Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a former Director of Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General John Enenche’ (retd), has tasked Nigerians on the need to elect the right leaders in the presidential, and other elections, saying new perspectives must be considered in the choice of electing new set of leaders.
Specifically, the former Director of Defence Information (DDI) argued that Nigerians had depended so much on political parties for the choice of presidential candidates over the years, with very little progress made as a result.
He called on Nigerians to consider a presidential candidate with integrity, competence, sound national economic knowledge, local and international goodwill, zero corruption/criminal records among other values, in making their choice next year.
Consequently, the retired senior officer has pleaded with Nigerians to look beyond traditional party affiliation, by adopting a new model of voting for a presidential candidate, which aligns with the mood of the moment.
In his intervention, which was conveyed in a document entitled, Pen Advisory To Nigerians, the retired two-star General maintained that, once the right leaders were voted in, there will be the right followership in place.
He said once the right leadership and followership are in place, Nigeria will regain her lost glory, potentials and greatness.
This is coming on the heels of consistent clamour by highly-placed individuals, socio-cultural groups, and millions of other Nigerians, including the youth, for the emergence of former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, as next president.
“It was observed that we have depended so much on political parties for the choice of presidential
candidates over the years.
“Finding; for about 2 decades it has not produced the expected result. It is
therefore expedient to try another model that is purely Nigerian in line with the current mood of the
country.
“This would not be the traditional political party approach but a modified method customized
to bail the country out of the present predicament. Implementation; this should be in form of mass
concurrence on the choice of the kind of President Nigerians need.
“In this regard, factors to consider should be integrity, competence, sound national economic knowledge, local and international goodwill, zero corruption/criminal records (convicted or not), and good health to withstand the demands of the office of the President.
“Therefore, all are implored to shelve all divisive tendencies in order to bail the country out of the protracted economic stagnation, insecurity, and developmental retrogression. Make the right choices for the future of our great country”, Enenche’ admonished.
Apart from the presidential election, Nigerians are advised to adopt the the same paradigm shift in ushering in other set of leaders.
Hear him: “The conditions for the office of the President should equally apply to other elective positions at national and state levels. This comes by way of a Specified Campaign cutting across ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds which is the Strategic Best Practice for the present
situation of Nigeria and should therefore be adopted. Thereafter, it would be reviewed and strengthened
for sustainability.
“Furthermore, it is worthy of note that Followership is a Function of Leadership. The follower is controlled by his or her inner conviction based on what they deduce from what they see, hear and
feel. Nigerians have seen, heard and felt so much negativity in the last 20 years about their leaders.
“Hence, the difficulty in getting the right followership to tackle the myriad of economic and security challenges in Nigeria. The accusation has been on bad leadership which should give way to the growth of a new Nigeria.
“This is what will win the hearts and minds of the suffering majority of
Nigerians to support leaders that will emerge from the 2023 elections and beyond. Practically,
leadership is by example.
“This will usher in; good leadership good followership in Nigeria from 2023.
“For instance, if a leader does not steal directly or indirectly from government
coffers, followers will not steal.
“My beloved Nigerians simply put; get the right leaders, get the right followership and Nigeria will work.”
