LEADERS AND DISSENTERS.
Sadly, for quite a long time, our leaders have enjoyed being served full
course meals, in the 'acts of ruling' over a largely subservient,
docile, and perhaps gullible populace. And interestingly, it happens that this
act of governance, extends over even the knowledgeable and well exposed people
who perhaps, just prefer not to query the status quo for inexplicable reason,
that is gradually creeping deeply into our national psyche, part of that
peculiar challenge generally referred to as the 'Nigerian factor'.
Now, our leaders with an over-bloated ego understandably, still relishing the
good times of the past, would never wish it away!
This sad reality of our times, plays itself
repeatedly daily, in our leaders' dealing with the populace, and particularly
in the unfortunate encounter of January 14th, 2017 between Governor
Isiak Ajimobi of Oyo State and the Students of Ladoke Akintola University of
Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, who perhaps had been tired out with boredom and
more, consequent upon an over-stretched holiday of 8-months school's-closure
prompting, their demand rightly for the reopening of their school. The uneasy
interview, alleged to have been grudgingly granted by our revered Governor,
after several efforts, was regrettably well laced with traces of
high-handedness, over-dramatisation and traits of a power-drunk, very much
reflecting a leader still re-living our ignominious and 'gullible past'.
Without a doubt, the country’s long sojourn with the
military rule has been fingered to be responsible to have affected us in what
can be termed to be our leaders "militocracy" psyche (coinage
for mixed philosophy between military and democracy) in our fledgling
democracy, when they bark out orders with military fiat using slogan as 'with
immediate effect' even in their civilian garbs. But the barking out of order
and instructions to a people who are conscious of their rights and privileges,
will only breed more resentment and show to the public, such leader's
gross incompetence and lack of capacity to deal with situations. Sadly this is
what played out in the unfortunate encounter of Governor Ajimobi and LAUTECH
Students. It is gladdening that an apology was rendered by the Governor on the
sad incident.
Times have changed, and our leaders do not yet
know. Presently, and for the leader that care to know, there has now been an
unprecedented awareness and awakening of the consciousness of Nigerians through
the country's educational revolution of newly emergent Private Universities and
other institutions of higher learning added to the existing Public and Private
institutions, that all churn out innumerable graduates now, into the system,
and if assumedly at least, increased education should necessarily leads to
increased consciousness. It follows that there has now been, a sharp
decrease in what can be termed the 'per capita gullibility' of our
nation. Alas, a bold sign is now being, brandished, as a warning sign hanging
out for our leaders to note, that: 'leaders emptor'! (Leaders' beware
notice).
Frankly speaking, It is also most important that
our leaders come to term with the realisation of the fact that, to whom much is
given, much would be expected. While our leaders tend to savour and enjoy the
honour, respect and perks of their offices, they however, don't want to bother
themselves with the intricate demands of their office. Times have changed. And
leaders need to realise so now. Otherwise, such regrettable confrontations will
only irrepressibly rear it ugly head from time to time.
Again as recalled, the catchphrase now made
popular from the said unfortunate interview of Governor Ajimobi, records His
Excellency, referring to himself as the 'Constituted Authority'. Blimey!
For the reasons of democratic education and re orientation, it is essential to
recapitulate it for all and sundry, including our leaders that ; the mandate,
authority, and power which our leaders flaunt everywhere erroneously as if it
is their personal possession and property, primarily emanate and is derived
from the people. Part of the core reason, why the pronoun "We"
not "I" is very prominent in the preamble of the United
States constitution, a democracy to which our country's, is fashioned
after.
Again, It is most pertinent for our leaders to learn
to accommodate dissenting voices, as democracy itself thrives on divergent
opinions and views. At least after our nineteen (19) undisrupted years in
democratic experience, it is not out of place for us, to begin to show signs
that we have learnt from our past mistakes and to give concrete evidences of
our making meaningful progress. Instances as above show that we still have a
long way to go.
Additionally, our leaders should also be more
civil in relating with the populace. The use of maximum force to deal with
dissenters, protesters, civil rights activists, and every person(s) that
queries the status quo is no longer fashionable and should be discouraged
amongst our leaders.
Still, some leaders in spite of their hitherto
exposures, academics achievements, and discipline/calling etc, it is perhaps as
if there is spiritually more to leadership in this part of the world, for as
soon as they get into the position of leadership despite their education, but
now because of their new experiences of comfort, power, authority, money etc
they tend to now exhibit strange attitudes, ignorance, impatience etc as soon
as they step into office. Basically, it is the misuse of power money, authority
etc especially in the full glare of the public, who do not have, that grow the
roots for dissenters. Leader should learn moderation in all they do.
Leaders must also value the twin-concepts of 'Authority'
and 'Responsibility' that work inseparably. It must be noted, by our
leaders that the grand and esteemed position of an 'Authority' begets
perhaps its concise scope of 'Responsibility' always.
However on the other hand, it is necessary that
we sound a note of warning too, for dissenters. Generally speaking it has been
observed that, the moral decadence prevailing in our society is alarming. This
also caught the attention of the south western Governor’s forum in their baby
project marked to develop the region tagged Development Agenda for Western
Nigeria (DAWN). In their recent Ekiti State meeting held 15th
February, 2017, this formed part of their discuss, to “address the declining
moral standard and to put in place structures to manage the loss of values and virtues
in the society saying that the first step is quality assurance and morality
framework as a critical part of the region education”. Time has come for
leadership and even our dissenting approaches to be putting the right
perspective. While it is not a bad idea to beg to be different, it absolute
important for the dissention to be done within the confines of the law. All
unlawful dissention are condemnable.
It should be made amply clear, that no leader is
crowned without its divine endorsement. Hence, this signals us, beyond mere
dissenting, to apply caution always. Far from just being spiritual, most
religious institutions and organisations also admonish all to respect and obey
our leaders, as leadership is a concept of fate, which can get entrusted unto
any one, unexpectedly.
Again, we need to caution dissenters against improper
presentation of their position via disrespectful approach. Our leaders are the
symbol of our sovereignty and as such they deserve our full and untainted
respect. This goes for some unruly students who are yet to begin to climb
life's ladder but perhaps with a degree in-view believe that they have seen it
all. It is time for us to start making meaning of the concept of respect for
our elders, our customs and for other symbols of authority. Our leaders and
dissenters are enjoined to act from the position of deep feelings and mutual
respect for others, as leadership and even dissention are both transient.
TIMI AWOYEMI
