“Governor Zulum Calls for Chinese-Style Leadership Model to Enhance Merit and Accountability in Nigeria”
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, has urged the Federal Government to adopt the Chinese model of selecting leaders at the federal, state, and council levels.
According to him, the adoption of model, will ensure a “structured and merit-based” of elections into various leadership positions at the three tiers of government.
Zulum advocated the leadership election model, yesterday (Monday) at the 24th National Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NNIAE) recently held in Abuja.
“The adoption and proper utilization of the Chinese leadership model could benefit Nigeria in the various sectors of the economy,” he said, adding that the model ensures transparency and accountable to the electorate.
Additionally, he said: “I am always referring to the electoral system in China,” explaining that China does leadership selection versus elections at all levels in the country.
On how leaders are selected and elected, the governor stated that; “First, the Chinese will identify credible leaders with proven integrities based on past records or performances,” adding that they also evaluate the potential of all those who have been in a public office over a period of time.
Thereafter, he said the Chinese electoral system select the best to lead their people at all levels of governance.
Besides the leadership selection process, he added: “After that, they subject the best selected candidates for election at the polls.
Zulum, therefore, called on Nigerians to become good followers, so as to ensure an “effective and efficient” governance at the federal, state and council levels.
Lamenting the leadership problems in the country, the governor noted that; “Our problem is not only about leadership, but the followers have their own too.”
He said there is the need to shift the focus to the two critical components of leadership selection and elections
“Our problem here in Nigeria is not only about the leadership, but there is the need to shift our focus to two critical components rather than one, which comprise leadership as well as the followership across the country.
He warned that there will be no meaningful development without good leadership at all levels.
“As we need good leaders, we also require good citizens who can distinguish between their right and left hands in electing their leaders in the country,” noted Zulum.
He also reiterated the role of technology in transforming agricultural practice to enhance food production and sustenance in the country.
According to him, the Agricultural Engineers Conference offers an opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaboration in exploring the potentials of emerging technologies to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
Zulum noted: “By adopting the power of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, we can develop sustainable and resilient food systems to meet the needs of the growing population while protecting our natural resources.”
