Why can't Nigerian Leaders focus on Issues?

By Uthman Akinbola [23/09/12]

The response of Dr Festus Adedayo, spokesperson of OYO State governor, to Senator Teslim Folarin’s criticism is too sharp and unexpected from a government that wants to lead the way for the citizens to follow.
See the response below.

I can’t exchange hot words with Folarin - Ajimobi

The Nigerian Tribune [Friday, 21 September 2012]

 OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Thursday, said he did not exchange hot words with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Senator Teslim Folarin.

A statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Dr Festus Adedayo, said from the story published by the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday, it was clear that it was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that was exchanging hot words with Senator Folarin and not the governor.

“Our attention has been drawn to a story published by the Nigerian Tribune of Thursday, September 20, 2012, entitled: Folarin, Ajimobi trade words. The story, which dwelt on an exchange of words between Senator Folarin and the ACN, Oyo State chapter’s spokesman, Dauda Kola-wole, was, however, misrepresented as an exchange of words between the governor of Oyo State, Senator Ajimobi and the former senator The headline is unwarranted.

“Governor Ajimobi can never exchange words with the person under reference, as he is too inconsequential in the scheme of things to engage his attention or for him to trade words with. The governor is too preoccupied with the task of clearing Oyo State of the rubble and dirt left over by the PDP in the state to be bothered by such a character,” the statement said.

Why is it that our leaders misfire more often than not? Why is it that they cannot stomach criticism? The President’s response after the 52nd Anniversary Lecture delivered by the former President of Ghana, John Kufour, is still fresh in our minds. Instead of President (Dr) Jonathan to address the issues raised, he decided to take a swipe at the Nigerian people. Now, this harsh and inapt response from Dr Adedayo! It is pathetic and quite unfortunate that our nation lacks the right kind of leadership. We are beset with leaders who cannot think and focus on issues, whose thoughts, responses, opinions and discourses lack robustness, vibrancy and intelligence. They hardly can inspire the young ones, and so they inadvertently stifle intellectual aspiration, growth and development in the youth. The Nigerian youth is just too unfortunate!

I listened to the September 17th interview of Senator Teslim Folarin (on Splash FM, Ibadan), which marked the beginning of this exchange of ‘hot words’. We need to be fair to Senator Folarin – even though I am never a fan of him – because the way he made the criticism of the government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi was not bad at all. Of course I do not wish for the return of the PDP government to Oyo State soon, for they have to prove to us in stronger ways than mere criticism that they mean well for the state. We were witness to their government’s direct attack on propriety and the sensibilities of the people; and the wanton destruction of lives and property during their eight years of rule (or misrule) of Oyo State.

However, Folarin’s criticism was okay, for it is the prerogative of the opposition to make such. The criticism was even guarded, considering the role he played in the ousting of his party’s government, which he admitted in the interview. I think he should be tolerated.

The best thing that should have been done by the ACN (Oyo) and the government of Ajimobi was to keep silent and take it in good faith. If however it were expedient that they respond, they should have pointed out to the people the fact that the PDP evidently lacks discipline and such a party cannot administer the state well. For how can a party watch someone who joined other elements to run his party ‘aground’, a dissident, now want to champion its cause (which is even for his self interest as affirmed by him) without first punishing him for gross indiscipline and anti-party activities.

Shame on the ACN (Oyo) and the Ajimobi government for attacking Folarin the way they did! Such a hard stance is unbecoming of a sane, democratically elected government. It simply showed that, perhaps, all our leaders, whether in the PDP, ACN or whatever, are not really intelligent. Or is it power (and/or self interest) that negatively affect their thinking?