All over the World, there are different and legitimate levels of leadership that govern the entire layers of society.
Whether at the Federal, State, Local Government or even family lines, there are those who have been saddled with the responsibility of providing leadership since these layers cannot operate in a vacuum.
Aspects of leadership, therefore, range from political, religious, and traditional to the socio-economic dimensions that are also very important to the existence of a society.
While some Countries around the World practice democratic leadership, others have gone the way of monarchy, where in most cases, family lineage provides leadership using the kingship or queenship style.
Some classical cases where monarchy for example still reigns supreme and is highly recognized include the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and parts of the Arab World including Morocco in Africa. In these climes, monarchs are highly revered, as they provide direction in all ways possible.
Before now, Nigeria derived her leadership structure from the United Kingdom, where the Queen of England had the overriding powers to determine who direct affairs at different levels in the Country.
Currently, Nigeria is practicing a democratic system of government modeled after that of the United States of America where the leadership is made up of the President, Governors, and Chairmen who direct affairs at the Federal, State, and Local Government levels respectively.
It is instructive to note that between Nineteen Ninety Nine to date, Nigeria has seen a seamless transition from one leadership to the next with the Nation witnessing all manner of political dynamics, the noticeable being the win-at-all-cost mentality of some overzealous leaders.
No doubt, the pathway to leadership in Nigeria is through elections as the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has provided the platform upon which leaders are elected into political offices.
By the arrangement, so many individuals have found themselves in positions of authority with some creating a huge impact on the socio-economic and political development of their communities and by extension the Country.
For many others, it is an opportunity to enrich themselves with public funds or carry on as if they are larger than life; a reason why concerned citizens are demanding an overhaul of Nigeria’s political party system so that citizens can choose the leadership that will bring to the table purposeful governance.
At the moment, Nigeria’s landscape has been charged as all the existing political parties have fielded candidates for various leadership positions in the twenty twenty-three general elections, starting from the State Houses of Assembly to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It is therefore imperative to note that the electoral process must be credible and transparent so that the right leaders will emerge, with the electorates judging aspirants based on competence, integrity, and the ability to deliver on promises.
Aspiring leaders must know that they will come under heavy public scrutiny for so many obvious reasons; therefore, they should be ready to face the citizens in order to highlight their leadership skills in tackling pressing security and other issues bedeviling the Country.
By all means, the twenty-twenty-three general elections present a unique decision-making opportunity for the electorates to get it right as far as leadership is concerned, and based on this, they have a date with their polling booths using the permanent voter cards to enthrone the right leadership.
This way, Nigeria will move from the present condition of despair to a well-governed nation where citizens will be carried along in progress and unity.
WRITE UP/AWUHE TERFA