Nigeria Cannot Afford Another Leadership Gamble

Benson Ezem

As another election season approaches, Nigerians stand at a defining moment in our nation’s history. The decisions we make at the ballot box will either deepen our national challenges or set us firmly on the path of renewal and sustainable development.

For too long, public office has been viewed by some as an avenue for personal enrichment rather than an opportunity for public service.

Corrupt leadership

The insatiable appetite for wealth has become one of the greatest impediments to Nigeria’s progress. Some public officials have amassed fortunes that could sustain several generations, while millions of Nigerians struggle daily to access quality education, healthcare, electricity, good roads, and employment.

This is not merely corruption; it is the gluttony of power. The consequences are visible everywhere. Hospitals and schools lack essential equipment while our roads remain death traps. Industries struggle under poor infrastructure. Youth unemployment has reached alarming levels, while insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods.

Crime and inequality

Although criminality can never be justified, prolonged economic hardship, inequality, unemployment, and weakened institutions create conditions that criminal elements readily exploit. Banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and other forms of organised crime flourish because governance has failed to deliver opportunities.

History has repeatedly demonstrated that nations do not fail because they lack resources, but because they lack accountable leadership and strong institutions. Nigeria has earned billions from its abundant natural resources over the decades, yet much of the expected development has remained unrealised because transparency, accountability, and prudent management have too often been sacrificed for personal gain. The World Bank, Transparency International, and numerous development institutions have consistently identified corruption and weak governance as major barriers to economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable national development.

Every naira diverted from public service is a school not built, a hospital not equipped, a road not completed, or a young person denied an opportunity to succeed.

All eyes on INEC:

This reality places an enormous responsibility on every Nigerian voter, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). As campaigns intensify ahead of the elections so much is expected from INEC. We must move beyond empty promises, political slogans, ethnic loyalties, religious sentiments, and vote buying. The Osun Gubernatorial election is a test case for INEC.

Every candidate deserves serious scrutiny in terms of leadership experience, and institutional management capability. Experience, character, and competence matter. This is one reason why many commentators have pointed to the performance of Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, as an example of how executive preparation can shape governance.

 He spent decades building a successful career in the private sector, where strategic planning, accountability, financial discipline, and measurable performance are indispensable. Supporters argue that this background has influenced an intentional approach to governance in Abia State, demonstrating that effective leadership is often rooted in preparation rather than improvisation.

The reforms Nigeria needs are clear: stronger anti-corruption institutions, transparent public finance institutions, an independent judiciary, merit-based appointments, protection for whistle-blowers, improved civic education, and greater citizen participation in governance.

Righteousness exalts a nation

The Bible reminds us that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people, Proverbs 14:34.” And, “Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live, Proverbs 15:27.”

 As we approach another election, let us remember that the ballot is more than a political instrument- it is a moral responsibility.

Nigeria does not simply need new leaders; Nigeria needs prepared, principled, visionary leaders and citizens who will refuse to mortgage the future of generations yet unborn for the temporary gains of today.

Japan, China, Singapore and South Korea:

The models of the above-mentioned countries come to mind at this point. What can we learn from them to enhance our governance philosophy? Lee Kuan Yew took Singapore to a New World just like China’s Chairman Mao Zedong, and Deng Xiaoping. Park Chuang-hee of South Korea, and Shigeru Yoshida of Japan led their countries into economic prosperity.

Where do our leaders fit into this category of nation builders? Where is Nigeria’s Lee Kuan Yew, our Chairman Mao, etc?

 At what point was the Nigerian vision impaired, and why is it taking so long to have it repaired?

Chinua Achebe had proposed in one of his seminal works that Nigeria’s problem could be deployed on corrupt, dishonest leadership. Does that mean the leaders being vilified came from outer space and not in the ranks of the grassroots and the middle class? The problem with us is also partly one of a national psyche where the average Nigerian believes he can only benefit from a corrupt system.

Accountability, strong and transparent institutions, not avarice and nepotism, should be the goal for a strong economically driven prosperous nation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:

As a democrat who fought from the trenches for the restoration of democracy, so much is expected from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As Governor of Lagos State, he left an eloquent testimony of what he can achieve as President. The men he positioned in government did not disappoint.

Beyond these projections however, we expect more dividends of democracy from Mr. President going forward especially with the grassroots.

The President’s bold reforms such as the subsidy removal, exchange rate stabilisation, and a host of other broad system-wide government and Central Bank of Nigeria macro-economic policies, all the national economic aggregates such as inflation, government debts home and abroad with the foreign exchange reserves, and fiscal revenues that have been endorsed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), must be balanced by bold grassroot and micro-economic policies-a strong purchasing power parity of household budgets in different baskets of currency, and the operating costs of small and big businesses, that is the ability of industries to remain in business plus a plugging of the loop holes in budgetary management.

Who knows, the President may pull the plug for efficient management of the economy, and win the Lee Kuan Yew medal! Just thinking aloud.

Alex Otti

My governor Alex Otti has become endeared to the people of Abia State for a track record of good governance. He remains a recurring decimal of positive delivery, and with the members of the Abia Classic Golf and Country Club with me as chairman of the Board of Trustees, we doff our hats for him and wish him more energy in the delivery of the dividends of democracy as well as an easy ride to a second term in 2027.

Why Abia Classic Golf and Country Club Aligns with the Otti Vision

This project is not merely a sports facility. It is a multidimensional infrastructure investment engineered to redefine Abia State’s socio-economic landscape in strict alignment with the Otti Administration’s vision.

Upon completion, the project will deliver the following specific advantages: It will be a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI) and tourism; a world-class golf course and country club that will put Abia State on the global sports tourism map; a natural attraction for high networth individuals,  regional tournaments, corporate retreats, and international visitors, injecting substantial revenue into the local economy, and a hub for massive job creation and youth empowerment. Also, the construction phase alone will employ hundreds of locally skilled and unskilled labourers, it will be a club with a permanent diverse career paths for Abia youths in hospitality management, sports coaching, turf agronomy, facility maintenance and administrative operations, and catalyst for urban renewal and property appreciation

History shows that modern golf estates exponentially drive up the value of surrounding real estates. The designated zone will see rapid infrastructure growth, improved road accessibility and a modern face-lift that elevates the entire state’s profile. It will be a premium hub for corporate networking because a state-of-the-art gulf club serves as the ultimate boardroom outside the office.

It will provide  a secure, prestigious environment for top tier executives, diplomats and investors to meet, network, and broker deals that will benefit the economic growth of Abia State.

Additionally, it will be a catalyst for urban renewal and property appreciation will benefit the economic growth of Abia State.

Abia Classic and Gulf Club shares Otti’s profound vision for a modernised, prosperous Abia State.

Ezem, the Chairman Board of Trustees, Abia Classic Golf and Country Club, wrote in from Abuja.