Ambition. Until death, like chess, there is need for man to always make the next move with often more than one possible choice, every move has its consequence.

To the average Nigerian, it is an agreed consensus that the country's problem is corruption fostered by it leaders. This notion prompts the question of who Nigerian leaders are, Mr President?, The Presidency?, Governors?, The Blue-Chip CEO's?, Religious leaders?, Vice Chancellors? You?, or me?


In the area of political leadership, from 1960 till date, Nigeria has had 13 people lead her over 15 regimes from Nnamdi Azikwe to Muhammadu Buhari. Arguably, we are yet to find our Lee Kuan Yew or Nelson Mandela, owing to numerous factors but luck.
I strongly disagree that any Nigerian leader ever enters office with anything short of the patriotic optimism to get it right. Although, behind or at the forefront of the will to perform may lie a sinister selfish plot. They all intend to turn the system around and become popular for it. However, along the line, things always goes wrong and the flames of agility to deliver begins to dim.
Among other factors, top on the list of factors that derail the vision of the Nigerian leader is ambition. In as much as it is healthy to aim and aspire, the compromise required in pursuit of ambition and the orchestra that accompanies power tends to slowly eat deep into our personal ideals.

Babatunde Fashola is one quick example. He became governor of Lagos in 2007, allegedly on the anointing of Asiwaju Tinubu with no prior intent to aspire for office. As compared to his colleagues in politics who had to break the bank, make unrealistic promises, form unholy political alliances among other inconvenient commitments, Fashola's case was quite different.

Fashola's first term in office went down as an exemplary model with accolades and acknowledgement for within and abroad. On the other hand, his second term in office still ranks up there, but the low panache was evident. Without denying the fact that Lagosians had probably become used to quality service delivery, Mr Fashola's second term was typical because over his first four years, he had been properly initiated to Nigerian political system and he had become ambitious in his desire to remain in power.

Johnathan Ebele Goodluck is another example on the flip side of things. Without being[img][/img] ambitious, grace positioned him as the Vice president of Nigeria. The sickness and eventual death of his superior, Umaru Musa Yaradua, redefined Johnathan as an ambitious politician, perhaps. President Yaradua had exhausted half of his four year tenure and in pursuit of his ambition to be president, Ebele Johnathan had to form unholy political alliances and pay dues to the powers that be in the Senate and beyond. All of these political move set the stage for a mediocre tenure regardless of his moves or intentions as it was impossible to prosper with the devil as your lieutenants.

Goodluck's eventual ascension to Presidency on the 5th of May 2010 after a long tussle with the powers that be was largely spent in preparation for his ambition to be president in 2011. Upon his return to office in a popular landslide victory against Nuhu Ribadu and Muhammadu Buhari, Johnathan set the stage for some of the progressive systemic reforms Nigeria had been yearning for:
- Single Treasury Account (to collate government revenue)
- Permanent Voters Card (to strengthen electoral reforms)
- BVN (to harmonize data of all local bank account owners)
- Proposed removal of fuel subsidies
- Proposal of 5 year single tenure for presidents
- Power sector privatization
- National CONFAB

Above listed are a few among numerous reforms Johnathan had proposed. However, as James Freeman once said "A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation."
The thoughts of 2015 distracted the statesmanship ideas of Johnathan.

The Buhari story also presents a similar position. Having contested on three previous occasions as a statesman, Buhari never got to office until he was too old, ready to compromise and dine with the Devils. We all know how the Buhari gist has 'ended' today.

OSINBAJO may be another chance, but will ambition once again define his antecedence?
'The man of God' is currently at the helms of affairs apparently. What is running through his thoughts?
-Need to separate the office of the attorney general from Minister of justice?
-State Policing?
-Handing over resource autonomy to states or regions?
-Local government autonomy?
-Constitutional reforms?

Among other statesmanship ideas. Or would he decide to be typical and give the presidency a shot?
"Time will tell and we will watch with interest how they put their actions with their words." - Kenny Johnson.

Perhaps Osinbajo will be another opportunity to have an innocent statesman at the helms of affairs, who knows? But perhaps not?

Happy Democracy Day!
Olokodana Bukhari Omotoyosi

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