- Professor Yemi Osinbajo asks Nigerians to make all political candidates pass through a competency test before electing them
- Osinbajo illustrates his argument using the story of the biblical David
- Professor Akinjide Osuntokun laments the disconnect between Nigerians and their leaders
Nigeria’s vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, February 8, in Abuja asked Nigerians to ensure they demand and test the competency and leadership abilities of political aspirants before voting them into public office.
The Punch reports that Osinbajo cited biblical David, who delivered the Israelites from Goliath.
The vice president, represented by his wife, Dolapo, at the fourth annual public lecture to mark the 76th birthday of the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, urged the electorates to vote only aspirants who have exhibited leadership qualities.
READ ALSO: Minister laments governors' unwillingness to provide land for ranches
The report said the lecture titled ‘Nation-building and the challenge of leadership: The lessons for today,’ was delivered by emeritus professor of history and international relations, University of Lagos, Akinjide Osuntokun.
Osinbajo recalled the activities of David before he was anointed as king of Israel and stated that the warrior had killed lions and bears as proofs of his competency and leadership abilities.
“David narrated how he killed lions and bears. So, we must ask the leaders, ‘where is your lion, where is your bear,’ before we can allow them to lead us,” he tasked Nigerians.
According to Osuntokun, there is disconnect between African leaders and their followers. While the leaders are living in opulence, their people were languishing in penury.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app
He said political leaders to must pledge to eradicate poverty.
“Leaders must be charismatic, there must be no disconnect between the leaders and the led,” he said.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly sent an emissary to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state in moves to secure southwest votes during the 2019 general elections.
Ajimobi and other state officials had boycotted a presidential campaign programme launched in his state by the minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu.
PDP's Magnificent 7 for 2019 - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng