When leaders lack vision, electorate pays the price, by Mohammed Salihu
The story of Nigeria, since its independence in 1960, is not merely a tale of coups and constitutions—it is a sobering chronicle of the consequences of electing leaders without vision. While leadership sets the tone of governance, it is the electorate that inevitably pays the price when those at the helm are guided more by politics than by purpose.
Throughout Nigeria’s post-independence journey, the cost of misgovernance has never been abstract—it has come in the form of lives lost, dreams deferred, infrastructure decayed, and opportunities squandered.
1960–1966: The Promise That Never Materialized
At independence, Nigeria stood tall with potential. Blessed with natural resources, an educated elite, and regional strength, the country could have led Africa into a new era. Instead, the First Republic, under President Nnamdi Azikiwe and Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, quickly succumbed to ethnic competition, sectionalism, and the politics of patronage.
Rather than craft a national vision, leaders of that era pandered to regional power blocs. The result? Political instability that culminated in the 1966 coup—a forewarning of deeper dysfunctions to come.
1967–1970: The Civil War and the Fallout of Failed Leadership
The Nigerian Civil War was not inevitable; it was the tragic consequence of poor crisis management and the absence of inclusive governance. Over one million lives were lost—most of them civilians. What should have been a moment of national healing became a period of unprecedented suffering. The electorate, particularly in the Eastern Region, bore the brunt of leadership failure.
1979–1983: Civil Rule Without Direction
With the return to civilian rule in 1979, Nigerians hoped for a fresh start. Yet, the Shehu Shagari administration quickly descended into corruption and incompetence. Despite an oil boom, the economy crumbled under visionless spending and unchecked patronage.
Rather than channel national wealth into infrastructure, industry, or education, the government frittered away Nigeria’s earnings. Inflation soared, unemployment deepened, and disillusionment grew. The military, sensing chaos, returned in 1983.
1983–1999: Military Rule and a Nation in Decline
From Buhari’s first regime to the iron-fisted rule of Babangida and the brutal dictatorship of Abacha, Nigeria spiraled into authoritarianism. The economy was battered by Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP), leading to naira devaluation, the collapse of local industries, and mass suffering.
Public institutions deteriorated. Education, healthcare, and infrastructure were sacrificed on the altar of austerity and personal enrichment. The masses, voiceless under military rule, suffered through years of poverty, repression, and lost potential.
1999–2007: Democratic Resurgence, Stagnant Vision
Olusegun Obasanjo’s return to power in 1999 came with renewed optimism. There were real gains—debt forgiveness, economic reforms, and telecom expansion. Yet, many structural deficiencies were left unresolved. The power sector remained unreliable. Corruption persisted. And despite high oil revenues, little transformation was felt at the grassroots.
A visionary blueprint was needed, but what emerged was reactive governance that fell short of Nigeria’s pressing needs.
2007–2015: Goodluck, Missed Chances
President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration showed glimpses of long-term thinking, especially with the Niger Delta amnesty program. Sadly, his health cut his tenure short. Under President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria saw economic growth on paper—including its rebasing to become Africa’s largest economy in 2014—but the deeper issues of insecurity, inequality, and institutional decay remained unaddressed.
His administration’s failure to stem the rise of Boko Haram resulted in the deaths and displacement of thousands. The fuel subsidy scandal and widespread corruption further eroded public trust. For millions, economic and physical security was shattered.
2015–2023: Buhari’s Return and a Hope Betrayed
The 2015 elections were historic. Nigerians yearned for change and placed their trust in Muhammadu Buhari. Yet, over eight years, insecurity worsened, inflation soared, and unemployment became a national crisis. The promise of anti-corruption reforms faded as governance stalled.
Perhaps most damning was the administration’s lack of a coherent economic direction. Over-centralized decision-making and failure to diversify the economy left Nigeria vulnerable. Youth discontent exploded into the #EndSARS protests—only to be met with violence and silence.
2023 and Beyond: A Nation at a Crossroads
As Nigeria navigates a new political era, one truth remains: the quality of leadership determines the quality of life for its citizens. Elections are not mere formalities. They are pivotal moments where the nation either invests in vision or consigns itself to cycles of disappointment.
When leaders lack vision, the result is not just policy failure—it is human suffering. And when voters ignore red flags or reward incompetence, the cycle continues.
What Must Change?
Visionary leadership is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Nigeria needs leaders who plan not just for the next election but for the next generation. Leaders who invest in human capital, infrastructure, security, and economic diversification. Leaders who prioritize justice, inclusion, and sustainability over patronage and short-term gain.
But for such leaders to emerge, the electorate must take its role seriously. Citizens must demand clarity of purpose, interrogate campaign promises, and hold politicians accountable—not just after elections, but every day.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s history offers painful lessons about what happens when vision is absent from leadership. The consequences are always borne by the people—through poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and hopelessness.
The good news? The power to break this cycle lies with the electorate. A vote is more than a right; it is a decision about the kind of future we want.
As another chapter in Nigeria’s democracy unfolds, the question is not just who will lead—but what vision will guide them.
