President Goodluck Jonathan is unprepared to lead Nigeria - Orji Uzor Kalu

Former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu stated that President Goodluck Jonathan is unprepared to lead the Nigeria, saying
that all the president “wanted in 2007 was to get a full term in office as governor.”

Kalu said this at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on Thursday at the Professor David Ijalaye annual lecture. He traced the failure of Nigeria’s socio economic development to “unprepared leadership,” lamenting that Nigeria had been beset with reluctant leaders forced upon the masses by the ruling elite.

Kalu, whose lecture was entitled, ‘Leadership: Key factor to a better Nigeria,’ said the lack of committed and foresighted leaders was the bane of the country’s development. Making a case for true federalism, Kalu bemoaned the deplorable condition of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway even as he supported the call for the creation of state police.

He, however, clarified that for state police not to be used as agent of oppression, police chiefs like Divisional Police Officers must be elected, “like we have in the United States of America”.

Tracing the emergence of Nigeria’s past Heads of State and Presidents, Kalu said past leaders such as Maj.-Gen. JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Sheu Shagari, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, and Jonathan were all unprepared for leadership.

He said, “Goodluck Jonathan became Bayelsa State Governor when his former principal DSP Alamieyiesegha was impeached. “All he wanted in 2007 was to get a full term in office as governor. But he was drafted to be Vice President and
within three years he became president. Was he prepared to be president? The answer is no.”