TUPOCRACY IN DEMOCRACY (THE WAY OUT OF NIGERIA’S LEADERSHIP QUAGMIRES);A LECTURE PRESENTED BY THE REV. GODWIN AKPAN AMAOWOH, PhD, FnbR, GENERAL SECRETARY, THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA, AT THE 20TH ANNIVERSSARY AND TRANSFORMATIONAL PUBLIC LECTURE OF FIRST LOVE FOUNDATION, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, ON THURSDAY, 15THSEPTEMBER, 2022

INTRODUCTION
Leadership takes place when a person or a group of persons exercises authority over other people with a view to achieving organizational goals. A leader is a person who knows the way and has the ability and capability to influence other people to follow him, whether they are willing or not, but at the end they will be happy they did. Many books and articles have been written and many theories, doctrines and ideologies propounded on the subject of leadership and governance, whether in the State or Church. Such doctrines and theories include democracy, autocracy, aristocracy, oligarchy, monarchy, etc. This underscores the importance of the subject because leadership is critical in the rise, growth, prosperity and success or otherwise of all organizations, institutions and nations, beginning from the home. This lecture, to me, is timeous, strategically put in place to positively influence the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, with a view to appealing to the consciences of all stake holders to consciously think of how to change the narratives of our bad past. One way to achieve this is by introducing Tupocracy into our Democracy to ensure that true Nigerian men and women of exemplary conduct and lifestyle, not those who have the bad spirit of non-stakeholders, are elected or appointed into the various organs and institutions of governance. For this, I sincerely commend the organizers of this Public Lecture for their thoughtfulness in choosing this very thought-provoking topic for this year, with me as the Guest Speaker. I consider this as a great honour.

I. NIGERIA’S MAIN PROBLEM – THE QUAGMIRE OF BAD LEADERSHIP
Quagmire here is defined as a difficult, precarious, entrapping position or predicament. Nigeria is one of the nations which are richly blessed by God in terms of natural resources, namely, solid minerals, water resources, good climate, fertile land for arable and pastoral farming, forest products, crude oil, gas and a large population to participate gainfully in socio-economic and political activities and contribute to national development. Sadly, she has remained one of the poorest nations due to perennial experience of bad leadership. One is always left to wonder why the nation cannot generate enough electricity for domestic and industrial concerns in spite of the presence of many water falls for hydro electricity, good climate for solar energy abundance of waste for bioenergy and other industrial purposes, instead, citizens will depend on Generators for power. One also should wonder why citizens have to depend on personal water boreholes to get water amidst so many rivers in the land which can be harnessed for public water supply by the Government. Bad leadership at all levels has also been responsible for the death of industries and factories, poor quality of education, high rate of unemployment, restiveness, insecurity antisocial activities and brain-drain. This situation has been the cause of Nigeria’s quagmire of stagnation, poverty and instability, among others. One major index of bad leadership is corruption in all its ramifications, which successive governments have been promising to fight but without success.

II. THE NEED FOR TUPOCRACY IN NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY
Nigeria claims to be practicing Democracy, but what is currently in existence can aptly be described as “Dem all Cracy” or “DemoCrazy,” which may be defined as “Government of insane people, by insane people, and for insane people.” This is Democracy without character and moral values.It was in search of effective leadership style and political culture for our dear nation and the world at large that Tupocracy was born as a veritable ally and underpin of pure and unadulterated Democracy for a prosperous and peaceful society.

III. ORIGIN OF TUPOCRACY
According to Urban Dictionary Online and other Online sources cited above, Tupocracy was invented by Godwin Amaowoh in 2006, then a PhD student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,in his Dissertation which was supervised by Prof. E. N. Chinwokwu. The Board of Examiners which was chaired by Prof. Vincent Nyoyoko scored Dr. Amaowoh Distinction and recommended and endorsed Tupocracy as an authentic invention of global relevance as a political doctrine. The Dissertation was also recommended for publication. Hence, the first edition was published in 2007 as Tupocracy: Leadership by Example for the Church and Civil society. Dr. Amaowoh was subsequently inducted into the Nigerian Books of Record for this feat which Online Dictionaries have accepted. (Google Tupocracy or Dr. Godwin Amaowoh for more information on the subject).

