Senator Ali Ndume has said Nigerians must accept some responsibility for the country’s leadership issues.
The Borno South senator made the comment on Wednesday, September 16. He spoke at the launch of Military Transformational Leadership in Action: The Buratai Era. The event took place at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Asokoro, Abuja.
Ndume was responding to comments by former Central Bank governor and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. Sanusi had criticised politicians over the use of ethnicity and religion in politics. He also linked these issues to Nigeria’s security and governance challenges.
However, Ndume argued that citizens also play a major role in choosing political leaders. According to him, politicians emerge from the same society they govern.
“Every blame is on the politician. And I’m a politician, though accidental, or maybe, forced or recruited into it. But I’m a realist,” Ndume said.
He added that democracy gives citizens a role in deciding who leads them.
“From all discussions, now the blame goes down to us, and we are your product,” he said.
Ndume also addressed claims that some leaders emerge through rigging. The senator argued that citizens still have a role in the process.
“You are to be blamed because even if it is through rigging, it is you people that do the rigging to bring us in,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to examine the people they support during elections. Furthermore, he called for greater public involvement in politics and governance.
Ndume also warned against expecting good results from poor choices.
“You put garbage in, you expect something good out of it? It’s not possible,” he said.
His comments have added another angle to the debate over Nigeria’s leadership challenges. The senator believes better governance also depends on citizens taking their democratic responsibilities seriously.
