Rule of law critical to good leadership – President Yar’Adua
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Oct 26, 2007, 16:19

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has identified respect to the rule of law, democratic culture, corruption and planning as factors posing critical challenges to leadership at all levels in Nigeria.

The President who stated this in his address while declaring open the 1st Governors’ Retreat, organised by the Governors’ Forum on Friday October 26 in Abuja, noted that realising vision 2020 which entails transforming the nation to a developed society, demands total mobilisation of the people which the leadership has to provide.

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He said that a critical challenge in leadership, which is a guarantee for law and order, is the respect for the rule of law, which provides for individual’s rights and duties. “No one is above the law,” he noted. He expressed optimism that with respect for the rule of law, a lot of problems corruption inclusive, would be solved stressing that; abuse of public trust is a product of disrespect for the rule of law.

The development of the right political culture is another major challenge of leadership enunciated by President Yar’Adua. He noted that his administration’s effort at reforming the electoral process to achieve at least a minimally acceptable global standard, which can be developed upon, is aimed at developing a good democratic culture.

Tracing the roots of political antagonism, the President noted that the culture of opposition evolved from the era of the nationalist struggle against colonial rule. This he said did not abate even after independence, which possibly explains the refusal of opposition parties to see anything good in the ruling except to bring it down.

He noted that his administration’s invitation to other political parties was to develop the spirit of working together in national interest. He cited the challenges in the Niger Delta as one, which needs the cooperation of all.

Corruption according to the President is another challenge to leadership. Relating corruption to cancer, which destroys a system, he said that a good leadership is necessary to contain it. He noted that public opinion, conduct and prosecutions of the former governors by various anti corruption agencies has eroded the credibility of governors and challenged the Governors to redress the situation by setting good examples and transparency in conduct.

He expressed regrets that today most Nigerians do not trust their leaders, whereas no society where leadership is destroyed can make progress. Steps and measures must therefore be taken to put in place mechanisms and personal exemplary conduct to regain public trust.

The President also identified lack of proper planning as a major challenge to leadership. He noted that there could be no justification for spending public funds outside budgetary provisions, adding, “no one has a right to spend outside budget”. To achieve vision 2020 he stated, there must be a national plan, which must evolve between federal and state governments, private sector and all stakeholders adding that for the accomplishment of the vision the plan is to be tabled before the National Economic Council.

He disclosed that each geopolitical zone would have a master plan similar to the Niger Delta Development Master Plan to be subsumed into the national master plan. He also gave examples of National liquified Natural Gas Master Plan and the National Integrated Power Project which government is currently working on its framework to attract massive investment from the private sector, noting that all of them will be integrated into the master plan.

He urged the Governors to develop credible electoral process to ensure credible elections at the local government level noting that service is an opportunity which will come to pass and that the only legacy they can leave is what ever they do to earn honour to themselves and their families

President Yar’Adua while formally declaring the retreat open, thanked the organisers for the opportunity provided by the retreat which gives hope that Governors are now determined for good governance to which he pledge his support. He prayed for God’s guidance and protection to safeguard them from going astray.

Three former Heads of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, General Yakubu Gowon and Chief Ernest Shonekan attended the retreat.

In his opening remarks, General Abubakar who chaired the first opening sessions spoke on the challenges facing the country such as education, healthcare, security of lives and property as well as the credibility of the Nigerian electoral system.

He advised all elected representatives especially governors to proffer solutions to issues of revenue allocation and good governance.

In his welcome address, chairman of Governors’ forum, Dr Bukola Saraki of Kwara state said the retreat became necessary because of the enormous responsibility on the second tier of government which the states’ chief executives oversee.

Dr Saraki spoke on the challenge of credibility faced by some state governors in the last dispensation.

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