Politics

BUHARI’S CONSENSUS CANDIDATE: THE BLIND MAN’S BUFF

Published

4 years ago

June 10, 2022

News Net Global

BUHARI’S CONSENSUS CANDIDATE: THE BLIND MAN’S BUFF

BY CHRIS GYANG

Nothing rattles Mr. President. That is, the way the leader of a country that has fulfilled all the undignified requirements of a failed state naturally should.

Confronted with relatively less problems, leaders of other democracies, even dictatorships, have been known to quake, but gather themselves up and trudge on. But not Mr. Buhari. He appears to have crumbled a long time ago from the sheer weight of the responsibilities of governance.

Even the uptick in kidnappings for ransom, armed banditry, Fulani herdsmen’s violent land-grabbing in parts of the Middle Belt, Islamist terrorism, mind-bugling corruption in the corridors of his administration and run-away inflation, among others, do not shake our president no more. Afterall, these are the frightening outcomes of his lethargic, laid-back, leadership style.

Quite instructively, in April this year, a prestigious Scottish university shared the picture of President Buhari on twitter reclining comfortably on a settee at the presidential palace picking his teeth, obviously after a sumptuous meal. This is in stark contrast with the poverty, hunger and general state of discontent ravaging ordinary Nigerians. According to the institution, the picture was used to illustrate bad and insensitive leadership. They accurately hit the bull’s eye.

That twitter representation of our president also captured the very essence of the man and his leadership style in a country buffeted on all sides by monstrous problems, most of them caused by a leadership deficit. But even before then, because the president had continued to show an almost complete lack of interest in the burning problems threatening to over-run the country, there was a time it was widely believed that the man in Aso Rock was Buhari’s body double, a foreign impostor from Sudan known as ‘Jubril.’

Many Nigerians could not rationalize how a true national leader could display such crass ambivalence to the tempests tottering the ship of state. And although the conspiracy theory that it was Jubril of Sudan and not the ‘original’ Buhari who gave the plagiarized “I am for no one but for everyone” speech that was at the Villa was later proved wrong, Mr. Buhari has remained as aloof and absent-minded as ever.

Many other Nigerians who claimed he had dementia still hold on to that belief and cite Mr. Buhari’s tepid responses to the killings, abductions for ransom, armed banditry, armed herdsmen’s attacks, etc, as glaring examples.

But there is still a very notable exception to these. Matters of partisan politics, wielding and dispensing power (with large doses of nepotism) and choosing his own successor, excite Mr. President in no small measure. To Buhari and the core northern political, religious and feudal establishments, political power is an end in itself. They proudly call it MULKI up north and hanker after it with uncommon zeal.

For them, controlling the levers of the Federal Government is sufficient, even if large swathes of their own states are in the hands of terrorists, bandits and other well-armed gangs. For them, it is enough to be president even if your region holds the ignoble record of having the largest number of poor people and out of school children in the country, not to mention their concomitant consequences.

Unfortunately, it is these and such other beliefs that have underpinned Buhari’s administration in the last seven years. And it is on that basis that he wishes to impose another northerner on the country during his APC’s presidential convention.

It is so frightening that President Buhari’s misplaced but growing sense of entitlement, self-accomplishment and self-worth make him feel that he should be allowed by the ruling APC to single-handedly determine its presidential candidate in next year’s election. Apparently, he wants to perpetuate this sweltering nightmare, state of anomy, that has become Nigeria’s new normal since he assumed power in 2015.

In a meeting with APC governors on May 31, 2022, President Buhari spelt out his demand in no uncertain terms. DAILY TRUST newspaper (June 1, 2023) captured it this way: “President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday dropped a bombshell when he told the governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to allow him to make a choice for his successor.”

According to the tabloid, the governors were taken aback because they had expected the president to allow them choose one of them to succeed him. But the president’s demand should not have come as a surprise to the governors because there appears to have been an understanding between them and the president on this matter. Thus, he reminded them that the Party had already put in place smooth succession plans at the local government, state and national levels.

“For example,” Mr. Buhari explained, “first term governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election. Similarly, second term governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.”

