Asiwaju and the Burden of Leadership, by Mobolaji Sanusi

“Leadership comes with a heavy burden of responsibility, and the fear of making mistakes can paralyze a leader.” —John C. Maxwell

William Shakespeare is a world-famous playwright and poet, considered the greatest playwright of all time. To this day, his works are appreciated throughout the world. He has many enduring literary works with quotable quotes to his credit. In his Henry IV, Part 2 (Act 3, Scene 1), he issues the inimitable concluding poetic quotation of a stanza: “Restless lies the head that wears a crown.”

This quote was uttered by King Henry IV as he struggled with insomnia due to the burdens of leadership that weighed heavily on his shoulders during the Renaissance era and period. And it has since become a global refrain, spoken and written to describe the hilarious demand for a leadership position.

From the above, however, is why whenever the image or thought of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, crosses my eyes and mind, I usually get caught up in thinking whether Asiwaju is still truly enjoying being the President of this country in this cantankerous period of its history. My thought is that despite the fact that the President has stated publicly ab initio that he should not be pitied because he deliberately asked for and fought for the high position.

There are numerous reasons that justify the sincere concern towards the president. The myriads of inherited problems and the endless search for solutions to these protracted problems that have remained unsolvable. Problems have remained endemic, largely due to the human behavioral propensity for corruption and disregard for the rule of law, while when things go wrong, we are quickly reminded that the responsibility lies with the leadership. For example, when most state governors and local council chairmen across the country spend their billions in monthly federal appropriations on frivolities or condone insecurity in their jurisdictions, the public assumption is that the president should be held accountable.

Government policy in this country and other countries inevitably places the spotlight on the president and his ruling party. This is because, as stated in Shakespeare’s work, uneasy indeed lies the head that wears the crown; even when sometimes the boss deserves applause in certain areas of governance/management. Could it be that the president isn’t doing anything right or visible enough for the eyes to see? I ask honestly: what about your undertakings in the field of road infrastructure? The statistics in this regard are quite attractive, but could probably have been dwarfed by the demanding demands in other spheres of government where this administration proves itself lacking.

Without attempting to be a mouthpiece for the Tinubu administration, it would not be hypocritical to point out a wide range of verifiable road infrastructure maintained by the President that cannot be easily ignored. This is even as many others, including the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway, have been crying out for federal government attention for years. Despite this, it is right to take note of the President’s efforts in the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway; the Sokoto-Badagry expressway which was conceived and abandoned over forty-five years ago by the Nigeria National Party-controlled government of President Shehu Shagari, but now revived by the Tinubu administration. Other roads this administration has paid attention to include the Kaduna-Abuja road, Kaduna-Zaria-Kano roads, Onitsha-Enugu roads, East-West road, Ibadan-Ilesa road and Sagamu-Ijebu Ode-Ore-Benin highway, which were also relaunched by the President. Despite the president’s efforts in taking care of road infrastructure, many of his critics still accuse him of various wrongdoings, including the removal of fuel subsidies, devaluation of the naira, foreign loans, insecurity and the constant electricity promised to Nigerians that is yet to be achieved. The President is indeed in trouble and most Nigerians are not sparing him by demanding a better deal under his leadership.

But isn’t all this enough to cause insomnia to the president of Nigeria like the Shakespearean king Henry IV? To address the pain associated with the president’s reforms without justifying it, as long as it is properly managed by himself and his team of appointees, there is a reference to one of my favorite quotes with anonymous attribution which states: “Impact does not come without sacrifice. Growth does not come without wounds.” This column does not in any way attempt to defend the president in an illusory way because he has men paid to do so. But where appropriate as a commentator, one must be objectively realistic without ignoring the avoidable painful sacrifices Nigerians are facing while those in government continue to live in affluence.

The criticism heaped on the president from socio-economic fronts is enormous, which gives room for reflections on how the president dealt with the situation. Now that election season is upon us, this must have further added to the avalanche of issues captivating his presidential attention. The intrigues and enormous pressure of political parties and candidate selections for the 2027 general elections remain something the president should reflect on. Although I sincerely do not know other states, the unbearable pressure of who will become governor in the southwestern states where elections will be held in 2027 is already falling on the president’s shoulders. It’s not that this is anything new for the president, it’s just that when the weight of presidential duties is added to this, it automatically becomes more burdensome for the president. However, it cannot afford to make or support bad choices in its own political backyard, as this could have serious political consequences. God willing, he enters his second and final term as President of Nigeria.

In his engagements this election season, Asiwaju must be more careful not to give power to the wrong people. He cannot afford to get it wrong in this critical period as he approaches his final re-election term to complete his eight years in office. He must ensure that those who win around him are genuinely sincere people who would not easily turn against him tomorrow. He must avoid emotional feelings and be more realistic and empirical in making critical decisions, moving forward. When he wins his second term, it is not unlikely that, less than three years into his term, most of those around him and his family will begin to see him as a lame duck president, looking elsewhere to further butter his bread.

God willing, 2031 is crucial in determining what Asiwaju’s legacy will look like. He must beware of traitorous associates who have improperly peddled his name and influence to secure positions. History is full of such leading companies from time immemorial. But now he must be more careful about his survival than ever. He should not lower his guard for anyone because Julius Caesar was assassinated by trusted allies like Brutus and Roman senators who broke a bond of deep trust to “save the republic” from his growing power. Furthermore, Stalin orchestrated the isolation, exile, and eventual assassination of Leon Trotsky, his fellow Bolshevik leader after Lenin’s death. Hitler betrayed Stalin when he violated the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939 by launching Operation Barbarossa and subsequently leading a surprise invasion of the Soviet Union. In Africa, Patrice Lumumba’s close allies handed him over to his assassins. The same goes for Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, whose close friend, Blaise Campaore, masterminded his assassination. There are so many Brutus, Campaore and Stalin among those who deceptively celebrate Asiwaju today. Now he must be extremely careful because not all songs of praise are praiseworthy.

My prayer: May Asiwaju not be consumed by the weight of the presidential office and the servile murmurs of the coterie of suitors who are around and far from him. Eternal vigilance and divine guidance are non-negotiable ingredients that he must imbibe in this period of his leadership in the South West as his ancestral homeland, and Nigeria at large.

■ Sanusi, former MD/CEO of Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, is currently Managing Partner of AMS RELIABLE SOLICITORS. (sms/whatsapp-07011117777).

Related