In 1979, the election was between Awolowo and Shagari – Nigerians voted Shagari (an unknown grade 2 teacher hyped by the cabals of the day). 22years later, the same Nigerians learnt nothing from history – I would have been expecting people who have been voting recently since 1999 (after years of military rule) to be more “open and fair” when choosing their leader but I guess my views are insane and unpopular as I watched with tears people jubilating and popping champagne over the win of GEJ.
As a good loser, I congratulated my opponents and sucked it in – the win was just too awesome as the numbers were clear whom Nigerians wanted. 7 months later, I am surprised at peoples’ complains – “Boko Haram Bombings, Fuel Subsidy Removal, ASUU strike, Incessant Power Supply, etc”. How can one make a choice and be complaining about it? The choice in itself was beyond comprehension – imagine you own a company and you wanted to select a General Manager between two candidates.
Candidate A Profile
I am a Christian from the South of the country like you and I believe in God’s favor over my life. I have been acting in the capacity of the General Manager for 1 year now though I was the Deputy General Manager for two years. Before the getting to the position of Deputy, I was the Manager of the Sales Department; I became the Manager because the other Manager was accused of fraud. During all my appointments, which came through Luck, I have achieved nothing in fact; sales dropped drastically when I was managing the Sales Department. However, I am a likeable person and no body in my region has ever been the General Manager. Your company will be better if I am giving the chance to serve as your GM.
Candidate B Profile
Unlike you, I am a Muslim from the North. I have been in the position of a General Manager 17yrs earlier. As the General Manager, I implemented quality processes which where pivotal to company’s bottom line and employee motivation. I protected the company’s brand and improved it amongst all stakeholders like suppliers and customers. Please, check company records for references. Though the General Manager’s position was taking from me, I humbly took the position of the Project Manager for Diesel Supply some years later, where I not only saved the company millions of Naira, I initiated and implemented an Education Trust Fund for the wards of the employees. I know that I am strict which is not a likeable characteristics but I believe more in company progress than human sentiments.
If you truly own this company and you want to leave a legacy for your children’s children to the 10th generation, would you have chosen candidate A? If you are privy to a Pilot’s record which shows abysmal and reckless handling of his simulation testing and he wants to fly for the first time and you are to be the passenger; would you agree even if he is a likeable person from your tribe and religion? If in our everyday decision, we demand excellence amidst sentiments, why do we trivialize the most important job vacancy – leadership – since everything rises and falls with it?
It is important to note that I am not anti-GEJ or blaming him for anything; the truth is that I actually like him. However, he cannot do beyond what he is equipped to do; please, cross-reference the parable of the talent in the bible. All responsibility goes to the citizens that complain especially the ones that voted him in – why blame another for what you caused? No matter the debate, forum discussions, arguments, tantrums, etc, the way forward is that we work with him as the President…
