Chinua Achebe on the Travails of Leadership in Nigeria

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
07031523329
1st October, 2021.

Introduction:
Chinua Achebe, no doubt is one of the most celebrated literary icons to emerge from the continent of Africa: he is also a socio/political thinker of towering height. Achebe, during his life time, received several awards both locally and internationally for his brilliance and erudition. His book, 'Things Fall Apart' remains one of the best works of fiction that chronicles the customs and superstition of an African tribe. Things Fall Apart is known across the globe as it has been published in over 50 languages and, has sold more than ten million copies internationally. Beside Things Fall Apart, Achebe published several novels, short stories, poetries etc that have, like Things Fall Apart received myriads of laurels.

In this work, titled 'Chinua Achebe on the Travails of Leadership in Nigeria', I shall be examining the views of Achebe concerning the trouble with Nigeria. Achebe, in his book, 'The Trouble With Nigeria' identified leadership deficit as the source of Nigeria's affliction.



Concerning good governance, many African scholars, towing the path of Western tradition believe that strong institutions rather than strong men or strong leaders is what Africa needs to escape the entrapment of poverty and backwardness. This position is supported by the argument of Clive Staples Lewis which posits that: "mankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows". While this argument remains incurably true, one wonders how formidable institutions are to be built without strong men or strong leaders? Strong institutions don't fall from the blues: it takes strong leaders to build strong institutions. Relating to Lewis' conception of "man's falleness", it makes little or no sense to distinguish between a strong man and a strong leader. However, I will attempt to draw a line between the two. " A strong man is one who is fearless or feared for being ruthless ; a man who manipulates or exploits their economy to enrich himself; he also manipulates the entire apparatus of state to continue to remain in power". The President of United States of America, Barack Obama during his visit to Ghana on the 11th of July, 2019, before the Ghanaian parliament made the following statement regarding strong institutions and strong men:

In the 21st century, capable, reliable
and transparent institutions are the
key to success - strong parliaments,
honest police, independent judges,
an independent press, a vibrant
private sector, a civil society. Those
are the things that give life to
democracy because that is what
matters in people's every day lives...
History is not on the side of those
who use coups or change
constitutions to stay in power. Africa
doesn't need strong men, it needs strong
institutions.

A strong leader is one who is governed by conscience and, who has the willpower to operate or run a meaningful and purposeful government.

Having a leader who possesses willpower and conscience brings about a sincere and transparent leadership, this is what Africa needs to build formidable institutions that can put it on the path to greatness - this, basically is the crux of Achebe's "The Trouble With Nigeria".

Achebe, against a popularly held assumption 'that people of the negroid race are incapable of ruling themselves' opened the book, " The Trouble With Nigeria" by declaring thus:

The trouble with Nigeria is simply and
squarely a failure of leadership. There
is nothing basically wrong with the
Nigerian character. There is nothing
wrong with the Nigerian land or climate
or water or air or anything else. The
Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or
inability of its leaders to rise to the
responsibility, to the challenge of
personal example which are the
hallmarks of true leadership.

The trouble with Nigeria as identified by Achebe is basically bad leadership and nothing else. With the spate of hate speeches and killings going on in Nigeria, it appears that Nigerians hate themselves. This is not true. The truth is that Nigerians especially, the ordinary citizens do not hate themselves. As a matter of fact, they have no reason to do so. The volley of execration currently being hurled by Nigerians against themselves is a clearly contrived arrangement by members of the ruling elite to keep the people in perpetual disunity. In this way, they (the ruling elite) will continue to deplete our Commonwealth without fear of any form of uprising.

Strong leader can bring about miraculous change in Africa. Achebe cited the case of Murtala Muhammed who, upon taking over the reigns of leadership transformed the Nigerian society overnight following his no nonsense attitude. Even the tepid behaviour of citizens such as; the intractable traffic jams popularly known as 'goslow', lateness to work etc which were thought to be incurable disappeared in less than 24hours after Murtala took over in July, 1975. But the transformation had began to fade even before his tragic assassination. This problem, Achebe noted is caused by the lack or inability to sustain the tempo or..."be followed up with a radical programme of social and economic reorganization or at least, a well conceived and consistent agenda of reform which Nigeria stood, and stands in dire need of".

Strong leaders who can bring about "genuine change" though rare in any time or place are not lacking in Nigeria. However, Achebe believes that:
It is the duty of enlightened citizens to
lead the way in their discovery and to
create an atmosphere conducive to
their emergence. If this conscious
effort is not made, good leaders, like
good money, will be driven out by bad.

Achebe was right, Nigerian leaders are easily distracted by innumerable things; prominent among them are the volume of wealth and power they meet in the place of leadership. This explains why they become arrogant and narcissistic upon assumption of leadership position.

Achebe does not believe that ruthlessness is a necessary qualification for Nigerian leadership. However, positive change is possible if the saddle of leadership is mounted by men who can transcend naked avarice and the thirst for power - such leaders, Achebe acknowledged are scarce but concerted effort must be made by well meaning citizens to ensure their emergence.

Many Nigerians believe that Nigeria is doomed; that it can never come out of the woods. Achebe rejects this view or attitude of resignation to fate. To him, Nigeria is a great country endowed with both human and natural resources. In his words, "Nigeria is a great country favoured by providence. Everything that is required to transform this country are available: there are many thoughtful men and women of conscience, a large number of talented people".

Conclusion:

Truly, there is nothing wrong with the Nigerian character, its problem is simply that of leadership. Nigerians are not slow-witted people, they are not dyslexic that they cannot comprehend a simple instruction. What has remained a major challenge in Nigeria is the absence of a stern, courageous, brave and detribalized father figure who can shepherd the people through thick and thin. Nigerians can be the most lawful people on the face of the globe if the right conditions are put in place and subsequently maintained. For instance, Nigerians, as noted by Achebe demonstrated unreserved willingness to be law abiding when Murtala Muhammed came into power in July, 1975. Unfortunately, the people went back to their old ways following the government's inability to sustain the right atmosphere necessary for obedience and nation building.

Many Nigerians living abroad have distinguished themselves in their various careers and also as decent and law abiding residents. The reason being that, the leaders of these countries are conscious about winning the hearts and minds of the people thereby, securing their full loyalty. But in Nigeria, the reverse is the case - leaders are not interested in their people. Like orphans, Nigerians are crying everyday for help but no one is ready to come to the rescue of the people. This seeming helplessness have compelled some persons or group of persons into resorting to self help. Today, Nigeria is teetering on the precipice of collapse: insecurity has reached its crescendo such that human life is no more significant than that of an ant. In every part of the country, there is the expression of widespread discontent by the ordinary people over the way matters of state are being handled. Regrettably, the leaders seem to be unperturbed. For instance, rather than address the problems of hunger, unemployment, insecurity etc that are ravaging the land our leaders are busy quarreling over who becomes what in 2023. But let them be reminded that; when things fall apart, the center cannot hold!