Presidential Perception: 3 Questions We Should All Be Asking Mr President -By Steven Haastrup

Steven Haastrup

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah speaking at ‘The Platform’ on the 1st of October 2015 said and I paraphrase, ‘Every government from the beginning of Nigeria’s history have always climbed into power on the mantra of fighting corruption to a standstill, even the military did the same saying we overthrew the last government because they were too corrupt and so on and so forth until we got here’. Looking back into the history of dashed expectations in our national leadership, three questions beg for answers in this era of change.

Firstly, should this anti-corruption campaign be actually labelled a fight? Secondly, is this anti-corruption quest a Presidential goal or a National goal? Thirdly, is this anti-corruption mood here to stay or there (Presidential) to stay? These are questions every progressive citizen should be asking, because at this point we need some sort of plan so we wouldn’t be back to what history has recurrently brought us face to face with – Fighting Corruption Afresh.

I know a lot of Nigerians love the sensation of the word ‘Fighting’, but should this anti-corruption campaign be actually labelled a fight? Let me paint our minds here… a fight in every practical sense is mostly a ‘One on One’ scuffle but let’s look at it this way – a group of people in a nation as populous as ours shouldn’t be fighting anything, we should be waging a collective war and that is why I beg to ask this question: Why should Mr. President be perceived as Personally fighting Corruption? Because what we should be having is a ‘Collective War against Corruption’ – a four-armed (Executive, Legislative, Judiciary and Citizenry) led war against the stinky corrupt few that has eroded this country of her treasures.

Secondly, is this anti-corruption quest a Presidential goal or a National goal? Sir, as a Communication/Image Consultant, your fight against corruption is perceived as monarchical in nature. Come to think of it, have your advisers done the review of your last media chat? You made some statements that didn’t seem to uphold the rule of law and I hope you saw it as such because what you tried doing was bring us into the mood of moral justice instead of judicial justice powered by the constitution (considering the fact that you vowed to uphold and defend the constitution). This Campaign carries an Image like… ‘I am Commander In Chief and Corruption must be dealt with by the Faultless me no matter what gets trampled upon’. In my last article, I mentioned that Mr. President should Come down, Mingle across and Stay authentic to truly lead and not rule Nigerians.

Thirdly, is this mood here to stay or there to stay? This mood seem like a fight from Mr. President who wouldn’t condone corruption. It’s dramatizing to read about billions stolen on the pages of newspaper, even judges have been told by the Federal Government to stand-tall or go to jail. Who shouldn’t be scared? Fear at this moment should guide what anyone does and what anyone shouldn’t. History has shown that fear doesn’t bring about sustainable change, it might bring about the mood, it might set the moment right but it doesn’t make change sustainable. Let’s look at it this way… Why not make this war a four-armed led war? Why not strengthen the rule of law against corruption? Because at this point, it doesn’t even look like this campaign has inspired a majority of states or even local governments to replicate your fight against corruption, which answers the question of whether this fight is solely Presidential or National.

Conclusively Mr. President, this fight against corruption isn’t sustainable, it’s simply presidential. Nigerians at this point need a leader with a sustainable collaborative plan and not just a plan that functions with just your person in power. We love your intents, we love the perception of your person but we need from you a leader who bothers more on structural sustainability, institutional capacity and civic partnership. As I said in my last article, your goodwill isn’t superior or supernatural, so never ever think sir or let them let you think that your goodwill cannot fade.

With all due respect Mr. President!

Someone should get this to Mr. President. For the next 2 episodes of my column, I would be doing ‘The Presidential Perception Series’. To other reader-leaders who just read this, endeavour to share this article as far as you can and let us constructively join hands to help our nation succeed. Meet me every Monday on ‘EndView with Steven Haastrup’ as I simplify case studies on Communication and Image Management Issues as related to Government, Politics, Business, People and Family.

Steven Haastrup is branded ‘The Fixer’, He is a Communication Crisis Expert, an Image Management Consultant and a Public Speaking Coach.