Discipline in political leadership is often a question of few, if not, bare replies. It gets even questionable in Africa, where leadership is largely misinterpreted and misperformed. Yet, it seems quite impossible to detach discipline and its related variables from a perfect political system. John Maxwell, the renowned American leadership scholar and author of the bestseller: “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” captures it rather finely: “Great leaders always have self-discipline without exception.” It concludes Lou Holtz, the legendary American football player and coach’s philosophy that “without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.” From every vista to it, we are left to appreciate the quality that discipline brings to the life of a leader and ultimately to their impact on good governance.
In modern leadership phases in Nigeria, the questions of discipline have always resurfaced in most popular arguments. It is within the context of this logic that Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, finds a perfect definition. One of his best traits as a person, which has now lent his administration fantastic shape and matchless consistency. Governor Soludo is a man of spotless discipline. It lives in his words and character, and illuminates in his actions. Those with less knowledge of the subject matter may often confuse the governor’s hard core discipline with the wrong picture. However, in Governor Soludo, Ndi Anambra have found that leader who operates within the principles of sacrosanct pact, even when he has the powers to circumvent them and walk free. That is Professor Soludo – the man who is now being used across the political echelon of Anambra State as the most handy example of precision, meticulousness and sturdy-mindedness.
These unique traits paint some good pictures of what governance should really look like. It is even most relatable looking over the leadership ideologies in Nigeria nay Africa. A mistaken assessment may summarize the governor’s lifestyle as self-deprivation. But the peak of discipline – and the practice point which completes success runs – is akin self-discipline. The holy scripture in Hebrews 12:11 pictures it interestingly: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Governor Soludo, being a devout student of the bible, understands its core tenets, that one not excluded. It is the same for everyone who works or has worked with the Anambra State Governor. Someone who has worked very closely with Governor Soludo for more than thirty years, once joked that anyone who has worked successfully with the Anambra Governor, deserves a double certificate. The emphasis is on the governor’s work energy level and the extraordinary discipline he invests to achieve each goal.
The recent media release announcing the funeral programmes of the governor’s father, caught the attention of many interested people. Early November, the media was awash with news of the demise of the governor’s noneganarian dad who passed on at a government-owned health facility in the state where he had been receiving treatments for years. Many people who are in tune with social documentaries and events, waited for vaunting, showy and ostentatious funeral ceremony. But Governor Soludo knows how to disappoint such banal expectations. And he did. The funeral document, though signed by the governor’s eldest brother, had Soludo’s modest planning written all over it. First, the programme followed to the latter the 2019 Funeral Law of Anambra State which has made funeral ceremonies to hold for just a day. No posters, billboards, souvenirs, litany of ceremonial uniforms popularly known as “Asoebi”. To burst more bubbles, the announcement further stated that guests will only be served with foods and drinks made in Anambra State and Nigeria. Typical Governor Soludo.
In all, the Anambra Chief Executive has set the highest paradigm of what true leadership should really mean. He has, in the most exceptional manner, positioned himself as a man who respects the law just as any common person would or is expected to at least. He has disciplined himself to live the simplest life. Mahatma Ghandi illustrates Governor Soludo’s world view thus: “For winning Swaraj (self-rule) one requires iron discipline.” That is where the Anambra Governor finds his biggest strength. Some great dose of lessons for other leaders in Nigeria.
Written by DANIEL EZEIGWE
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