Nigeria has sworn in a new president. His dispensation has begun with the sort of banter that football fans throw at each other when a team wins or loses. A set of people are happy that their predictions have come to pass while a lot of people are unhappy because this was not their choice. Whatever the case may be, Nigeria is at the point where we are most divided, and the presidency of a politically and religiously divided country brings with it a unique set of expectations and challenges. A president must navigate the complex and often contentious issues that arise from a diverse population with varying beliefs and opinions. In this article, we will explore the expectations of a president in a politically and religiously divided country and the strategies they can employ to meet those expectations.
Unity
One of the primary expectations of a president is to serve as a unifying force. The president must work to bring together people of different political and religious backgrounds, creating a sense of national unity. To achieve this, the president must be willing to listen to diverse voices and perspectives, seeking common ground and working towards shared goals. This requires a president who is willing to put aside personal biases and agendas and focus on what is best for the nation as a whole. The acrimony flying around can be quelled by being fair to everyone across political and ethnic lines.
Nobody should be given soaked sliced bread because they did not supports his ambition.
Tolerance and Understanding
Another expectation of a president is to promote tolerance and understanding. The president must be vocal in his support for diversity and inclusivity, promoting a culture of respect and acceptance for all people, regardless of their beliefs or background. This can involve speaking out against hate speech and discriminatory behaviour, and modelling behaviour that values and celebrates diversity. We do not want a president who keeps quiet when things are going wrong.
We don’t want him picking his teeth with a toothpick while people are suffering.
Manage Conflict
Due to Nigeria’s climate at this time, the president must also be skilled at managing conflict. This means being able to defuse tense situations and mediate disputes between different groups. The president must be able to remain calm and level-headed in the face of criticism and opposition and be able to find solutions that satisfy all parties involved. This requires strong communication skills, as well as the ability to empathize with different perspectives and understand the underlying concerns and motivations of different groups.
Balance Interests
A president in a country such as ours must also be able to balance competing interests. This means being able to make decisions that take into account the needs and desires of different groups. While also keeping in mind the broader interests of the nation as a whole. This can involve making compromises and trade-offs. He also has to be willing to make difficult decisions that may be unpopular with some segments of the population.
We hope that he doesn’t put the interests of a region of the country first because of the support he got from them.
Transparency and Accountability
Finally, a president must be committed to transparency and accountability. This means being open and honest with the public about the decisions they make and the reasons behind those decisions. It also means being willing to admit when mistakes are made and take responsibility for those mistakes. This can help to build trust with the public and demonstrate a commitment to fairness and justice.
To meet these expectations, a president can employ a number of strategies. One approach is to build coalitions and partnerships with different groups, working to find common ground and shared goals. This can involve reaching out to leaders of different political and religious groups. As well as community leaders and other stakeholders.
Another approach is to use the power of rhetoric to promote unity and understanding. The man must talk to us, and speak properly, not gibberish. This can involve using speeches and public appearances to promote a message of inclusivity and respect for all people. It can also involve using social media and other digital platforms to engage with the public and promote a culture of tolerance and acceptance. He shouldn’t clamp on social media like his predecessor.
He should use policy initiatives to promote unity and understanding. This can involve investing in programs and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusivity. As well as working to address the underlying causes of social and economic inequality. It can also involve promoting policies that are designed to benefit all segments of the population, rather than just a particular group or subset.
We sincerely hope that in spite of the perceived arrogance we saw during his campaign, the obvious health problems, and the gathering of corrupt politicians parading around the man, we see some progress in the country.
