Insecurity: Jonathan, Rep disagree on leadership style

Posted by admin House, Latest Politics, Legislature Monday, January 2nd, 2012

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday defended his leadership style, saying he had been slow in taking decisions on national issues because of his belief in consulting widely.

Jonathan said at the First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, where he and his family joined other Christians to mark the New Year that expereince had taught him that hasty decisions never end well.

But the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Suleiman Sumaila, disagreed with the President’s leadership style, blaming the worsening security situation in the country on his (Jonathan) leadership defect.

Jonathan, however, said his desire was to avoid mistakes that would have negative effects on the people who voted for him.

He said, “When I’m challenged, I think more, I don’t rush to take decisions, I listen more to people. That is why sometimes it looks as if I’m slow. I also know that when people rush to take decisions, they also make a lot of mistakes. A lot of people only celebrate their successes and not their mistakes.”

He also told the congregation that the 2012 budget was the first that would be built on his administration’s vision and commitment for the country.

The President said, “The journey will be tough; it’s not going to be too painful anyway because I also know that leaders who bring pain on the people always end up badly.

“Leaders who think they are so powerful always end up badly and no leader will want to be reckoned with as one who brought pain to the people.

“We are all writing our history, whatever you sow as a leader, even if you are dead and gone, the story will be told how you brought pain on the people. So nobody will bring pains on Nigerians.

“So our commitment is that by May 29, 2015, Nigerians will look back and say we made the right choice by voting for people who have done well for us.”

However, Sumaila, who is also the leader of the All Nigeria People’s Party in the House, said, “I don’t think he has the capacity to lead Nigeria. It goes beyond having a Phd. What Malam Aminu Kano and Sir Ahmadu Bello had was Grade ll Teachers Certificate but they led very well.

“Mr. President has not really been acquainted with the country enough to understand its problems before coming into the highest office in the land. See how Christian and Islamic leaders talk anyhow. CAN President told the President to his face that his government is incompetent but the President did not respond.

“The President is there because we all believe he is the leader but Mr. President is incapacitated to lead Nigeria. The problem of Nigeria is not Muslims or Christians but the government. He’s not dancing to the tune of the majority but to the tune of a clique around him.

“It is not good for the president to announce imminent changes in the leadership of the security agencies. They are doing their best with the resources available to them. There are no security gadgets to check bombs and other IEDs. Whoever is removed will be replaced with someone else within the system.”

“Some people are feeding fat from the misdeeds of the perpetrators of the violence, even amongst the security agents. But we want to see the result of the security votes to the state and even the Federal Government. Let Mr. President work with other stakeholders, free himself from the cocoon surrounding him to see things for himself and assess the situation and take full control.”

-Punchwp_posts