Akande: A Quintessential Leader
In this piece, Aderemi Idowu pays tribute to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, who clocks 75 this week.
There is no better time than now to assess the quality of leaders Nigeria has had in the last 50 years of its independence. The Zik of Africa, whose political razzmatazz and oratorical skills were second to none in the continent, was at his twilight addressed as the Owelle of Onitsha. Zik was reputed for one of his famous quotes that “it is only a fool that fails to change his mind when there is the need to do so” The question remains whether he must have changed his severally in matters of national importance. The Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, was the unapologetic founder of modern Northern Nigeria. His classical assertion that he would rather be the Sultan of Sokoto than be the president of Nigeria demonstrated his deep love for his people more than for his country. The last of these great nationalists, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was the best manager of men and resources and also crowned in death as the best president Nigeria never had, as testified to by the late Ikemba of Nnewi. Awo chose to pursue a national interest rather than solidifying his base. This tripod came, led and left their imprints on Nigeria political landscape. History will continue to judge them individually and collectively as to their roles in shaping or failure to mode Nigeria in readiness to a 21st century wonderland. After these remarkable leaders, the country had grappled with both military rulers and their civilian counterpart with little or nothing to show for their efforts, in terms of physical development, institutional growth and economic advancement that commensurate with the large amount of billions of dollars generated from our God given resources.
Amongst the pack however, is one man who stands conspicuously taller than the rest in character, honesty, integrity, achievements and personal examples as a leader and as an unassuming team player in the quest for nation building. His is no other person than Chief Adebisi Akande, the current National Chairman (interim) of the fastest growing political party in Nigeria (I dare say in Africa)!
His meticulous national and international rise became noticeable when he became the executive governor of Osun State in the Fourth republic between 1999 to 2003. Prior to that, he was the deputy governor to the late Chief Bola Ige in the Second Republic. What did he do differently? He was arguably the only executive governor that neither created room nor condoned corruption in his government. Contracts were awarded, using a master stroke policy of not given advance mobilisation to contractors in execution of same contacts bided for. Added to that was a no- room variation on contracts during and after execution. With that saintly management style and prudence in a country notorious for corruption, he was able to execute over 500 projects, from education to infrastructure, health, community housing, a new secretariat including over a 1000 kilometres of roads with meagre revenue at the state’s disposal and without borrowing a kobo. In fact Osun State was among the poorest states, in terms of revenue allocations and IGR. He left the state as the most best governed financially and in terms of developmental indices as attested to even by his political opponents.
Whilst the Federal government under General Obasanjo was awarding a one- room classroom for an average of N1.5 million, Akande was doing the same standard of classroom for half a million naira under the Universal Basic Education Programme. That to Osun state was a bonus of “three for a price of one” benefit!
Chief Bisi Akande’s integrity and averse to greed and corruption was also spotted when OBJ wanted him as a ministerial nominee in 2003; what did he do? In a country where most people would sell their mother and father, spilt innocent blood and sweat and worship at Okija shrine and other evil alters to get to power, this simple, God fearing leader just went on a long holiday, until all available posts were filled. That uncommon tactical rejection dazed OBJ and he was determined pay Akande back at all cost.
At a time when it was fashionable to sell integrity and honour for a paltry some of naira, this adorable man with the help of some compatriots stood their grounds, paid their dues in ensuring that the AD (Alliance for Democracy) did not go under water after the political tsunami of 2003 election in the South West states, where five of the six governors (including Chief Bisi Akande) were un-intentionally sold out to OBJ through Afenifere elders. He fought hard to re-build the party from AD into AC, then into ACN, and finally into a national political merger as predicted by the Sage, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo; All Progressive Congress (APC).
Political historians would have some stories to tell in the nearest future on the emergence of the first successful political merger in Nigeria, the APC, under the able leadership of a man of steel, but sweet in spirit, who for all it takes worked day and night with his friends and political associates in given birth to what is slowly killing the biggest political fraud in Africa, the PDP. Little by little, step by step, the once indomitable monster is now a shadow of it old self.
It was not an all sweet journey for Chief Akande, a political associate of the late sage. What he lacks in Nigerian standard of measuring wealth, he has in abundance in good nature, good health, amazing grace, respect, honour, competence, wisdom, peace including good friends, associates and political sons and daughters that would go to war with him without a request and without hesitation. He single-handedly repelled the prince from Okuku and his clique in an attempt to maliciously taint his reputation and integrity in a false allegation of corruption. He not only won because he was never guilty, but forced them to beat a retreat when all attempts to rope him and force him to admit guilt failed.
A good leader is not made overnight while charity begins at home. Akande is a product of good marriage, family life and dependable allies, the reason he enjoys peace and supports both at home front and at national level.
It is for these reasons and many more the space and time would not allow one to write that I doff my hat to an iconic leader of all leaders, a political generalissimo and ever smiling, ever loving and ever hard working leader at 75. Many happy returns of this day, Sir.
Idowu, former Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Action Congress of Nigeria, United Kingdom Chapter, writes from London.
Source: The Nation