By Comrade Ogbu A. Ameh
The maxim that says “There is no Vacuum in Leadership” underscores the essence of continuity in society, social institutions and the human elements that make up such. As much as leadership is a requisite in the continuity of societal existence, so are numerous positions of leadership for tasks. Hence, politics becomes a given in the social roles of leaders in society.
The super structure of every society is underpinned by it predominant culture, economic social relations and external variables. However, the overwhelming social altitude, moral and ethical conduct rear its head in the people’s orientation. This is where the point of departure manifests between different human societies and it leadership.
In our country Nigeria, leadership over the years since independence has evolved towards a very negative trend of degeneracy. People who find themselves in positions of leadership at the traditional, religious and political institutions are often found wanting.
This indictment is proportionally high at the political institution due to the state power control at its disposal. The impunity and arrant rascality of people who occupy positions here influences the other two institutions negatively. Checks and balance that ought to be the crucible of democratic tenets, is manipulated and trampled upon without regards for principle. This negative influence permeates the entire realms of society to undermine democracy and all the social institutions therein. Many who are elected, appointed or inherited positions of leadership often forget that they are much more to the position, and that is the call to work for the people of their society. They are tied to the position and its prestige, then forgot to work for the people.
They go a little bit further in their expectations that the people should worship or celebrate them as heroes or demi-gods. As they turn logic on its head, they forgot that leadership is not a call to position, but a call to work. Now, we are living witness to a paradigm shift by the APC government. Through its social attitudinal change campaign of “Change Begins with Me”, irrespective of one’s position, we shall begin to have good leadership.
Its message is clear and pertinent to the bane of leadership in Nigeria. If you cannot submit to leadership, you cannot be a good leader. Hence, all those who occupy position of leadership at any of the social institutions must learn to submit to the wave of change blowing from the centre towards the periphery to usher in a better, stronger and vibrant whole system.
People who are used to prolonged years of military rule and many years of negative deviance of democracy may find the change strange. This is so and ensconced with skepticism as crumbs from the masters table are no longer falling. In the days of profligacy, the people were seduced with the largess falling from the pockets of treasury looters as they celebrate them with ethnic and religious colorations.
Today the table is dry and the crumbs have ceased to fall, the people are caught between hard choices to make. Either they stick to the angel they do not know, or bring back the devil they know.
Comrade Ogbu A. Ameh writes from Abuja via onwaters2011@gmail.com
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