Aggrieved Party members in states such as Plateau who felt that their second-term governors unjustly imposed their successors in the recent primary elections now know that they did so with the tacit backing of Aso Rock. The pact was that the governors would also bend over backwards to serve the interest of Mr. President when it comes to choosing his own successor.

So if such APC members had had any hopes of extracting justice through the intervention of Mr. Buhari or their Party’s national leadership, they should kiss that hope goodbye.

Now the president wants his pound of flesh from the state governors. He is telling them that, in the spirit of give and take, they should also allow him choose the presidential candidate of the APC. During that meeting with the governors, he proceeded to pontificate about the values of democracy and the goals and benefits of good governance in a way that completely belied his democratic credentials and the way he has misled the country so far.

Hear him: “In a few days, the party will be holding its convention during which primaries would take place to pick the presidential flag bearer for the 2023 General Elections. This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.

“As we approach the Convention, I appeal to all of you to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens and the global community. Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.” Mere platitudes, as usual.

Also Read: Kashim Shettima: Victory at the end

The president even emphasized the need to meet the expectations of the global community as if he had made any spirited attempts in his seven years in office to effectively leverage on the strategic position and immense human and natural resources of the country to make it a key global player.

With an intractable Islamist rebellion and armed Fulani herdsmen’s expansionism going on almost unabated, the Buhari administration has consistently shown the international community that it lacks the moral courage and political will to put a stop to these and other forms of bloody criminality that have become the order of the day all over the country. As a result, most of the global community has now adopted a stand-and-watch attitude towards Nigeria as it goes about its half-hearted motions of battling insecurity.

It is a continuation of this that the president wants the APC to allow him perpetuate by choosing a northern candidate to succeed him. No doubt, the feeling that he wants to impose a northern candidate on the APC has caused great disquite in the ranks of the party and frayed a lot of nerves. Apparently, now that it suits their whims, power shift and zoning may as well go to the dogs. But once upon a time, in fact only about eight years ago, Buhari and the core north tightly held on to these principles with religious zeal and threatened to upset the political apple cart if they were not strictly upheld. And they had their way because good reason prevailed.

The outbursts of the National Leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on June 2, 2022, at Abeokuta, Ogun State, clearly underscored this growing tension, dissatisfaction and suspicion both within the APC and the polity generally, considering the fact that it is this political party that is in charge of running the affairs of the country.

In obvious response to Buhari’s shinanigans, an apparently frustrated Tinubu declared: “If not me that led the war front, Buhari wouldn’t have emerged. He contested first, second and third times, but lost. He even said on television that he won’t contest again.

“But I went to his home in Katsina. I told him you would contest and win, but you won’t joke with the matters of the Yorubas. Since he has emerged, I have not been appointed minister. I didn’t get contract. This time, it’s Yoruba turn and in Yorubaland, it’s my tenure.”

In the last few days, there have been strong indications that the president may very likely cave in to pressure from the cabal in the Presidency, chiefly made up of his relatives and a few high-ranking officials in his government, and select between the Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (an ultra-conservative core northerner) and former Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Yarima (the man who first introduced Sharia as state law while he was governor) as the APC’s consensus presidential candidate. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anger must have been fueled by these widespread speculations which are gradually gaining traction.

But in a swift response, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawan, lashed out at Tinubu’s grandstanding, describing it as ‘bulshit’ (sic). Now, it’s significant to note that this is coming from a man who is one of Tinubu’s closest political allies. In fact, he was among the heavyweights that purchased the APC Presidential nomination form for Tinubu and has been a leading force in his campaign to be President in 2023.

But Lawan, a self-professed northerner, appears to have sided with the core north and Mr. Buhari against his political ally. And his vituperations would further reveal the deep-seated suspicion the core north has harboured against the Yoruba, spanning decades. VANGUARD newspaper quoted him as saying: “Sometimes it is very difficult to support a Yoruba person in national politics if you are not one.

“They have a way of making you regret your support because they eventually make you seem like a traitor to your own people. Now all these comments about Bola’s Yoruba presidency and his support of Buhari without which Buhari would not have been President is bulshit.”

