The Burden of Choosing True Leaders

By Okoi Obono-Obla

The Burden of Choosing True Leaders:

Election season has come again, and we the people must shine our eyes and not allow anyone—no matter how smooth‑talking—to pull the wool over our eyes or bamboozle us with grandiose promises or lavish gifts such as cars or money. These would surely turn out to be Greek gifts, just like when the Greeks presented a wooden horse packed with armed soldiers to Troy in Greek mythology. The Trojans were excited and overwhelmed with joy, but their exhilaration quickly turned to despair when the soldiers emerged from the Trojan horse to deal a heavy blow.

We must discern and scrutinize the pedigree, background, and character of everyone who comes to sell themselves to us. Is the person a born or natural leader, an emergency leader, an opportunist, or a reluctant leader? Is he compassionate, kind, generous, God‑fearing, patriotic, and conscientious—or someone who will surround himself with cultists, demonic people, yes‑men, fawning sycophants, lackeys, stooges, or only his tribal kin? Is he a closet tribalist who will run a government of exclusion, or someone who will lead an inclusive administration, bearing in mind that Nigeria is a pluralistic society made up of people from different communities, ethnicities, and creeds?

We must elect someone who, upon coming into power, will not suddenly change and discard those who knew him—friends, neighbors, and allies—only to barricade himself in a cocoon, cutting off everyone except his newly found acolytes and cronies, ensconcing himself inside an abyss dug by them. Politics and biology intersect at every point. A good man will not change suddenly because of the aura, glamour, razzmatazz, perks, or paraphernalia of power. People only manifest who they truly are when they get into power. A good man will not turn clannish, tribal, or become a closet tribalist simply because he has suddenly come into authority. Such traits are either genetic or environmental, and power only reveals them.

Conclusion:
The responsibility rests on us, the people, to choose wisely. Leadership is not about gifts, promises, or appearances—it is about character, integrity, and inclusiveness. If we fail to scrutinize, we risk being deceived by Trojan horses once again. Let us elect leaders who embody compassion, patriotism, and fairness, and who will unite rather than divide our pluralistic society.