The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has stated that the credentials of incumbent Vice President (VP) of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo ‘speak for themselves’.
The renowned monarch made this known on Thursday, 28th April 2022 when Prof. Osinbajo visited him in his Palace in Benin, the Edo State capital, as part of consultations for the VP’s 2023 Presidential ambition.
It’s no longer news that Prof. Osinbajo is currently aspiring to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023 when his second term tenure would elapse.
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The royal father appreciated Prof. Osinbajo for the visit to his palace, stating that he was scheduled to be in Abuja for some official engagements but had to stay back to receive the VP.
Oba of Benin said, “We got a letter from your office just the day before yesterday (Tuesday) that the Vice President is coming. We had to put the trip on hold.
“We have heard the reasons why you are here. We don’t need to over flog your credentials, they speak for themselves. Because of your credentials, humility, calmness, there is no gainsaying that your contestants are shivering where they are.”
It’s noteworthy that Prof. Osinbajo is one of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants. Others include former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; and former Abia State Governor, Orji Kalu; amongst others.
The APC presidential primary to decide the party’s flag-bearer is scheduled to hold at the end of May 2022.
It’s imperative to let the teeming Nigerians understand that, in leadership, it is not credentials that do the work but the expertise of the leader at the helm of affairs.
Hence, leadership has nothing to do with credentials, rather, the ability of the leader to apply the needed skills towards ensuring that the required positive transformation is achieved. Leadership is about being creative, innovative and proactive. These factors have nothing to do with one’s credentials.
It’s disheartening to observe that in this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, much and inconsequential emphasis is being laid on credentials and academic qualifications whenever leadership is discussed.
Nigeria’s electorate must go beyond this mentality. In view of this, they must be prepared to listen to the campaign manifesto of any one who intends to lead Nigeria as President.
Yes, it is indisputably good and worthwhile for a leader, or prospective leader, to be very educated. But it’s pertinent to note that such possession shouldn’t override the person’s skill to bring transformation.
Secondly, I’m equally using this medium to advise Nigeria’s traditional rulers to distance themselves from political matters while they discharge their lawful duties. They ought to participate in governance, not politics.
They are therefore only expected to conscientize their subjects to pick their Voter’s Card as well as vote wisely and maturely at the polls, not to canvass votes for any aspirant.
Axe men