Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, took to her X handle to issue a powerful message to Nigeria’s leaders: “No leaders have ever won against their people. None.”
Ezekwesili emphasized that when citizens express their hunger and anger due to poor governance, the wise response is not to silence, threaten, taunt, or brutalize them, which she described as a tragic empathy deficit syndrome.
Instead, she outlined several wise actions leaders should take:
- Listen, Listen, Listen: Leaders must genuinely hear the grievances of their people.
- Persuade with Factual Counterpoints: Provide clear, factual responses to address concerns.
- Present a Convincing Plan of Action: Offer a well-thought-out plan to tackle the issues at hand.
- Mobilize the People to “Arise and Build!”: Encourage collective action towards nation-building.
Ezekwesili called on the Nigerian government, including @NigeriaGov, @NGRPresident, @nassnigeria, state governors, and state assemblies, to seize this opportunity to do right by their citizens who are demanding an end to bad governance. She suggested two crucial steps:
- Golden Moment of Opportunity for a Reset: Utilize this critical time to launch a credible national conversation on the most effective structure and direction for good governance. This dialogue should focus on enhancing productivity, competitiveness, prosperity, justice, equity, equality, order, peace, harmony, stability, and resilience at all levels.
- Engage with Citizens Directly: Leaders should come out to protest grounds across the country and engage directly with their citizens. Listening to their demands in person is vital. Ezekwesili urged leaders not to remain secluded behind the high gates of their publicly-funded state and government houses, enjoying indulgent lives while citizens suffer severe economic hardship.
In her closing remarks, Ezekwesili stressed that the choice still lies with the leaders to make the right decisions and take the necessary actions to address the people’s demands and end bad governance in Nigeria.