He pointed out that there were many other Nigerians from other parts of the country who also contributed in making Mr. Buhari President but were “not bragging about it” and expressed regret that “You may wish to know that all of us Buhari supporters are shocked and pissed off by Bola’s speech on this occasion. It is unlike him.

“And this speech is massively trending in the North and being given a negative connotation as you can well imagine. I first read it this morning on an Adamawa group platform and the anger is palpable and all round.”

Certainly, the fact that Buhari wishes to single-handedly select the APC Presidential candidate is creating big cracks in the APC as old comrades tear each other to shreds, egged on by their deep ethnic and regional cleavages. These have now been exposed by the stress of this brutal struggle for the APC Presidential ticket. But Babachir Lawan is not yet done. He must remind the Yoruba and other Nigerians about one of Bola Tinubu’s tribesmen whose stars, he believes, were dimmed by similar attitudes.

“This appears to be the Abiola saga,” he said, “being replayed. Abiola won the election with majority Northern votes but they took the brunt of the post-election protests that followed.

“Just survey all the people that are doing more meaningful practical things to enthron (sic) Bola as President and you will find that almost all are northerners while his kinsmen engage themselves in social media activism and Northern bashing.

“When Yorubas vilify the North like this, our sense of fear and insecurity under a Yoruba presidency gets heightened and in the end, pushes us to re-think our support for not only Bola but any Yoruba as President for that matter.”

But he concluded on this rather conciliatory note: “Please, do not join our opponents to destroy our chances of clinching Monday’s primary elections.”

Nevertheless, Buhari’s consensus candidate gambit has already done irreparable damage to the APC. It can only get worse and may well be the last straw that will break this camel’s back. Buhari is taking a dangerous shot in the dark.

He is blindly groping in the dark, like he has done with the destiny of Nigerians and their motherland in the last seven years, with these catastrophic consequences. In this highly risky blind man’s buff game he is playing, the odds are dangerously high. He may just lay his hands on the wrong person. And things will definitely fall apart.

(GYANG is the Chairman of the N.G.O, Journalists Coalition for Citizens’ Rights Initiative – JCCRI. Visit our website: https://jccri-online.org. Follow us on our Twitter handle: @jccri1. Facebook

page: facebook.com/jccrionline. Emails: info@jccrionline.org; chrisgyang01@gmail.com)

BUHARI’S CONSENSUS CANDIDATE: THE BLIND MAN’S BUFF

Politics

Yobe 2027: Consensus, G-Six, and the Crucible of Direct Primaries

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

News Net Global

Governor Mai Mala Buni

Yobe 2027: Consensus, G-Six, and the Crucible of Direct Primaries

By: Dr. James Bwala

The political landscape in Yobe State is presently a microcosm of the broader democratic challenges Nigeria faces. As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its gubernatorial primaries slated for May 23, 2027, tensions and divisions within the party have laid bare the complexities of internal party democracy. Central to this unfolding drama is the interplay between the principle of consensus, the influential G-six faction, and the imminent test of direct primaries. The recent intervention of Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, which culminated in Alhaji Lawan Kolo Geidam stepping down for the party’s anointed candidate Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, marked a pivotal moment. Yet, beneath this surface reconciliation lies a fraught path that could significantly influence not only the immediate future of Yobe politics but also the democratic ethos of the APC as a whole.

At the heart of the Yobe episode is the practice of consensus candidates, a mechanism often employed by Nigerian political parties to present united fronts during elections. Proponents argue that consensus preempts protracted primary battles, preserves party unity, and channels resources toward winning general elections. In Yobe, Mala Buni’s endorsement of Baba Malam Wali as the consensus candidate was intended to consolidate the APC’s strength and sideline factional rifts. However, the arrival of the G-six, a formidable bloc that includes stalwarts such as Alhaji Lawan Kolo Geidam and is backed by other significant figures like Senator Muhammed Bomai, Hon. Bashir Sheriff Machina, former IGP Usman Alkali Baba, and business mogul Kashim Musa Tumsa, contested this top-down approach. Their resistance underscored a growing restiveness against predetermined candidacies perceived as exclusionary or undemocratic.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-the-dynamics-of-consensus-candidates-and-the-crisis-of-succession-in-nigerias-democratic-party-politics/

