The 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25 while the governorship and state assembly polls are slated for March 11 according to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable.
These elective and strategic offices are meant for people who can solve identified socio-economic problems in Nigeria. Nigeria is believed to have been blessed by God graciously with abundant human, mineral and natural resources in all the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, that if prudently managed with result-oriented war against corruption and indiscipline can place the country among the top five richest nations of the world
A visionary leader in my own definition is someone who identifies the socio-economic problems in a given society and proffers strategic solutions to them within a reasonable time for present and future generations. This means he or she does not explain or describe problems nor rub the identified problems with petroleum jelly or paint them with different primary or secondary colours for the citizens to feel the pain more. Rather, he uses his resourcefulness, creativity, hard work, diligence and available resources which are men, materials and money to solve the problems.
Performance on current assignment: This is applicable to current political office holders at local, state and federal levels who have not indicated interest in higher political offices. We must allow the common man to carry out simple performance auditing exercises on the administration and activities of such a political office holder considering the identified socio-economic problems in their jurisdiction.
The media (print and electronic) should invite such political office holders to tell the public their achievements while in office. They should verify such claims to ensure their authenticity or otherwise.
Performance on past assignments: This is applicable to those who have ruled this state before 2019 as well as those who are not currently holding any political office. But had at one time or the other participated directly or indirectly in the affairs of government at decision making level; local, state or federal. It is also applicable to those who have held strategic leadership positions in government parastatals, organisations, institutions, professional and religious affiliated associations etc. We must look at the performances in different assignments of such a political office aspirant considering some of the identified major problems applicable to their jurisdiction.
Proper analysis of party/individual manifesto: Analysing them to see whether it is aimed at addressing the identified socio-economic problems; the time frame to solve them and the methodologies to be adopted to execute such programmes.
Another vital point is the prudent comparison of the past activities of such a person with the stated manifesto and policies. If the previous activities either in his personal, business, appointments etc, contradicts what he or she claims, such a person is not a visionary leader. This is because one cannot wake up overnight and lay claim to a vision for the country, state or local government.
Attestation, recognition and acceptance: You cannot hide in the midst of analytical people if you are actually a visionary leader. Society tends to contact people of visionary leadership qualities when they are in a cross-road and do not know what to do.
Benefits of visionary leadership: First, there will be uninterrupted power supply throughout the country which is the key to solving other socio-economic problems. Even in the Bible, the first thing God created was light.
Second, the citizens of the country who might have left relocated to other countries for safety or any other economic reasons might return home. If those in the Diaspora are not returning home, instead, the remaining ones constantly visit embassies to obtain visas and travel out, it means visionary leadership has not emerged over the years.
Third, talented and resourceful persons in the country will be recognised, empowered and utilised for profitable nation building activities.
Fourth, talented and resourceful citizens of the country being used by foreigners in developing their countries will return home to assist in nation building and development activities.
Fifth, lip service to the nation’s educational sector which is another vital key to sustainable and improved development of a country will be replaced with sincere and goal oriented investment.
Sixth, there will be a high level of technological growth that will lead to decrease in import and increase exports, manufacturing of goods and services for local and international use.
Seventh, there will be strict or uncompromising enforcement of laws and policies on all citizens (complete practice of rule of law) and compliance to set down rules and procedures at all levels of governance.
Eight, there will be practice of true or fiscal federalism where the federating units (states) are statutorily empowered to control their resources (all types of resources) for competitive development and payment of tax to the Federal Government.
Lastly, indiscipline and corruption in practice and principle will be wiped out in the country while the poverty level of the citizens will be reduced to zero percent. When visionary leadership emerges, socio-economic problems will end naturally.
