In An Exemplary Democrat, Orido deepens narrative on Tinubu
03 March 2024 |
3:07 am
In the 1980s and 1990s, democratic movements across the world were dominant in the promotion of human rights, liberty, freedom, and democracy in developing countries.
In the 1980s and 1990s, democratic movements across the world were dominant in the promotion of human rights, liberty, freedom, and democracy in developing countries. Within the developing countries, there were equally citizens who fought against dictatorship, military regimes, and racial segregation.
In Nigeria, citizens such as Wole Soyinka, Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Baba Omojola and Femi Falana were at the forefront in the battle to end the imposed military government and contribute to the establishment of new democratic governments and institutions.
But the battle did not end with the people. There was one youngman, a politician and former Senator, who represented Lagos West, who was one of the arrowheads of the actualisation of the June 12 mandate of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. He was everywhere in the mission to chase away the military in Nigeria. He is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who today, is president of the country.
As a member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he contributed tremendously to the vanquishing of the military regime, which he was to enjoy later, as he was voted in as Governor of Lagos State in 1999 and in 2023, the president of Nigeria.
In the book, An Exemplary Democrat, Vincent Akpomefure Orido explores the life of this man, who is considered an exemplar of what democracy signifies. As its title suggests, the book presents President Tinubu as a “political icon whose life has positively impacted the socio-political history of Nigeria.”
For philosophers and political scientists looking for new perspectives to the study of democracy, the book, An Exemplary Democrat, may not be the best bet, as it does not answer basic questions of citizen security, the nature of public accountability, and the role of money as a source of political power. However, it provides standard models of causal explanation needed to be supplemented by more interpretative approaches.
Since leadership plays a vital role in democracy, understanding the nature of democratic leadership is essential. Naming four factors as making up the exemplary democrat, the author says Tinubu is: Hungry for national reform, passionate and determined, focuses on his vision and a ‘rugged mountain climber.’ Tinubu demonstrates, as the author points out, “in a practical way, the ‘Principle of Once a Democrat, a Democrat’.”
The book considers sacrifice, courage, symbolism, citizen participation, and vision as major characteristics in the display of democratic leadership in various political, social, and cultural contexts.
It also considers them as exemplary models of democratic leadership in democratic movements for achieving democracy. They have shown crucial characteristics of democratic leadership, offering lessons for democratic governance. It draws from three main methods: theoretical reflection, structured comparison, and historical enquiry, all three of which can be combined.
The book argues that Tinubu as a democrat should best be understood from the long‐term, dynamic, and open‐ended process extending over generations.
Written in a very simple and lucid form, the 166-page book has seven chapters and a section for recommendations and references. There are 18 pictorials, which give the book that condensed feeling it wears.
In the foreword, the book presents in a lucid manner, the antecedents and political reforms of President Tinubu. He encourages Nigeria and the international community to embrace peace and give maximum support to his administration just as Lagos State is thriving amid ethnic differences and different cultural backgrounds. Therefore, “Unity” is an exponential road map to a New Nigeria.
The author reveals that Nigeria is still capable of experiencing total reform that will make it an abode for peace and investment destination of Africa if leaders in various capacities can exhibit courage, transparency, self-service and total commitment to national development.
He urges the Federal Government to critically examine various reform policies that need urgent attention to redress the dwindling economy, and thereby, achieving a deep taste for the new.
In view of the above, the book reiterates that reform is a continuous process if rooted in visionary leadership style and collaborative efforts of stakeholders. “In this way, restructuring is like chiseling and hammering amid criticism and grave opposition that finally brings out the beauty of broken marbles,” says the author.
Considering his enormous contributions to national development, with Lagos State as an example, the book examines the personality of Asiwaju, his speeches (especially quotes), political antecedents and various reforms, character as a nation unifier; the urgency of national reforms; democracy and the expectation of the electorates.
The book also highlights Nigeria’s reform process since 1899 to date as well as the ‘score card’ of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the author’s recommendation of a National Farm Support programme and other policies that need government’s urgent attention.
The book emphasises Tinubu’s visions and blueprints that can make Nigeria experience total reform that would make it an abode of peace and investment destination of Africa. This is possible if leaders in various capacities can exhibit courage, transparency, selfless service and total commitment to national development.
Orido is a veteran journalist; projects research consultant and former Special Project Executive with The Guardian Newspapers and the (South) Westerners Newspapers as well as other corporate organisations with resounding success in projects initiative and management.
He is from Awire in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North of Delta State and Higher National Diploma holder in Marketing from The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
Orido is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of research outfits, ‘Journalists Monitoring Performance for Democratic Governance and Journalists Research Health Guide.’
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