By Abdullahi Mohammed
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has disagreed with Nigeria’s president elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on the need to obey traffic lights . He made his view known while during his remarks on sacrifice at the Progressive Governors Forum’s ( PGF) Pre Inauguration Retreat held at Shehu Musa Yar Adua Centre on Wednesday
Okorocha said “We are very happy that the president elect general Muhammadu Buhari ,though I do not subscribe to (those) that advised that we should stop at the traffic light.As good as it may be, it could also be dangerous.. that is high form of sacrifice “.
The chairman of progressive governors forum governor Rochas Owelle Okorocha also urged APC governors especially the new governors elect to imbibe the virtues of leadership and sacrifices.He said this while addressing the party chiefs during at YarAdua centre in Abuja on Wednesday
Okorocha said “We are here for business, we are here on how we can together make Nigeria our collective dreams and aspiration. One thing is certain ,.. once you are elected and you are declared the winner you become a leader and a leader must have certain attributes, a leader must have certain qualities, to most people leadership means ability to control or influence or command people but there is more to leadership than control , command and influence” .
‘’A leader is that man who inspires and motivate people towards achieving a particular goal without the influence of manipulation that is what makes you a leader, a leader must possess certain qualities, anyone that must be a leader must have a vision and must have passion . Therefore leadership without vision and passion is no leadership and a state is as big as it’s leader and a nation is as big as its leader, no nation or state can out grow above their leaders” he stated.
” So we the governors as leaders determined the size and the weight and the images of our state, our national chairman is the leader of the party and this party cannot grow beyond the national chairman, so leadership is all important in what you do” he advised
‘’Leaders must learn to understand that their role as a leader they must make sacrifice. Sacrifice is the key in leadership and leadership who is not ready to make sacrifices cannot make any head way in the course of administration, what sacrifices means is that doing those things that are inconvenient to you but those that you governs may benefit that is all about sacrifices.” Governor Okorocha opined
” There is something about the head ,anywhere the head passes through the body would also pass through. Leadership is very key and sacrifice is the order of the day . Sacrifice is a comfort, a way of life,every leader must tend to have the quality of sacrifice.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo ,the vice president elect who declared the event open, lamented the way the country was fairing economically and politically.
” Alot of promises have been made (while) our economy is declining and dwindling towards the wrong directions. We have the biggest opportunities to turn the country around, the real change is here “.he said.
Chairman of All Progressive Party, chief Odigie Oyegun said the expectation from the incoming government remains very high.
” While we celebrate our victory we should remind ourselves that the expectations from our people is just too high,yes because the country’s economy is in a serious trauma.
He Said the decline in oil prices could ruin the party’s ability to fulfill its campaign promises .”This situation calls for a thorough review of the way we have done things in the past “,he said.
” Change has indeed come, we must be prepared for the next election right from the day that you are sworn in, this is the only way at the end of the year in four years’ time,we the apostles of change will be able to run on our records,all governors of APC must exhibit clear distinguishable and identifiable strong characteristics” Oyegun said.
Those in attendance include Governors Kashim Shettima Borno state, Abdullaziz Yari Zamfara state, Abdul Fatah Ahmed kwara state, Rauf Aregbesola Osun state, Abiola Ajimobi Oyo state, governor elect Simon Lalong ,plateau state,governor elect Ambode Akinwunmi ,Lagos state, governor elect Mohammed Umar Jibrilla Adamawa state,governor elect Abubakar Sanni Bello Niger state,governor elect Atiku Bagudu Kebbi state,governor elect Mohammed Abubakar ,Bauchi state.
Other important personalities in attendance include Tony Mommoh , senator Chris Ngige, Dr Audu Ogbe,Segun Oni APC deputy southwest zone and Hajia Ramatu APC woman leader among others.
