By Isaac Asabor
There is no denying the fact that not a few political observers across in the country and in the diaspora are today disappointed over the poor leadership quality that has been prevailing in the country since 1999 when democratic system of government was adopted to entrench good governance. In fact, it is more disappointing when the fact is realized that there was an era when it was being referred to as “The giant of Africa” by virtue of its rich endowments in all ramifications of the economy.
Paradoxically, there is every evidence to demonstrate the fact that Nigeria has become the opposite of what it used to be known in the era when it prided itself as the “Giant of Africa”.
Given the foregoing worsening leadership situation that has been prevailing since 1999 when the country transitioned to democracy, only few Nigerians are satisfied with the state of affairs as evidence abounds that not few Nigerians are dissatisfied with the way governments; across all tiers, have been working in the country.
In fact, at the moment many Nigerians are skeptical about the country’s political and judicial systems, even as the prevailing sentiment suggests that the political leaders; from the local government level to the federal level do not care about what ordinary people think about them, as majority believes that no matter who wins an election, things do not change very much for people.
Also contributing to the widening trust gap between the people and the political leaders is the inability of political leaders to bridge the expansive chasm and mutual suspicion between Christians and Moslems in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern parts of the country.
In fact, most Nigerians do not believe that the government since 1999 has been fair and sincere, particularly when analyzed from the perspective of the wellbeing of Nigerians and the development of the country. Little wonder the collective attitude of Nigerians towards the government cannot be said to be mawkish but realistic. To most Nigerians, the government does not exist for them, but for the privileged few. This psychological perception which the people holds against governments across all tiers and their policies stems from a culture of mistrust built over decades. But how has this relationship with our leaders descended this low?
Without doubt, the foregoing view was ostensibly buttressed on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, when the federal government lamented that Nigerians do not believe in the leaders they elect and in the concept of nationhood, necessitating the reintroduction of national discourse on reorientation.
The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the disclosure at a media parley after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja.
He observed that the belief in the concept of nationhood and patriotism has broken down, saying that the president has now given him the marching orders to initiate a programme to reconstruct it.
He said: “Well, of course, you know, that the belief in the concept of nationhood and patriotism has broken down in this country. This is not in doubt. We’re trying to rebuild that, to reconstruct that.
“Mr President, give me a marching order to see Nigerians believe in this country again. We’re coming up with a national discourse on orientation or reorientation so that Nigerians can believe in their country.
“You know that people don’t even believe leaders that they themselves have elected. Flags are not flying anymore. You go to the government overseas, you don’t even see the symbol of our collective existence flying even in public buildings.
“We’re bringing that about, we are bringing back this concept of discipline that Nigerians should have. Patriotism. Belief in the nationhood that our founding fathers have told us.
“So it is going to be a new minister of Information and national orientation, and national orientation is going to be at the center of it.”
The minister revealed that plans are underway to revive the information office in the 774 local government areas in the country to have the required personnel to implement the new reorientation drive.
“Well, the national orientation agency has offices in the 774 LGAs. Of course, there’s attrition now, not all the people that will man these local government offices are there, but we are rebuilding that. We are going to put officers of the envoy around all the 774 LGAs, and we are coming up with a roadmap that will revamp that sector so that Nigerians can believe in their country once again,” he said.
Idris assured that the Tinubu administration will not seek to gag the media, being a believer in freedom of the press himself, but warned that the media must exercise such freedom with responsibility.
While recalling that the government had noted the suggestion by the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) on registering journalists as a way to sanitize the profession, he said: “Well, that is being looked at. You know that Mr President believes in press freedom. He believes in the freedom of expression, and he’s not going to gag the press in any way, shape or form. He’s going to work assiduously to ensure that the Nigerian press that has been free is even freer. Yeah.
“But like I said all the time. This freedom also comes with enormous responsibility. You can’t just say what is not right, because you’re enjoying press freedom. There’ll be freedom. But is that responsible freedom.”
In the light of the minister’s disclosure or rather lamentation, it is expedient to urge the government not to relent in putting proactive and preventive steps in place to restore trust between the governments across all tiers and the people in business, and civic institutions, or societies around the country.
The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as there is plummeting public trust that is sweeping across the country. It is infecting relations among people, between people and the governments across all tiers, and between people and a range of societal institutions. In fact, the obviousness of the erosion of trust in social media and domestic politics, in our communities, and even at our dinner tables is crystal clear, it is not opaque. Distrust infuses public rhetoric and political debates, obstructing action in the public interest. Together, this snowballing distrust is eroding the capacity of social institutions to function and serve the people they are set to serve. And if researchers are correct that trust is easier to destroy than construct, the consequences of today’s trust deficit could haunt societies around the country for many years to come.
In deepening the social trust which the people have for or against the government, it is expedient to recommend in this context that six critical paths should be followed.
First and foremost, the government should ensure that institutions are effective and deliver real benefits for people, develop future leaders who work for the greater good, not for themselves, strengthen accountability and transparency, engage citizens in solving community and societal challenges, strengthen social inclusion and establish real commitment in governance.
Against the backdrop of the foregoing steps, it is germane to opine that results toward the deepening of social trust in government cannot be achieved unless both elected and appointed political leaders under Tinubu-led administration collectively make a sincere effort to acknowledge the problem of social trust, and to take steps to improve their policies, practices, and rhetoric.
