By Hon. Barr. Joe Emenaha
Leadership is simply defined as “influence”, nothing more, nothing less. A true leader has influence over others in their decisions and actions, resulting in the followers taking action based on the input and example from the leader. There are however numerous types of leadership principles, among them are: (i) democratic (ii) Transformational (iii) malevolent dictator, (iv) benevolent dictator, etc.
The make-up, life style and experiences of a person determines the sort of leader he emerges. One’s psychological make-up, and experiences, economic status, and religious standings play significant parts in the shaping of a leader. People with proven inferiority complex at childhood usually end up being malevolent dictators as leaders. This is to make up for the perceived disadvantage, of low self esteemed in the formative years. The saying, “man know yourself” one of the wisdom nuggets for any leader who Wants to succeed. A leader should be able to sit down and consider his behavioural upbringings to enable him chart a course of action for his self-improvement as a leader. Every leader no matter the type of leadership style should know his strenghts and weaknesses.
Great leaders in history had met their Waterloo not necessary in battle fields but in their innate human weaknesses manifested in their leadership styles.
Example of malevolent dictators in history include, (i) Adolf Hitler (ii) Benito Mussuloini (iii) Napoleon Bonaparte (iv) Joseph Stalin (v) Idi Amin, etc.
On the other hand, examples of acceptable revolutionary democratic leaders are (i) Moses (ii) Ghandi (iii) Buddha (v) George Washington (vi) Abraham Lincoln (viii) Nelson Mandela, etc.
The snapshopt characteristics of malevolent dictators which the current governor of Imo State, His Excellency Rochas Anayo Okorocha fits are
as follows:
I. They are stubborn and obstinate ii. They are emotionally volatile
iii. They are lone rangers and does not believe in team work. Iv. Their decisions are emotion-driven and not research based. V. They are not emphatic with the generality of adult members of the society. Vi. They lack diplomacy vii. They speak too much in public not caring the import and implications of their speech. Viii. They are unforgiving of perceived enemies. Ix. They are not supportive of established and higher authority. x. They do not respect rule of law, procedures and protocols xi. They are prone to call their integrity to question by openly and often vainly and falsely swearing to their own hurt. Xii. They usually have poor public relationship management. Xiii. They do not see a difference between their families and the state. Xiv. They are “Mr. Know it all”, lord of the manor. Xv. Their administration have no human-face, and treat human beings as “it”. Xvi. They poorly reward followers and kitchen cabinet. Xvii. They bring followers under the toga of fear by subjugating them to secret oath-taking.
In deed, without slightest iota of doubt, His Excellency Rochas Okorocha fits squarely into the mode of a malevolent dictators stated above. They are plethora of examples to give flesh to the above stated characteristics, which space will not permit me to marshall and adumbrate in this write up.
Contrariwise, our dear President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is an epitome of a good governance democratic leader.
Characteristics of a good acceptable, transformational, revolutionary, democratic leaders are as follows:
Xvii. They are team builders xvii. They are men of conscience xvii. They treat all with equanimity and fairness xvii. They do not believe in using power for self aggrandizement or dealing with perceived enemies. Xvii. They are courageous xvii. They are men of action rather than mere words xvii. They are principled and God-driven xvii. They are replete with genuine compassion for the generality of the society xviii. They are servant-conscious driven. They do not see themselves as masters and lords of the manor. xix. Democrats are tolerant of opposing and competing views.
Mr. President is so tolerant of opposing views that he is proverbially speaking ready to allow political opponents to foist their campaign flags in front of his office and even in Aso Villa. The autocratic imprints left behind by the prominent leaders of “APC” like Buhari, Tinubu, when they were in power are glaring to all and sundry in the nation. A leopard does not change its colour.
Our dear president like Moses of old believes in team work. That Moses believed in team work is clearly illustrated in Exodus 17:8-13. Even though God was with Moses, that was not enough. Moses did not face the battle by himself alone. He had a right and left hand men with him. According to Michael Jordan “your talent may win you the game, but it takes teamwork to win the championship”.
There is no doubt the generality of Imolites will partner with the President to win the championship which is the 2015 general election.
Our dear President like Nelson Mandela is justice and fairness driven. Mandela’s commitment to justice,’ reconciliation and moral integrity is non-parrarel. Notwithstanding, he was unjustly imprisoned for 27 years, he came out and forgave all his tormentors and oppressors and never was attracted to any sense of vengeance and revenge. He like Mr. President is epitome of democratic leadership style.
His Excellency and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria like iconic presidents of America namely George Washington and Abraham Lincoln does not perceive political opponents as enemies but as competitors. This is the mark of true democrats. There is no doubt the stated qualities of Mr. President is diametrically opposed to the dictatorial traits of the current governor of Imo State, His Excellency Rochas Anayo Okorocha. He is a misfit for democratic governance. Come 2015, Imo State needs a democrat in the order and style of Mr. President to occupy Douglas House, Owerri.
Imo state needs restoration and positive change come 2015. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with its protective banner of “umbrella” would surely give protection and restore what the “All Progressive Congress” (APC) with its destructive and witchcraft emblem of “broom” has destroyed and stolen from Imo State.