This tension spotlights a crucial debate in Nigerian party politics: does consensus undermine or enhance democracy? Critics of consensus argue that it often amounts to imposed candidacies, which stifle intra-party competition and disenfranchise grassroots members who seek genuine participation through voting. This critique holds substantive weight, especially in a polity where internal democracy remains nascent, and many party decisions are heavily influenced by kingmakers or political godfathers rather than transparent processes. On the other hand, given Nigeria’s often fractious and ethnically charged political environment, consensus is sometimes defended as a pragmatic tool for avoiding bitter contests that can fracture party cohesiveness and harm electoral chances.

In Yobe’s context, the G-six’s initial refusal to accept the consensus candidate, culminating in the last-minute withdrawal of Lawan Kolo Geidam after Vice President Shettima’s peace intervention, embodies the high stakes and emotional entanglements involved. The VP’s role in mediating the dispute was critical; his call for peace and collective support symbolized the necessity of compromise in the intricate dance of Nigerian politics. It also affirmed the reality that behind factional disagreements lie broader strategic interests, including the desire to present a united front against opposition parties in the general elections. Nonetheless, this peace is uneasy and fragile, as evidenced by lingering frustrations from supporters of other aspirants like Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, IGP Usman Alkali Baba (RTD), Senator Muhammed Bomai, Hon. Machina, and Kashim Musa Tulsa, whose exclusion from the anointed consensus stirs sentiments of betrayal.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-the-dynamics-of-consensus-candidates-and-the-crisis-of-succession-in-nigerias-democratic-party-politics/

The impending direct primaries scheduled for May 23 now stand as a critical litmus test for the APC in Yobe. Unlike consensus, direct primaries offer an avenue for party members at all levels to exercise their franchise openly, potentially reinvigorating democratic norms within the party. If conducted transparently and fairly, the primaries could serve as an opportunity to heal divisions by granting legitimacy to the selected candidate, whether it remains the consensus choice or surfaces from the ranks of contesting aspirants. Moreover, it aligns with democratic ideals where leaders emerge through participatory mechanisms rather than prearranged accords. Such a process could also recalibrate power dynamics within the APC, empowering grassroots actors and ensuring accountability.

However, the primaries could equally exacerbate existing fissures if marred by manipulation or violence, thus deepening mistrust among competing camps. The risk of rancor and post-primary agitations is significant given the emotional investment of various supporter groups. For Governor Mai Mala Buni, whose political capital and future influence in Yobe heavily depend on the outcome and spirit of the primaries, this is a defining moment. Should the process be seen as credible and inclusive, it will enhance his standing as a unifying figure championing democratic values. Conversely, perceptions of imposition or electoral malpractice could erode his legitimacy and weaken his leadership not just within Yobe, but more broadly within the APC’s national framework.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-the-dynamics-of-consensus-candidates-and-the-crisis-of-succession-in-nigerias-democratic-party-politics/

Beyond the immediate political calculus, the Yobe experience offers instructive lessons for Nigerian democracy. The oscillation between consensus and direct primaries reflects tensions inherent in balancing party unity with democratic participation. While consensus may sometimes be expedient, it should not become a veil for autocratic decision-making that disenfranchises party members. Conversely, direct primaries, while aspirationally democratic, demand rigorous safeguards against abuse to fulfill their promise. The integrity of these processes and the willingness of party leaders to embrace transparency ultimately determine whether democracy is deepened or diluted.

To navigate these challenges effectively, the APC and other parties must institutionalize internal democracy by codifying transparent rules that govern consensus arrangements and primary elections. Political stakeholders, including influential figures like Governor Buni, bear responsibility to model democratic conduct, promote inclusion, and respect dissenting voices. Additionally, civil society and electoral bodies should engage actively to monitor primaries and advocate for fairness, reinforcing public confidence in party processes.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/2027-the-dynamics-of-consensus-candidates-and-the-crisis-of-succession-in-nigerias-democratic-party-politics/

The saga of ‘Yobe 2027’ encapsulates a critical juncture for the APC and Nigerian politics at large. The convergence of consensus candidacy, the assertive G-six faction, and the pending direct primaries embodies the perennial struggle between entrenched political practices and the aspiration for genuine democracy. While the recent peace brokered by the vice president is commendable, it is the conduct and outcome of the May 3 primaries that will truly test the party’s commitment to democratic ideals.

