In this season of presidential announcements, let me first applaud you on your courage in stepping up and subjecting yourself to public service and examination, whether you have declared to run or not. It is a monumental task to administer a nation that spans 923,769 square kilometers (356,669 square miles), with an estimated population of 211 million people, more than 500 languages, complicated different interests and difficulties, and their inherent issues.
This is not a profession for the faint of heart or cynics;
it is for believers in pragmatic hope, brave patriots, imaginative voices,
deliberate nation builders, open-minded bridge builders, peacemakers,
exposed, experienced, and educated individuals who love their country. To be
clear, it comes within the four of your constitutional rights to vote and be
voted for in any election in Nigeria.
Since 1914 when the name “Nigeria” came into corporate
existence, there have been 24 men who have either been forced or forced
themselves on Nigeria – from Sir Lord Frederick Lugard (1 Jan. 1914 – 8 Aug.
1919); Sir Hugh Charles Clifford (8 Aug 1919 – 13 Nov 1925); Sir Graeme Thomas
(13 Nov 1925 – 17 Jan 1913); Sir Donald Charles Cameron (17 Jan 1931 – 1 Nov
1935); Sir Benard Henry Bourdillon (1 Nov 1935 – 1943); Arthur Frederick
Richards (1943 – 5 Feb 1948); Sir John Macpherson (1 Oct 1954 – 15 Jun 1955);
Sir James Wilson Robertson (15 June 1955 – 16 Nov 1960); Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa
Balewa (1 Oct 1960 – 15 Jan 1966); Chief Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe (1 Oct 1963 –
16 Jan 1966); Maj. Gen. Aguiyi-Ironsi (16 Jan 1966 – 29 July 1966); Gen. Yakubu
Gown (1 Aug 1966 – 29 July 1975); Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammed (July 1975 – Feb
1976); Gen. Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo (14 Feb 1976 – 1 Oct
1979); Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (1 Oct 1979 – 31 Dec 1983); Maj. Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari (31 Dec 1983 – 27 Aug 1985); Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida
(27 Aug 1985 – 26 Aug 1993); Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan (29 Aug
1993 – 17 Nov 1993); Gen. Sani Abacha (17 Nov 1993 – 8 Jun 1998); Gen.
Abdulsalam Abubakar (9 Jun 1998 – 29 May 1998); Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (29 May
1999 – 29 May 2007); Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (29 May 2007 – 5 May 2010); Dr.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (6 May 2010 – 29 May 2015); and currently President
Muhammadu Buhari.
By the time you assume office in 2023, you will meet a
Nigeria that is more divided than we were in 1966, economically at a fix with a
1.5% economic growth, 143% corruption global perception, and all low with
security than we were at post civil war. I do not intend to discuss campaign
strategies with you, I should be wise enough to know that you already have
overflow of outlets for campaign related strategies. I rather we focus on what
we must do in laying the foundation of our country’s strategic development
through the institution of the Presidency.
Our nation is in serious search of a “perfect” President.
And even though Jonathan Alter’s position that “all Presidents are blind dates”
may be politically logical, you must understand that you have every potential
to propel Nigeria to the envisioned trajectory of shared prosperity. The
possibilities of building a productive, functional, efficient, and safe Nigeria
start from your optimistic dispositions to possibilities, openness to new
ideas, and continuous commitment to working for the overall interest of our
nation. Being a “perfect” president means having and Practising certain
personal and political skills that endear you to good governance, sustainable
development results, and impact. For a start, you will need personal attributes
of authenticity, character, courage, ambition, and drive, optimism, strength, and
toughness, be a learner as well as a listener, people’s skills, and self-confidence; while you need such political skills as coalition building,
executive competence, strategic thinking, capacity to inspire the nation,
persuasive communication, and stagecraft performance skills.
Once you are sworn-in as the Commander-in-Chief to uphold
and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you become
bound to exercise the nearly omnipresent powers of the President in helping to
set the national agenda through the core cardinal responsibilities of a
country’s president, to wit: ensuring national security, galvanizing our
diverse peculiarities for nation-building, building a productive economy, and
going for a foreign policy that advances our national interest.
First and perhaps most important, no country no matter
how big or small can grow or succeed without security. It may interest you to
know that insecurity has become a huge business in Nigeria today. The 35,000
Nigerians in the Northeast that UNDP reported having been killed up till 2021
are victims of some people’s gain and primitive self-enrichment.
Allow section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution to assist
you in making the security and wellbeing of the people the primary goal of your
administration. In the absence of social security, productivity, justice, and
equal opportunity for all men to strive and prosper, insecurity is unavoidable.
As a result, you bear an unavoidable obligation to foster an environment
favorable to the growth of creative firms. You must consider the unique
characteristics of each state and collaborate with governors to ensure that the
government establishes clusters of enterprise and SME hubs to assist in
identifying, training, incubating, mentoring, supporting, and monitoring the
business growth of our emerging young entrepreneurs in all sectors, including
tech startups. Whereas a thriving and healthy economy may not cure corruption,
it will reduce the high level of crimes and insecurity, as the youth will be
productively engaged.
If you are not sure of how to secure Nigeria, you should
first read the 2014 National Conference Report. There is nothing exceptionally
new your Campaign manifesto should speak to if not on how to restructure
Nigeria for every unit and substructure to productively govern its
jurisdiction. Implementing the Report will require constant constitutional
amendments. Not so many political entrepreneurs would accept such structural
and systematic changes, but if you sincerely see the entire parts of Nigeria as
your immediate constituency and honestly ensure inclusiveness in your
governance, chances are that the Nigerian people will stand solidly behind you.
Ensure that the rule of law and practice of social justice applies to every
Nigerian, irrespective of their region, religion, and class. If you elevate
meritocracy as the cardinal core of your galvanizing Nigerians, chances are
high that you will lay a solid foundation for a coherent future for our sick
country.
If you consolidate on credible programs from the previous administration, complete credible projects from the previous administration, and conceptualize broad-based visions for our country's shared economic prosperity, our development landscape will respond to your creative commitment to the core Cs in Presidential leadership. Competence, character, and courage are essential for the three core Cs to function. Above important, aim to implement at least 80% of your yearly appropriation Acts and campaign platform. We will be with you every step of the way during your constitutionally guaranteed tenure to hold you accountable and ensure you do the right thing.
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