Leadership and Governance

The burden of a nation is too multi-dimensional for a single power broker to manage.

There are entrenched interests in the military, security services, a section of the judiciary and also the bureaucracy, while the population at large remains distraught and impoverished.

Indeed, to inherit a badly managed and shattered economy is disturbing to those who know what is in stock aside from the high level of insecurity.

Those-in-Charge need not feign ignorance about the pressing issues at stake, but go all out to tackle the issues, even as reservations, doubts and suspicions grow among the populace by the day.

The Situation

It is now very glaring that millions of Nigerians-outside the workforce- are contending with hunger, poverty, unemployment and a number of other hardships. However, it is the responsibility of those-in-Charge to save the situation.

Governments guided by accountability, responsibility and transparency have always been constant never to retain card-carrying party members who aspired to political positions but failed to emerge victorious in sensitive positions.
Such party members, if allowed to continue in such public offices, would bring to bear their partisanship.
Sadly, high standards have been eroded.
Interestingly, the expectation of Nigerians is that the newly redesigned 200, 500 and 1,000 Naira notes will be made available for everyone through the banking system.
Although the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has insisted that the new naira notes are in abundant supply to the commercial banks, the experience of Nigerians in banking halls, ATM machine points and P.O.S shops has proved the contrary.
Much as the commercial banks would wish to comply with the directive of the apex bank to make the new notes available, the old notes have been, up till this moment, still being dispensed.
Indeed, if there is no hidden motive in fixing the deadline for the withdrawal of the old notes, which is 31st January, the reasonable and rational step to take ought to be for the old notes to circulate side by side with the new ones, until the former is withdrawn.
However, the desperation and hurried actions of the apex bank to withdraw the old notes suggests that there is more to  it than meets the eyes.
Unfolding events in urban, and most especially rural areas indicate that the CBN would have not option but to extend the deadline; only if it is sensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

2023 and Beyond
The daily occurrence of violent crimes, the sorry state of electricity supply and the lingering fuel scarcity in Nigeria are enough advice for the electorate to determine the next crop of leaders in 2023 and beyond. Perhaps
 

Any focused government with vision ought to put machinery in place that will assess and evaluate the levels of performance and service delivery of political appointees.

The only exception to the above-mentioned, is a government that has a lot to hide.

Contract inflation, money laundering and misappropriation of funds are shadows of several political appointees, although cover-ups are not strange in these days of political campaigns.

Indeed, futile attempts have been made to mend fences after the damage has been done.

Political ambitions have scuttled such attempts.A leader must be decisive and not stand aloof. Interestingly, some elements in government are out for full-scale destruction based on the fierce pursuit of self-interest.

Sadly, the apex bank and commercial banks in the country have been caught in the web of intrigues, manoeuvres and sabotage and Nigerians are at the receiving end.

Of worry, is the non-committal stance of Those-in-Authority, which most believe is an ominous sign for Nigeria and DEMOCRACY.

Note-
Lawlessness, crime and all forms of criminality continue unabated while an unspecifed number of men and officers of the law enforcement agency relentlessely undermine law enforcement.