Danjuma: Quality of Leadership Declining in Nigeria
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo praised the members of the League of Northern Democrats for their initiative in forming the group but urged them to broaden their focus from a regional to a national level. He made these remarks during a meeting with a 20-member delegation from the League, led by its chairman, former Kano State Governor Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, at his Abeokuta Presidential Library Complex yesterday.
In a statement shared with the press by the League, Obasanjo remarked, “Whenever you transform into a League of Nigerian Democrats, come back to me, and I will gladly be your patron. I share your worries about the situation in Nigeria, but I will join you and support your efforts if you embrace a national perspective, even though I may not be as active due to my age.”
Obasanjo expressed confidence in the potential of the delegation, given its impressive membership. He thanked Shekarau for his commitment and acknowledged the group’s efforts to meet in Abeokuta despite the harsh economic realities facing the country. He also commended Dr. Umar Ardo for his foresight in convening the group. Earlier, Shekarau informed the former president that the delegation sought to benefit from his extensive experience in governance and leadership.
During his closing remarks, the Secretary of the group, Emmanuel Jime, expressed gratitude for Obasanjo’s life, calling him the most nationalistic and detribalized Nigerian alive.
In another development, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, a former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defense, warned against the alarming decline in the standard and quality of political leadership in Nigeria. He stressed the urgency for those in power to take immediate action to reverse this trend. Danjuma voiced his concerns when the League of Northern Democrats delegation visited him at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He stated, “The quality of leadership in Nigeria is deteriorating rapidly.” He emphasized that the situation is even worse in the North. Danjuma urged leaders to take responsibility and confront this troubling trend. He advised the League of Northern Democrats to pursue their vision with resilience, as they face a corrupt political elite armed with significant power and resources poised to resist change.
Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, leader of the delegation, explained that their visit aimed to inform General Danjuma about the League’s vision and mission. He outlined the primary objectives of the League, including influencing the emergence of credible leadership in the North, uniting various interest groups, and establishing a reliable leadership recruitment process across all offices to position the North as a significant influence in Nigeria.
Shekarau highlighted the current challenges facing the North, such as insecurity and setbacks in education, economy, and overall development. He mentioned that the League of Northern Democrats is actively engaging with esteemed statesmen to draw from their extensive political and leadership expertise, which is crucial for societal advancement.
In response, General Danjuma, acknowledging the passage of time, praised the League for their initiative and commitment, offering to support their efforts where possible. The general became emotional as he listened to Muktari, the son of late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, recounting events from January 1966, reflecting on the legacy of the late Sir Abubakar.
The League was convened in July and has since been involved in various activities, working on consultations and efforts to define its mission. It has gained significant traction with influential figures like former Vice President Namadi Sambo, General Martin Luther Agwai, General AbdulRahman Dambazau, General Alwali Kazir, and numerous other key northern leaders, resulting in a substantial increase in membership.
