By: Okoi Obono-Obla Some Nigerian politicians are damned negative, analogue, and completely bereft of leadership skills, dialog...
By: Okoi Obono-Obla
Some Nigerian politicians are damned negative, analogue, and completely bereft of leadership skills, dialogue, consensus building, and engagement with the critical segment of the people they represent. They always put their foot wrong, act presumptively, and take the people for granted. Contemptuously, they think that the people are poverty-stricken, and when they choose to engage, it is only to find opportunities to fleece them or extract money.
They refuse to pick up phone calls. They refuse to read messages. They refuse to hold town hall meetings—especially those representing us in the legislatures at both the national and state levels. Suddenly, they develop airs, becoming supercilious, haughty, and arrogant. Some of them, since their inauguration three years ago, have never held a single town hall to interface and interact with their constituents, to gather feedback that would help them become better representatives.
They believe leadership is about paternalism and tokenism. During festive periods, they appear only to distribute rice and some cash to the very people they hold in contempt and disdain, refusing genuine engagement. They think some of us will subscribe to their herd mentality, their “follow-follow” approach, and applaud them blindly.
Then, when a naturally born leader emerges—a new kid on the block who steps forward to empathize and interface with the people, who understands their fears, expectations, and challenges—they become furious. They unleash social media goons to smear, spread calumny, and discredit this fresh voice of hope. But we are tired of their hackneyed approach. The sooner they realize their game is up, the better.
In 2027, we need more of these new kids on the block to shake off the lethargic leadership that has burdened us for the past two decades. We need fresh perspectives, fresh personalities, and genuine leadership to enliven a political space that has become stale, suffocating, sullen, and disinterested.
Conclusion: The time has come to reject tokenism and arrogance in leadership. Nigeria deserves leaders who listen, engage, and inspire—not those who patronize and exploit. The future belongs to fresh voices who will restore dignity, dialogue, and hope to governance.
@ Okoi Obono-Obla
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