Every good leader, who is worth his salt, would exercise empathy to achieve balance. Society is designed in such a way that it leaves some persons or group of persons structurally disadvantaged one way or the other. A good leader adopts an open door policy with a view to making it possible for the inclusiveness and togetherness of stakeholders.
Any action of a leader that does not leave the people happy is not only unjust and unfair but also not fit for human progress and development. It is trite that you cannot satisfy everybody at a time.
Every good leader works hard to guarantee that his actions and decisions leave the greatest happiness for the greatest number of the people. This utilitarian leadership theory, if applied by those who exercise influence, no matter how small, would make progress and sustainable development flow unhindered. Amaechi is a utilitarian.
The life of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State and now Minister of Transportation of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reflects equity, justice and fairness. He believes that in every human effort or any engagement where the humanness of the humans is not put into consideration ab initio, the tendency would be acrimonious. Suffice it to say that no meaningful development can take place in such an environment.
One of the intractable challenges to political leadership in Nigeria is the issue of tribe and ethnicity. Finding a detribalized Nigerian is rare. Amaechi is one of the very few rare detribalized leaders you can find in our political environment. Whereas, that is true, it is also important to state that marginalization can only rear its ugly head where issues of diversity are not properly managed. Neglecting the existence of diversities in a pluralized political environment can be akin to wilfully sitting on a keg of gunpowder.
Rivers State is a State with few majority ethnic groups with a plethora of minority ethnic groups. If attention is not paid to this reality, the result would be that it can spell dome and upset the applecart, if not now, in the nearest future. A proactive leader is that one that foresees that danger looms if and when decisions are taken without due consideration of the impact on the people. A proactive leader seeks to nip in the bud every action that would breed bad blood and distastefulness.
The leader, believes that a State like Rivers State should not be left in the hands of a particular set of persons belonging to a particular side in the dichotomous political convenience.
The upland land has been in power since 1999 till date. He believes that it is only equitable to allow the riverine to have it from 2019. That is the leader's thinking and it has the propensity to make everyone happy.
Ethnic jingoists think otherwise. They care less. Equity, justice and fairness are not words that are known to them. They are selfish and self-centered. They are narcissists. They think self. They think parochially. They ask; "What is in it for me?"
They won't make good leaders. They will worsen the already bad situation in Rivers, especially, with their unholy alliance with the ineffectual incumbent. Their recalcitrance to the party is their own contraption. Regrets await them.
The All Progressives Congress, APC will win the 2019 election because we believe in inclusiveness and purposefulness.
Those who believe in equity are working it out. Equity demands that its seekers must do equity and that he who comes to equity must do so with clean hands. Rt. Hon. Amaechi is a man who believes in equity. He believes that the riverine part of Rivers State deserves to be in the Brick House.
This demonstrable equitable devotion is necessary, on the one hand and sufficient, on the other hand, to liberate Rivers State from the shackles of contemptible, disdainful and ineffectual reality in the hitherto flourishing land of possibilities. I see hope. Come along with me, we will get there.
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