IV. DEFINITION OF TUPOCRACY:
According to Urban Dictionary online and other Online sources, the word, Tupocracy, is generated from the Greek word “Tupos” which means, an example, pattern or model to be imitated; and Kratia, which means government or administration. Tupocracy therefore is a system of government involving people who lead by positive example based on integrity, transparency, patriotism and godly character which is worthy of emulation by followers. According to the Dictionary, compared with democracy, oligarchy, bureaucracy and monarchical system of governance where character is often not the basis for governance and administration, Tupocracy exercises its power more in an image reflection and imitation style of ruling. This definition has been corroborated by Definitions.net; Gyaanipedia; Everybodywiki, etc. Great people have been talking about leadership by example which Tupocracy has come to popularize and propagate. As it were, Tupocracy has a global relevance in good Governance, if adopted as a system of government and style of leadership

V. DEFINITION OF DEMOCRACY
Democracy has been defined as Government of the people by the people and for the people. It can also be defined as a Rule by the people through their elected Representatives, from the Greek word “demokratia,” “demos” people, and kratia, government or administration. It is both a system of government and a style of leadership. Democracy is a world acclaimed political doctrine though it does not place emphasis on character and moral values. If combined with Tupocracy, the Democrat will be able to say “Do as I do.” Without tupocracy, Democracy becomes “Democrazy.” This is why true dividends of Democracy may continue to remain elusive in most nations, including Nigeria. Hence, Tupocracy is meant to add moral value of exemplary conduct to Democracy. Nigeria’s Democracy will continue to be branded as“Democrazy” as long as it is charactized by corruption, lack of transparency in electoral processes, lack of integrity in mentorship and god-fatherism which has produced thugs and ballot box snatchers instead of patriotic and responsible citizens, as well as lack of veritable role models who should show positive example in all areas of life. Politics which is the art and science of governance has often been described in Nigeria as a dirty game because of the dirty activities of the Politicians. The effect is that the country has become dirty in every sense of the word. Where this persists, Nigeria will not enjoy the respect of other Nations. So far the branding of politics in Nigeria as a dirty game has unnaturally kept away people of integrity from the system.

VI. THE KEY TENETS OF TUPOCRACY AS A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP STYLE
Godwin Amaowoh, (2021) has stated the tenets of Tupocracy as follows:
1. It is predicated on the age-long axiom that “example is better than precept”, because what the leader is in terms of negative conducts may thunder so loud that people cannot hear what he says.
2. It is meant to bridge the credibility gap that exists between leaders and their followers. If a leader says one thing and contradicts it by what he does, followers will lose faith and confidence in him. Followers need to be convinced that their leaders are true.
3. Unlike other political doctrines and styles of leadership, Tupocracy emphasizes character of the leader, to lead by positive example, so as to become a role model for his followers to copy, emulate, imitate or mimic(John 13; I Cor. 4: 16; 11:1 and I Tim. 4:12).
4. Tupocracy recommends an amalgam of both the Character Ethic Paradigm and the Personality Ethic Paradigm, the former being principle or moral centred; while the latter sees successful leadership as a function of personality, skills and techniques that lubricate human interactions without emphasis on moral values.
5. Tupocracy is all about walking one’s talk, being a role model of rectitude, integrity, decency, altruism, respect for the Golden Rule and the Rule of Law.
In Tupocracy, the leader at any level or institution, including the Home, says, “Do as I do” and not merely “Do as I say.”
6. Tupocracy emphasizes integrity as the hub of all aspects of Governance. In view of this, it should reflect on the conducts of all stake holders in Democracy, namely, the electoral candidates, who may become elected into various organs of Government,the electorate, the electoral umpires security agencies and the Judicial officers.

