Do Nigerians have the kind of leaders we deserve?

On 15 August 1811, Joseph de Maistre, a Diplomat, Lawyer, Writer and philosopher wrote “Toute nation a le gouvernement qu’elle merite” (Every nation gets the government it deserves, or, In a democracy people get the leaders they deserve).

This saying always comes to my mind when I compare our leaders with the citizens of Nigeria. We know that leaders do not fall from the moon; they are a reflection of the citizens of the country. Citizens grow to become leaders. Whatever mentality the citizens have, the leaders do too.

So, looking at our character, as citizens, our behaviour, our attitude towards issues, do we have the moral justification to demand for different leaders? Who voted them into power?

Let’s start with our lawlessness. Nigerians are sooo lawless it’s unbelievable! People dispose of refuse indiscriminately, disobey traffic laws, drive in the opposite direction when the sign clearly says ‘one way traffic only’, and abuse traffic wardens who stand in the sun and rain to control the traffic. Or is it the lack of patience exhibited by the drivers daily? Without a traffic warden and traffic light, watch how the road gets blocked within minutes, as nobody will wait for the other person to pass. Yet we want an Obama as a leader? Yimu!!

Is it our religious hypocrisy? We are so concerned with keeping up appearances that we overlook the basics. Number of churches increase daily, on a street you could find five different churches, yet evil is on the increase. They loot our money, and pay tithe to the church. Pastors preach wealth, not salvation. Members of the congregation are made to contribute money which pastors use to build schools, yet they can’t afford to send their children to such schools. Our hearts are filled with hatred, wickedness and evil, yet our mouths are filled with prayers and worship. Double Yimu!!!

We really need to understand that we are the leaders, whatever we do, they do. We are lawless, they are lawless; we are dubious, they are same, etc. The majority of Nigerians you meet and interact with are after their own interest, or even look for a way to dupe you. Yet we expect our leaders to be saints? How possible is that??

Until we change our attitude, we shall keep churning out the same quality of leaders. My character will not change when I become a leader, same with yours. The touts that run after our politicians are the ones that will be our lawmakers tomorrow, both at State and Federal levels. Will you expect them to behave any differently that they've been used to? What kind of laws will they make? That’s why you hear of a proposal by a Senator to make some people “Chartered politicians” (don’t even let me get started on that idiocy, story for another day).

Before you judge the leaders, examine your own life. If we as the citizens get it right, our leaders will get it right too.

Hugs…