By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
The Rector of Akawe Torkula Polytechnic Makurdi, Dr. Martins Agena, has called on Nigerians to embrace a new political direction anchored on accountability, competence, performance and collective national progress.
Dr. Agena made the call while speaking on the state of leadership and political participation in Nigeria, where he stressed the need for citizens to become more actively involved in the democratic process rather than leaving leadership positions in the hands of unqualified individuals.
According to him, Nigerians must rise above religious, ethnic and sentimental considerations when choosing leaders and instead support credible persons with the vision, integrity and capacity to drive meaningful development across the country.
He maintained that effective leadership should not be measured by the number of years spent in office, but by visible impact, quality representation and the ability to improve the lives of the people.
The Rector cautioned against what he described as “cash-and-carry politics,” noting that the practice of vote-buying and selfish political interests had continued to weaken governance and democratic institutions in the country.
He urged constituents and voters to elect leaders with proven competence, courage and accountability, insisting that sustainable development can only thrive when the right people are entrusted with public offices.
Dr. Agena who is also aspiring for House of Representative for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, further advocated fairness, equity and inclusion in the political arrangement within the Local Government Area.
He noted that correcting such imbalances would strengthen unity, deepen trust among the people and ensure equitable distribution of democratic dividends across the area.
Speaking on the broader challenges confronting the nation, the Rector identified insecurity, poor infrastructure, unemployment, poverty, weak institutions and inadequate representation as some of the major setbacks hindering national growth and development.
He regretted that over the years, leadership failures and disappointments had become recurring issues across the African nations, including Nigeria, while citizens often focused solely on blaming leaders without examining their own roles in selecting leaders in governance.
According to him, leadership is not merely about occupying positions of authority, but a reflection of the collective values, actions and decisions of the people.
He explained that societies often produce leaders that mirror the standards tolerated by the electorate, stressing that silence, indifference and voter apathy contribute significantly to bad governance.
“Africa is richly blessed with human and natural resources, vibrant cultures and enormous potential, yet many nations continue to struggle with cycles of leadership that promise much but deliver little because citizens sometimes fail to demand accountability and excellence,” he stated.
Dr. Agena challenged Nigerians to move beyond lamentations and develop a culture of civic responsibility, active participation and informed decision-making during elections.
He stressed that real change begins with awareness and collective action, adding that the future of any nation depends not only on those who lead, but also on the people who choose, support and allow themselves to be governed.
The Rector particularly called on youths, intellectuals, professionals and community leaders to take active interest in governance and contribute positively towards building a more transparent, inclusive and progressive society.
