2023: Don’t vote parochial, provincial leader,Tambuwal warns Nigerians

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

To avoid administrative lapses and the many wrongs perpetrated by the President Muhammadu Buhari -led administration, Nigerians have been admonished not to vote parochial and sectional leader come 2023.

Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Governors Forum, (PDP-GF) and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who said this Monday at the Richard Akinnola’s birthday lecture in Lagos declared that Nigeria needs a leader with a broad world view and not a provincial politician.

For the nation to regain its fading glory, he said the nation needs an incorruptible leader who understands that the best way to fight corruption is by personal examples and also by the building of strong institutions that can withstand shocks and manipulations.

Speaking on the topic, “Security Challenges in Nigeria and Its Implication for Sustainable Development”, the Sokoto State governor maintained that to overcome insecurity, there is the need for intelligence gathering and surveillance so that law enforcement agents could be proactive and reasonably predict potential crime with near perfect accuracy rather than being reactive.

The menace of insecurity, he stated, no doubt, calls for a new approach that will be founded on credible intelligence gathering.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said, “Nigeria needs a leader that is versatile. One that has friends and associates across the length and breadth of this country. A leader with a broad world view and not a parochial and provincial politician.

“We need an incorruptible leader who understands that the best way to fight corruption is by personal examples and also by the building of strong institutions that can withstand shocks and manipulations.

“Nigeria needs a leader in tune with the times. Who is reasonably aware of the modern demands of technology in solving societal problems.

“Yes, Nigeria needs a bridge builder. A compassionate leader, sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the poor and needy. A leader whose words count and can be counted on. Indeed, a leader with courage”.

The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum added that the country needs, “an accountable leader who can be trusted to face the challenges of nationhood squarely without sentiments or pandering to interests that are inconsistent with national goals.

Speaking further, Tambuwal maintained that Nigeria needs a visionary leadership imbued with a sense of patriotism, which will go a long way in changing the narrative of insecurity in Nigeria.
The nation, he stressed further, requires a leadership that is nationalistic and not tribalistic, a leadership that promotes national unity not disunity.

He said “a leader required by Nigeria is one that will regard Nigeria as his constituency, not his state, tribe, religion or region. A leadership that inspires the nation to achieve greatness.

“A leadership that galvanizes, mobilizes and directs Nigerians on the path to sustainable peace, progress and development”, he said.

Such a leader, Tambuwal reasoned, will not regard any part of the country as conquered people.

According to him, “A leader with these qualities will reach out to all and sundry and ensure that insecurity ravaging the country is put to flight.

“There is no short cut or magic wand to curtail insecurity other than the deployment of relevant tools of good governance, proper technology, necessary military and police equipment, a well trained and properly remunerated manpower, and lowering of tensions in the country through enthronement of a government that serves all and not a section and group.

“A leader smart enough to realize the imperatives of restructuring our security and governance structure.

“Finding such a leader is a task for all and I challenge you all today to find and support such a leader in 2023 so that Nigeria can begin the long walk back to peace, security and prosperity for all her citizens”, he said.

The Sokoto State Governor added that good governance is yet another major panacea for curbing insecurity in Nigeria.

“This requires that government at all levels must take deliberate steps to ensure good and accountable governance that focuses on the needs of the people”, he said.

Stating that socio-economic development factor is also key to peace and security, Tambuwal said, “examples and researches have shown that with good governance and strong institutions, most people are less likely to become enemies of the state,or embrace,crime when they can see development and opportunities”

Elimination of corruption and entrenchment of social and economic justice, he contended, is also key, adding, “Corruption gives rise to both social and economic problems. It is one of the major causes of inequality and inequitable distribution of wealth among the people.