PRAXIS AND CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF TUPOCRACY IN NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY
Tupocracy has contemporary relevance in the following areas in Nigeria:
(1) Honesty. The leader should be exemplary in honesty and altruism.
(2) Humility. No civilized society endorses arrogance or pride in any leader or people in general. Yet, humility is a scarce attribute among Nigerian leaders, most of whom are ostentatiousin their lifestyle. One way a leader can show example in humility is to admit his mistakes, apologize to his followers, and if necessary, resign from that office in the interest of the nation. However, this has never happened in Nigeria.
(3) Integrity: This virtue is needed in governance and public service, with no trace of corruption in the award or execution of contracts, employment, promotion and administration of justice. Sadly, nepotism, favouritism, self-aggrandizement, ethnic and religious chauvinism, as well as other forms of corrupt practices have been the identity of most Nigerian leaders in all the civilian Governments and Military interregnums. Leaders who claim to fight corruption are often those who lack the integrity for the fight.
(4) Rule of law and submission to the supremacy of the constitution by the leader: Tupocracy will ensure that the leader is a role model in terms of obedience to the laws of the land, including traffic rules.
(5) Tupocracy will ensure transparency in financial matters, with no skeleton in the cupboard, including declaration of assets. There should be no fear in the declaration of assets if they were genuinely acquired by any leader.
(6) Tupocracy will ensure respect for all symbols of authority by our leaders, e.g. the National flag, National Anthem and the National Pledge, to be emulated by others. This does not mean mere recitation of the Pledge orsinging of the Anthem,but to practice the wordings of such national symbols as role models.
(7) Punctuality to duty and official functions. A lack of these virtues has been a bane to national development. Younger people have copied the bad example from our leaders.
( Patriotism (love for one’s nation): This is seen in the way and manner the leader serves, placing the needs of the nation above personal needs. Lack of patriotism among Nigerian leaders has been the reason for vandalism of public infrastructure and embezzlement of public funds which young people in particular have copied from the leaders. A patriotic or true leader will sacrifice personal comfort and pleasure for the happiness of his followers. He will not do those things that are harmful to national development.
(9) Love for fellow men: This is predicated on the Golden Rule. Kidnapping and killing of fellow citizens for money and ritual purposes are the consequences of lack of love for one another. It is sad that some Nigerian leaders have been associated with these heinous activities and often recruit young people to assist them. Tupocracy is a panacea for this, leaders, should show example in love.
(10) Tupocracy will ensure contentment, avoiding covetousness, greed and avarice or cupity for inordinate wealth among public servants. This attitude will prevent embezzlement of funds which has been the major identity of most Nigeria leaders, and encourage self-sacrifice for national development.
(11) Accountability as required in stewardship: Tupocratic leaders ensure accountability and transparency in all they do, based on due process.
(12) Tupocracy lays emphasis on sound speech and communication which do not destroy but build the nation, institution and people. Unguarded speeches can destroy our nation. Leaders should show positive example in speech and communication which is a critical element in leadership and governance.
(13) Tupocracy will ensure transparency in all stages of electoral processes, no rigging, thuggery, selling and buying of votes, etc. Thuggery has been known to be sponsored by unscrupulous leaders which sometimes claim the lives of people.
(14) Tupocrats will showdisapproval for corruption and corrupt practices in ways that are observable to the followers, so that they can emulate them.
(15) Tupocracy will ensure justice and fairness in handling all matters affecting followers without being nepotic or unjust because of personal interest or vindictiveness. Judicial officers will be role models in the dispensation of justice. Those who punish law breakers should not be breakers of such laws themselves. Tupocracy is against this practice to ensure equality before the laws of the land. Judicial officers will judge

Hmmm. Interesting!