The choices made in Yobe will resonate beyond state borders, shaping narratives around political inclusivity, leadership legitimacy, and democratic consolidation in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. For democracy to flourish, political actors must transcend narrow interests, embrace transparency, and commit to the principle that leadership derives from the will of the many, not the dictates of the few. Only then can Yobe’s political future—and indeed Nigeria’s—be assured of progress, stability, and genuine representation.

* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja

Yobe 2027: Consensus, G-Six, and the Crucible of Direct Primaries

Politics

2027: The Dynamics of Consensus Candidates and the Crisis of Succession in Nigeria’s Democratic Party Politics

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

News Net Global

2027: The Dynamics of Consensus Candidates and the Crisis of Succession in Nigeria’s Democratic Party Politics

By: Dr. James Bwala

The issue of successorship appointment within party ranks in contemporary Nigerian democracy has generated considerable debate among political stakeholders and members alike. Central to this discourse is the widespread practice of imposing consensus candidates—a phenomenon that ostensibly aims to project unity and avoid intra-party conflicts but, paradoxically, erodes the democratic foundation of political parties. Indeed, the consensus candidate approach, rather than fostering internal party democracy, serves as a malignant force undermining transparent political processes, suppressing genuine competition, and jeopardizing the future of Nigeria’s democratic governance. To preserve and deepen democracy in Nigeria, political parties must reject consensus impositions and recommit to authentic primaries that allow merit and popular choice to prevail.

At the heart of a healthy democratic system lies the principle of open and competitive elections, extending into the primaries that select party candidates. Primaries provide an institutionalized mechanism for party members to exercise their political rights by choosing leaders who best represent their values and aspirations. The competitive nature of primaries encourages accountability, policy debate, and grassroots mobilization—all indispensable elements in a vibrant democracy. However, in Nigeria, this crucial democratic practice is frequently circumvented through consensus candidacies, where powerful figures—often incumbent governors or party elites—dictate the choice of successors without proper consultation or vote by party members.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/shettimas-relentless-engagement-should-remind-nigerians-that-their-government-is-not-an-opaque-monolith-but-a-responsive-entity-committed-to-their-welfare/

This practice of imposing consensus candidates is deeply flawed for several reasons. Firstly, it fundamentally undermines intra-party democracy. When a candidate is chosen through a top-down arrangement rather than a transparent contest, members feel disenfranchised and disillusioned. The sense of ownership and participation that fuels political engagement dissipates, leading to decreased activism and voter apathy. Secondly, consensus candidates often emerge not on the basis of merit or popular appeal but due to patronage networks, financial inducements, and political bargaining aimed at preserving the status quo. This environment breeds mediocrity and stifles innovation within party structures, as leadership positions become rewards for loyalty rather than platforms for effective governance.

The entrenchment of consensus candidacies has pernicious effects beyond party dynamics. It aggravates corruption and rent-seeking behavior by creating a protected class of politicians who owe their allegiance primarily to power brokers rather than constituents. The “cancer” analogy aptly captures this phenomenon: consensus candidacies are symptomatic of deeper systemic malaise where democratic norms rot under the influence of greed and manipulation. Governors and influential party leaders who push through consensus arrangements often do so to shield themselves from accountability, blocking probes and critical scrutiny. By controlling their succession, they ensure continuity in corrupt practices and minimize threats to their entrenched interests.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/shettimas-relentless-engagement-should-remind-nigerians-that-their-government-is-not-an-opaque-monolith-but-a-responsive-entity-committed-to-their-welfare/

It is crucial to recognize that while consensus candidacies may appear expedient in the short term by avoiding visible factional disputes, their long-term consequences are detrimental. The absence of genuine electoral competition breeds political instability, as aggrieved aspirants and marginalized factions may resort to extra-legal means to assert their claims, including defections, violent confrontations, or undermining party cohesion during general elections. Furthermore, the public’s perception of political parties as undemocratic and self-serving institutions diminishes trust in the electoral process and discourages citizen participation.

