Since her independence in 1960, Nigeria has
encountered various forms of government with their unique leadership. Nigeria,
africa’s most populous state has gone through a lot in the past 58 years
ranging from military regimes to democratic leadership. On October 1963,
Nigeria became a republic. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was Nigeria's first premier
while Nnamdi Azikiwe was Nigeria’s first president. In this era, the regional
structures flourished, bringing out workable policy goals and effective
competition among regions. The Northern region, the West and Eastern region
were led by Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe respectively.
However, fierce competition among regions
inflamed the strong desire for power grab at the central government.
Additionally, intra-party wrangling in the Western region turned out to be
calamitous between Samuel Akintola and Obafemi Awolowo. Nigeria had inherited a
weak socio-political structure and intensified ethnic consciousness and
rivalries, as well as inexperienced leadership. Infighting in the Action group
party of the west known as Action Group crisis of 1962/1963, western region
election crisis of 1965, population census crisis, Tiv riots and a string of
other problems paved way for military intervention on January 15th,
1966. A counter coup ensued on 29th July,1966 which precipitated in ethnic
massacres of easterners and civil war. Yakubu Gowon assumed leadership under
military rule in 1966. Since then, Nigeria witnessed series of coups and
overthrow of democratic regime from 1975-79 under Murtala Mohammed/Olusegun
Obasanjo, 1983-85 under General Muhammadu Buhari, 1985-93 under General Ibrahim
Babangida, 1993-98 under General Sani Abacha as well as 1999 under General
Abdulsalami Abubakar. Over these past decades, changes occurred in leadership
through forceful takeover of power by military juntas. The democratic
government that came to be in 1979 under Shehu Shagari era was toppled by
military in 1983. A last ditch effort to return to democracy was bungled up
when General Babangida annulled the general elections that held on 12th June,
1993 that was widely seen as a free and fair election and won by M.K.O.Abiola.
These sudden changes of leadership led to ups
and down in the stability of our political structure. However, Nigeria was able
to turn a new leaf once again when General Abdulsalami begun a transition
process towards returning Nigeria to a democratic path in 1999. Democracy was
restored and Nigeria was able to hold free and fair elections once again.
Olusegun Obasanjo became President following the outcome of the general
elections in 1999. Thereafter, he was succeeded by President Umaru Yar’adua.
Following his untimely demise, Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President under late
Yar’adua era assumed interim president by Doctrine of Necessity. He went on and
proceeded to victory following the 2011 general elections. However, he was
succeeded by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Having gone through all these sequence of
leadership, Nigerians have grown more deserving for good governance and
effective administration. The clamor for reforms, good leadership and
socio-economic development has been limitless and can be heard across nooks and
crannies of the country. In all these previous eras, Nigeria has observed the
good, the bad and ugly. Past regimes have been festered by corruption,
maladministration, inept leadership, misrule, arbitrary policies, subjugation
of democratic institutions, highhandedness, gross abuse of power, cronyism and
sundry. Indeed, it is no wonder that the late Noble laureate Chinua Achebe, in
his book “The Trouble with Nigeria,” attributed to poor leadership as Nigeria’s
core problem.
On the bright side, Nigeria can turn a new leaf
by making positive and effective turnaround in leadership. Having a good leader
that ushers reform in all sectors of the country is the greatest desire of all
citizens alike. We must not leave the populace broken or in a state of despair.
In order to rid the country of corruption, injustices, communal clashes,
political upheaval, self-aggrandizement, moral decay, economic hardship, and
social decadence, a strong, capable and committed leader must confront these
challenges and usher in a new era of prosperity and change.
Obinna Chukwuemeka .P. Can be reached
at ocpaschal@gmail.com
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