POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND THE RE-MAKING OF NIGERIA AS A COUNTRY: A PHILOSOPHICAL EVALUATION

Abstract

This article is a philosophical evaluation of the concept of political leadership in relation to the re-making of Nigeria as a country. Political leadership has to do with the legitimate power and authority given by the citizens of a particular society to a few individuals known as political leaders for the promotion of citizens’ welfare and for the total development of the entire society. The fundamental questions that are very pertinent in this article are: What actually is political leadership? What is the political situation in Nigeria today? Could Nigerian political leaders be said to be performing up to the required standard? What role can philosophy play in improving the political situation of Nigeria? These and other related issues are to be given serious attention in this work. The approach is both analytic and phenomenological. It is discovered that the practice of democratic leadership in Nigeria is very questionable. This stems from the fact that it contradicts the principles of democracy, and seems to be the opposite of what is obtainable in well-organized democratic countries of the world. Hence, the researchers argue that Nigerian leadership predicaments could be ameliorated if Nigeria and her leaders adhere strictly to the core tenets of democracy or even borrow a leaf from globally acceptable leadership principles of justice and fairness which are the bedrock of any democratic political institution in the world today. Besides, the leaders should uphold the rule of law and take proper actions for the development of Nigeria and for the good of the citizens. Obviously, such will be of immense assistance in the re-making and repositioning of Nigeria in the right direction.