A healthy democracy demands that political parties reflect the will and choice of the people, beginning with their internal selection processes. Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive if party leaderships continue to manipulate succession to serve narrow interests. Instead, parties should strive to institutionalize transparent, inclusive, and credible primaries where aspirants compete on a level playing field. This would entail establishing independent and impartial electoral committees within parties, enforcing strict adherence to democratic rules, and ensuring that party members have unfettered access to information and the opportunity to scrutinize candidates’ credentials.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/shettimas-relentless-engagement-should-remind-nigerians-that-their-government-is-not-an-opaque-monolith-but-a-responsive-entity-committed-to-their-welfare/

The role of external actors, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organizations, and the media, is equally vital. These stakeholders must intensify efforts to promote internal party democracy, monitor primary elections vigilantly, and expose irregularities when they occur. Legal frameworks governing party primaries should be strengthened to discourage autocratic tendencies and illicit practices, with clear sanctions for violations. Above all, political leaders must embrace the spirit of democracy by prioritizing national interest over personal or sectional gains.

The pervasive practice of appointing consensus candidates within political parties poses one of the most significant threats to the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria. While consensus might superficially symbolize harmony, it has largely become a covert mechanism that perpetuates exclusion, weakens democratic institutions, and entrenches corruption.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/shettimas-relentless-engagement-should-remind-nigerians-that-their-government-is-not-an-opaque-monolith-but-a-responsive-entity-committed-to-their-welfare/

To prevent Nigeria’s democracy from succumbing to this cancerous condition, political parties must return to the drawing board and recommit to genuine democratic processes grounded in free, fair, and competitive primaries. Only through such reforms can Nigeria build a resilient democracy where leadership succession reflects the collective will, nurtures accountability, and fosters good governance for the nation’s progress. Consensus candidates should never be the child of necessity.

* James Bwala, PhD, is a political commentator and writes from Abuja.

2027: The Dynamics of Consensus Candidates and the Crisis of Succession in Nigeria’s Democratic Party Politics

Politics

Shettima’s relentless engagement should remind Nigerians that their government is not an opaque monolith but a responsive entity committed to their welfare.

Published

6 days ago

May 9, 2026

News Net Global

VP Kashim Shettima

Shettima’s relentless engagement should remind Nigerians that their government is not an opaque monolith but a responsive entity committed to their welfare.

By: Dr. James Bwala

Recently, I was reading some comments about Vice President Kashim Shettima’s travels. While some of these comments are encouraging, others seem to have distanced themselves from the reality of what it means to be in a leadership position. Nigeria, with its over 200 million inhabitants spread across 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory, presents a multifaceted challenge to governance. The country’s ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity, combined with economic disparities and security concerns, necessitates a leadership approach that is both hands-on and deeply empathetic. Vice President Shettima’s extensive travels allow him to engage directly with various communities, understand their unique challenges, and foster a sense of inclusion and representation within the federal framework. This ground-level interaction cultivates trust between the government and its citizens, diminishing alienation and enhancing the legitimacy of governance structures.

Shettima’s tireless journey across Nigeria, traversing its vast length and breadth, stands as a compelling testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to forging a better future for all Nigerians. In an era where leadership is often critiqued for detachment and inefficiency, Shettima’s relentless engagement exemplifies the vital qualities of dedication, resilience, and visionary stewardship that a leader must embody to achieve meaningful progress. His continuous efforts are not merely symbolic gestures but tangible acts that reflect the innermost drive required to steer a diverse and complex nation toward unity, development, and prosperity.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/when-apcs-incumbency-appears-secure-ahead-of-2027/

The vice president’s visible presence across the country sends a powerful message about the government’s priorities. It signals that no region or group is overlooked; rather, there is a concerted effort to bridge gaps, address grievances, and promote equitable development. This approach contrasts sharply with a detached bureaucracy where policies might be formulated in isolation without adequate appreciation of local realities. By crisscrossing Nigeria, the vice president gathers firsthand insights that inform policy formulation, ensuring that interventions are contextually relevant and more likely to succeed. This dynamic feedback loop between leadership and the populace is critical in a democracy striving for responsiveness and accountability.

