Jonathan unprepared to lead Nigeria – Kalu

Former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu
says President Goodluck Jonathan is
unprepared to lead the country, adding
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.”