LESSONS FROM LEADERS IN GHANA AND MRS. ICHEEN (Have male politicians failed Nigerians?) In the face of recent concerns about respect for the dignity of human life and the sanity of leadership in Africa, two senior government ministers in Ghana have by their recent acts of resignation from public office, cast a ray of hope on the attainment of an improved African political environment. The ministers resigned following the death of a tribal leader and at least 25 others in inter-clan fighting. Though, owning up to one's responsibility is expected of a public official, these acts of resignation must be lauded and encouraged in a world where worldwide news about Africa are mostly negative. Recent reports have it that the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mrs. Margaret Icheen, announced her resignation from her post in protest against neck-deep corrupt practices by lawmakers. Without absolving Mrs. Icheen of any culpability if any (since there has not been a trial on the issues raised), her claims may not be far from the truth considering the culture of Nigerian politics. It is expected that one who takes her position in the current Nigerian political dispensation is bound to meet with the type of reaction Mrs. Icheen have met from those she sought to expose. Regardless of what her critics may say, Mrs. Icheen will continue to command the respect of decent Nigerians who appreciate her type of courage. It is on record that Mrs. Icheen was until her resignation, the only female House Speaker in Nigeria. Perhaps if there were more female politicians in Nigeria, there would be more outcries against corruption and dirty politics. That is the kind of stuff women are made of, and the type of input they would bring into the Nigeria political scene. This is also the reason why female politicians ought to be encouraged, short of saying that male politicians have failed Nigerians. Would a National Assembly and/or executive arm of government dominated by women have gone behind the curtain to 'doctor' an already passed Bill? Would a House of Assembly dominated by women encourage hoodlums to invade and take over the floor of a State House of Assembly? Would a female leader who knows the pain of labor and rearing of children allow law enforcement agents to shoot protesting youths at sight? There are many more of these questions, but they remain questions. The answers could be in the affirmative or negative, yet the fact remains that women could do differently better. I am well aware of the likely reaction I could get from some men for merely giving women such recognition, but the fact remains. Many Nigerians will be eager to vote for a female President. Rather than resorting to male chauvinism, let us recognize the improvements women could bring to leadership. Let us objectively look at the statistics obtainable from other societies where women have significant presence in leadership. For this purpose, let me borrow a few lines from a recent article by Abdulrazaque Bello Barkindo on a related topic. "In Sweden for example, of the 349 seats in the Riksdag, as the Swedish parliament is called, 149 (42%) are women and there is a near 50-50 representation at ministerial level. Sweden is today the third least corrupt country in the world preceded only by Denmark and Finland, both of whom have a very strong female presence, more than 30 per cent each, in public affairs." Currently, regard for Nigerian politicians by the masses remain very low. An Idi-Araba resident speaking after the recent Idi-Araba debacle summarized this feeling when he stated that he is "no longer interested in voting for any politician because they are only interested in themselves once elected." While appreciating the frustration of the masses in the face of an ever-depreciating economy, the Nigerian people must be held to account for their role in the predicament. I have always maintained that the character of the individual Nigerian politician is a microcosm of the macrocosm, since almost every Nigerian politician was first a Nigerian citizen. A refining of the Nigeria politician cannot be significantly achieved if the orientation afforded by the Nigerian society is isolated from consideration. The right to vote for or against a politician is the greatest power possessed by the masses in the polity. To compromise or exchange that for gifts and unrealistic promises by politicians is rather unfortunate. For the masses to sell their votes and conscience based on tribal sentiments and considerations is deplorable, but a failure to consider a politician's record (and capability) when casting one's vote is even worse. As the next Presidential election approaches, the Nigerian malady of being more interested in the tribe and region of the candidate rather than what such individual has to offer is on display again. The frenzy in media and political circles is also on. This is very sad, and Nigeria's political and economic woes will continue until this endemic problem is checked. While extending condolences to those affected in the clash between the Andani and the Abudu clans in the northern town of Yendi in Ghana, it is pertinent to commend the decision of the two Ghanaian ministers to resign as a result of the incident. Both ministers were accused of taking sides with one of the clans involved in the clash. At a time when African leaders are widely accused of being despots and sit-tight leaders who are more interested in power, wealth and self-gain, rather than the concerns of those they lead, these Ghanaian leaders have made a significant point there are also responsible leaders in Africa who are willing to take the blame and even give up the coveted positions of power and leadership when things under their control get messy. It is of note that President John Kufuor of Ghana did deploy troupes to the region under a state of emergency but he did not ask the troops to shoot the fighters or suspects at sight (they were specifically ordered to guard key buildings and keep the peace). He instructed an immediate investigation into the incident, and sent a 10-member government team, headed by the highest-ranking cabinet minister, Joseph Mensah, to the region. With the resignation of the two ministers, an effective investigation devoid of political influences is feasible. So far, the situation has been wisely contained, and we have not heard of such chaos and continued killings, as was the case in similar recent incidents in Nigeria (Makurdi, Kano, Lagos, and Obiaruku to mention a few). Few months ago, a power tussle between a State Governor and his Deputy deteriorated to the extent that it was suspected to have led to the death of a State legislator and the former Minister of Justice in Nigeria. More lives were lost in ensuing uprisings and reprisal attacks. The Governor and his Deputy stayed put in office, passing blames instead. Numerous incidents that have caused more loss of lives than in the Ghana incident, have taken place in Nigeria without any convincing show of true concern by leaders or those in charge. One hopes that Nigerian leaders would emulate such show of responsibility and voluntary accountability in the face of crisis. I shall not belabor the issue. |