The personal toll on Vice President Shettima cannot be overstated. His demanding schedule, often described as exhausting, underscores the sacrifices inherent in leadership at the highest level. Yet, it is precisely this embodiment of relentless commitment that galvanizes governmental momentum and inspires confidence among Nigerians. Leadership, especially in a country as complex as Nigeria, demands an inner reservoir of strength—an indomitable spirit that persists amid fatigue, setbacks, and criticism. Shettima’s ability to continually summon this inner strength reflects his recognition that leadership is not a static position but an active, evolving process requiring constant energy, adaptability, and perseverance.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/when-apcs-incumbency-appears-secure-ahead-of-2027/

Shettima’s style also offers a profound lesson on the interplay between visibility and effectiveness. Too often, political leaders are perceived as distant figures whose decisions emerge from abstract corridors of power. But in contrast, Shettima’s approach breaks down these barriers, positioning the vice presidency as a proactive institution directly engaged with the citizenry. This hands-on leadership fosters a culture of transparency and humility, where listening becomes as important as directing. It reassures Nigerians that their government is not an opaque monolith but a responsive entity committed to their welfare.

In the broader context of Nigeria’s developmental trajectory, the vice president’s efforts align with national ambitions to enhance social cohesion, economic diversification, and infrastructural growth. The government’s push to create jobs, improve healthcare, reform education, and enhance security requires not only robust policies but also vigorous implementation supported by continuous dialogue with stakeholders at every level. Vice President Shettima’s extensive travels enable him to champion these initiatives directly, mobilizing local resources, encouraging public-private partnerships, and advocating for reforms that resonate with community needs and aspirations.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/when-apcs-incumbency-appears-secure-ahead-of-2027/

On a closer look, Shettima’s leadership embodies the essence of servant leadership—a philosophy where leaders prioritize the needs of their people above personal gain or political expediency. His visible exhaustion is not a sign of weakness but an expression of his willingness to share in the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. This empathetic connection builds social capital and reinforces the moral authority necessary for sustainable governance. As Nigeria grapples with issues such as poverty, insecurity, and infrastructural deficits, leadership that demonstrates genuine care and dedication can serve as a unifying force capable of transcending divisive politics and fostering national reconciliation.

Critics might argue that frequent travel and public engagements risk superficiality, suggesting that real change is achieved through policy details and systemic reforms rather than charismatic presence. While policy substance is undeniably critical, the importance of leadership presence should not be underestimated, especially in a federal system where trust and cooperation among diverse regions are indispensable. Vice President Shettima’s approach does not replace rigorous policy work; rather, it complements it by ensuring that policies are grounded in lived experiences and receive the support necessary for effective implementation.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/when-apcs-incumbency-appears-secure-ahead-of-2027/

The rigorous schedule adopted by the vice president sets a benchmark for other leaders in the country, encouraging a culture of diligence and accountability within the government. It raises expectations around active leadership and discourages complacency. When the nation’s second-in-command is seen investing considerable personal effort into understanding and addressing grassroots issues, it elevates the standards for public service and nurtures a political environment oriented toward active problem-solving rather than mere rhetoric.

Some critical-minded Nigerians need to see that Shettima’s continuous crisscrossing of Nigeria is emblematic of a government genuinely invested in building a better nation. His physical journey across diverse terrains mirrors a deeper journey of commitment, resilience, and visionary leadership essential for navigating Nigeria’s complexities. Despite the evident exhaustion, his indefatigable spirit personifies the qualities required to lead effectively in challenging circumstances. Through direct engagement, empathetic governance, and steadfast dedication, Shettima contributes significantly to fostering national unity, promoting inclusive development, and inspiring confidence in Nigeria’s future. His example is a clarion call for leadership that is not only seen and heard but felt profoundly across every corner of the nation, driving collective progress for the greater good.

* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

Shettima’s relentless engagement should remind Nigerians that their government is not an opaque monolith but a responsive entity committed to their welfare.