..…as group commends organisers, sets agenda
As the September 21st governorship election in Edo State inches closer, the National Association of Edo State Indigenes has shown concern over the manner and process of leadership recruitment in the state.
The association says it has put together a symposium with the theme: Leadership Recruitment Process in Nigeria: Edo State Imperative.
The event, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow at the National Merit Award House in Abuja, will feature the three major contending candidates as guest speakers. They are Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olumide Akpata Osaigbovo Esq, candidate of the Labour Party, and Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The Special Guests of Honour are all members of the National Assembly from Edo State, except for Senator Monday Okpebholo, who is a guest speaker at the event. They are Sen. Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, Sen. Bernard Neda Imasuen, Hon. Omoruyi Murphy Osaro, Hon. Henry Okojie Odianosen, Hon. Dr. Billy Osawaru, Hon. Iyawe Esosa, Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Hon. Dekeri Sunday Anemero, Rt. Hon. Akpatason Deacon, and Festus Osage Osaigbovo.
The keynote speaker is Barr. Collins Aimuan, General Secretary of the Private University Owners Association of Nigeria and Founder of Phillomat University, Abuja.
However, the Country Director of the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, Mr. John Mayaki, has expressed worries over the manner in which political parties recruit leadership for the country and the regional governments, saying the process is too random.
Mayaki said, “There’s this window of constant renewal and recruitment of our leaders every four years, but there is nothing to suggest that the general direction of movement is towards improvement in the quality of our leaders and the citizenry.
“There is no doubt that we have had many good leaders in the different arms of government and at the sub-regional levels – unfortunately, we have had many more bad leaders. Funny enough, whenever we have good leaders, it is by luck, and that’s not a good factor for leadership recruitment.
“Indeed, a number of credible persons are put off by the process, particularly the party primaries. In many of the major political parties, it is becoming increasingly difficult for a candidate without substantial resources, or a major sponsor among the party chieftains, to win. This is an area that our political class will need to address.
“We must find a way of improving the party primaries process to encourage our best and brightest to take part in the process, including those with limited resources – although events have overtaken that because we are already heading towards a make-or-mar election. In this election, we must head-hunt the best among the candidates to lead us if we must get it right.
“I suggest that leaders must be subjected to a rigorous interview test, screening, and scrutiny before being given the mandate to lead, especially in an enlightened population like we have in Edo State. I commend the organizers of this symposium for a thoughtful and provoking theme at a time when Edo State needs to get it right.
“I think political parties must consider this as a matter of priority because, in the long run, we can only sustain our democracy if we can find a way to ensure a continuous inflow of talented people from which we elect our leaders”, Mayaki said.
