our nation is degenerating at a fast pace and we need to save it now. We as a people must positively change our attitude towards our dear country!
Zik Gbemre, JP.