At no other time than now has Nigeria been in dire need of responsible, responsive, robust and dynamic leadership able to steer the ship away from the depths of destruction the present leaders have plunged this nation into.
What does Nigeria need now at a time like this? We need an untainted, courageous, tested, incorruptible democrat. A man whose integrity has never been doubted and a leader with a burning passion for the people, in effect, a man who puts the people first.
If we must take a look back in history, our greatest leaders in Africa, weren’t bent and spent old men and women whose best days were over and done with.
We had young, vibrant men bursting with ideas and driven by strong ideologies. From Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to Nnamdi Azikiwe, Saudana of Sokoto, Tafawa Balewa, Anthony Enahoro, Kwame Nkruma, Leopold Seghor, Patrice Lumumba, Sekou Toure, etc, those who fought for Africa’s independence from our colonial masters, weren’t men who had aggrandized themselves with the people’s wealth, they weren’t uneducated clowns of shady and questionable character, they were all young men who craved a better Africa and because of their deep passion for liberation, most African countries got their freedom from imperialist bondage.
Then, came the crop of revolutionaries such as Muammar Gaddafi, Thomas Sankara, Tunde Idiagbon and others; young men who were burning with zeal to fully liberate the minds of their people and install economic independence as well as national pride…all geared towards a greater, unified Africa. In their own ways, though their ideals were cut shut, they left indelible marks on the sands of time and even more the knowledge that it can be done. Africans can self govern, Africans countries can effectively manage their economy and create wealth.
Nigeria of today, is still brimming with men driven by ideology, leaders with a blend of character of both the nationalists who fought for independence and the revolutionaries who strived for nationhood backed a total control, installation of national economic power and safety from foreign inference in the interest of their people, at this critical time in our nationhood.
One of such men is Engr. Seyi Makinde, the executive governor of Oyo State. I have worked closely with Governor Makinde in different capacities and I have had time to not only understudy him but affirm his capabilities. I can attest to his character, his sense of purpose, his desire to serve, to lead, his respect for the rule of law and democratic principles, his unquenching zeal for development and progress and above all, his respect for human life, welfare of the people, their well-being and overall security.
Notably, Makinde has shown visionary leadership all through his time in government house.
When he came into office in May 2019, Makinde had a long list of promises for his people. Remarkably, he told them to hold him accountable to every promise.
In four short years, Makinde, who ranks in the list of one of the most hardworking governors in Nigeria, had delivered every promise on his list.
Oyo had never witnessed such rapid development as it did within those four years, massive rehabilitation and building of roads, transformation of the state into a bubbly business hub, food security, subsidized but effective mass transportation, payment of salaries, bursaries, pensions, rural development, affordable healthcare, ease of life, an environment secured from harassment from thuggery and violence, peaceful and fair elections…and so much more. We could go on and on, the achievements of Seyi Makinde are not only chronicled on the Internet and other publications but etched the minds and heart of the people, such that getting a second term was easy flow for him and he has continued these good works like a man on a mission, a mission to live an indelible ink on the sands of time.
It was Robert. K. Greenleaf who said “Good leaders must first learn to be good servants”. His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde in his inaugural speech, declared himself a servant of the people and he has served his people, focussed on the people, improving their Commonwealth and served them radically till this day.
Famed for its emphasis on transparency and going hard on corruption, Makinde, easily Nigeria’s most performing governor, has led by example by running a translucently transparent government and demanding accountability from government officials on all levels. He is not a believer in “do as I say and not as I do”. In all his dealings Makinde firmly ensures that who cannot fit into his method, must not be on the same ship. In effect, corruption has no place in governance in Oyo State.
Makinde’s track record, commitment to reform, focus on education, and vision for economic and social development, commitment to human security, security of lives, property and environment, are reasons why many Nigerians believe the country needs people like him to run for president in 2027.
Dare Adeleke writes from Ibadan.
