Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, the former Minister of Education, stated that no leaders have ever won against their people. When people tell their leaders that they are hungry and angry due to poor governance, the wise response is not to shut them up, threaten, or brutalize them, but to listen, provide factual counterpoints, present a convincing plan of action, and mobilize the people to “Arise and Build”.
She stated this in response to the ongoing nationwide protest.
She added that the Nigerian government, president, national assembly, and state governors still have an opportunity to do the right thing for their citizens. This includes using the current situation as a “Golden Moment of Opportunity” to have a credible national conversation on the most effective structure and direction for good governance. Additionally, the leaders should come out to the protest grounds across the country and directly engage with the citizens to hear their demands, rather than isolating themselves in government buildings.
In her words, “No Leaders have ever won against their People. None.
When a People tell their Leaders that they are hungry and angry because you have governed them badly, the wise thing to do is not to shut them up, threaten, taunt and brutalize them thereby demonstrating a tragic empathy deficit syndrome.
The wise things to do are:
Listen. Listen. Listen.
Persuade with Factual Counterpoints
Present Convincing Plan of Action