ABSTRACT
On a general note, irresponsible leadership is mostly the reason why some countries, most especially African countries, are still underdeveloped even though they have a vast amount of resources. Their leaders are wicked, careless and unburdened by the problems of their people. Instead, these leaders watch out for themselves alone and ignore the wailing and cries of the suffering people. As established, Irresponsible leadership is a harmful and unethical leadership style that prioritizes personal interests over the well-being and success of a particular group of people. Leaders who exhibit irresponsible leadership often prioritize their own self-serving motives and short-term gains over the long-term success of the organization.
Tyranny as a form of irresponsible leadership is a common trait in irresponsible leaders. It refers to the act of having total power and control over a particular audience. In a tyrannical system, the ones who hold the reins of power are capable of taking decisions that favour them over the detriment of their followers.
In Nigeria, the military regime between. The ruling military junta wielded absolute power, suppressing any opposition and dissent with an iron fist. Human rights abuses were rampant, with torture, extrajudicial killings, and forced disappearances becoming the norm. Freedom of speech, assembly, and the press were severely restricted, and political opposition was not tolerated.
Alongside these heinous acts, the period was also characterized by economic mismanagement, corruption, and nepotism, leading to widespread poverty and suffering. The military rulers were not accountable to the people, and their actions were often shrouded in secrecy. Violent repression was used to maintain power, with crackdowns on student protests, labor unions, and political opponents becoming commonplace.
Although in the Democratic era between 1999 till now (2024), Nigeria has been running a presidential system of government with a bicameral legislature, but the state of living has worsened due to the tyrannical rule of the leaders. These leaders make promises to create new policies and working infrastructures for the people, however, upon attaining the position , they become selfish and callous. They become less accessible in their offices and ignore the crying of the people. They engage in criminal and corrupt activities just for their own selfish selves. Cost of living and inflation rate keeps increasing. The masses complain of expensive foodstuffs and a high cost of living. However the tyrannical leaders are unconcerned about these complaints.
Also, this research shows that corruption is also a faction of irresponsible leadership. It involves the misuse of public funds by someone in power. This misuse is closely associated with embezzlement and dishonesty.
To combat the raging fires of corruption in Nigeria, agencies like the Economic Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission were set up to weed out the Corrupt leaders. Overtime, these agencies have prosecuted corrupt politicians and government officials.
In addition to corruption, Bribery is also closely linked to irresponsibility. Contractors who bribe their way to get contracts, politicians who bribe their ways to get elected and officials who bribe their way out of problems can be termed as irresponsible leaders. The implication of their actions jeopardizes the legacy of the country.
The Corrupt Practices also extend to the religious institutions where religious leaders perpetuate the corrupt acts of these politicians and fail to call them out.
Notably, these actions by these leaders and the selfish policies being implemented is a remote cause of poverty in the country. The leaders who are supposed to develop the nation are perpetrators of poverty who keep eating deep into the system of the nation.
In conclusion, for a country to grow, evolve and develop well, it is important for all hands to be on deck, in order to weed this evil act out.
