Chief Nduese Essien, a former Minister of
Lands and Housing and a political leader in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial
District, believes Nigeria's economic challenges and governance issues are
largely due to the leadership of older individuals who may lack the necessary
mental and physical capacities to effectively address current issues.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Chief
Essien emphasized that older individuals should not be central figures in
governance but should instead offer their wisdom in advisory roles. He
criticized the widespread impunity, corruption, and resource mismanagement
among political leaders, attributing these problems to the decline in economic
stability in Nigeria.
"At 70, one's mental and physical
capacities are not what they used to be," Chief Essien remarked.
"Such individuals should step aside from central governance roles and
offer advice from the sidelines. In today's computer age, younger generations
dominate, making it unacceptable and intolerable for someone over 70 to insist
on leading."
He further explained that the nation's
difficulties stem from having governments led by elderly individuals.
"After 70, one should not aim to provide active and effective leadership.
Instead, a younger, more dynamic person should take the reins while older
individuals serve as advisors."
Chief Essien also pointed out that
political positions often serve as compensatory roles, which can result in
leaders lacking the necessary drive to perform effectively. He urged his party,
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to rejuvenate and strategize to effectively
challenge the ruling party.
"With recent developments, we are
facing a situation that resembles a one-party system, which is not suitable for
a country as diverse as Nigeria," Chief Essien said. He advised the PDP to
strengthen its efforts and not underestimate the potential impact of a
third-party force rising to prominence.
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, he noted,
"We nearly saw an unknown third force take over the government. Many
people disillusioned with both the ruling and opposition parties are now ready
to support this third force, posing a threat to the established parties."
Chief Essien also appealed to the people of
Akwa Ibom to give Governor Umo Eno the space to focus on fulfilling his mandate
rather than being preoccupied with securing a second term. He stressed that a
second term should be earned based on the performance of the first term.
"A second term should be a reward for
good performance in the first four years. It's too early to start campaigning
for Governor Umo Eno's second term. Let's allow him to concentrate on his
current responsibilities and deliver results," he concluded.
No comments:
Post a Comment