Leading others has an end time… by Agba Jalingo

Leadership is not a forever task.

Any leader that wants to lead forever doesn’t have a target and does not represent the interest of the people. Real leaders go into the positions they seek, deliver their promises and exit.

Real leaders do not recycle themselves. They groom others to replace them when they leave the scene.

They do not seek to obliterate the aspirations of novel entrants.

Those who seek to remain in public office perpetually are not seeking public good.

They are seeking personal aggrandizement and endless opportunities to pilfer public wealth. There is a reason political offices have terms.

Even traditional rulers, who are supposed to lead till death, abdicate their authority when they feel their roles have been accomplished.

You couldn’t have been a senator for four years, become governor for eight years and still think you are the only one available and want to return to the senate as retirement. Statesmanship requires more elegance and panache.

That has been happening in other parts of Nigeria, not in Cross River State.

I am trying to imagine former governors Ebri, Duke or Imoke returning to run for senatorial seats in Cross River state.

It will be a big shame to them. Even if it is boredom, governor Imoke for instance is actively running the Bridge Leadership Foundation and building young leaders and mingling.

Duke is even more popular amongst young Cross Riverians in retirement than when he was governor. Governor Ebri is silently working from behind the scenes. What exactly does former Governor Ayade want?

Is he bored at home? Then he should get busy with his teaching work again. Even if he claims he wants to go and serve, you do not serve people in perpetuity. Hunger for the perquisites that public office confers is ephemeral and cannot be termed ‘service.’ The earlier that is realized the better for personal sanity. There is even more honor in grooming others after leaving office than perpetually fouling the air with seeking to return.

It is a true test of character to be able to resist the temptation to perpetually control others and control public resources. Watching from the sidelines when the klieg lights have left you is very difficult but it is possible. Be mindful of cheering dependants and hangers on, who urge you on the path to Golgotha. Their pseudo panegyrics are usually veiled with hypocrisy. For they speak with twisted tongues while their hearts mock you.

If the cosmic has been gracious to you like it has, pay back by sitting back and watching others play in the arena.

You are certainly not the best man available. No one is the perpetual best. Best men are only found in weddings, not in public office.

There are even young people in their thirties, with brighter ideas, who want to become senators too. Don’t stifle their dreams.

These are my thoughts this morning for my former Governor, Ben (no one knows tomorrow) Ayade.

Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo.

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