Nigerians Gamble with Leadership Selection, Says Ekiti Governor Oyebanji

Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has expressed concern over Nigeria’s leadership challenges, attributing the problem to the electorate’s focus on ethnoreligious and geopolitical factors. He emphasized that the country often gambles with leadership selection through what he termed a “trial and error system.”

Speaking at the 11th annual public lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, held at the church’s headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, Oyebanji, who served as the event’s Chairman, highlighted the impact of unqualified leadership on the nation’s progress. The lecture, titled “Leadership in Nigeria and Its Impact on the Next Generation,” provided a platform for Oyebanji to share his insights.

“There’s no question that leadership recruitment in Nigeria is flawed,” Oyebanji remarked. “Too often, individuals find themselves in leadership positions without the necessary aptitude or attitude to govern effectively.”

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He went on to point out that Nigerians frequently select leaders based on superficial qualities, ranging from geopolitics to religious preferences, rather than focusing on merit and capability. “We sometimes seek folk heroes or messiahs, while other times, we choose leaders simply because of their background or privilege, not because of their qualifications.”

Governor Oyebanji also underscored the importance of identifying leaders who have been adequately trained, tested, and equipped with the skills and innate abilities required to lead the nation.