Fides Media Living the Faith
By Daniel Ezeigwe
The concept of governance has often been forced to wear varied interpretations, each school of thought formulating a social theory that best connotes to a peculiar mindset of leadership. But then, governance is a much broader term. It goes beyond the bi-lateral rapport between the leader and the lead.
The World Bank’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) Handbook sees governance as “the way power is exercised through a country’s economic, political, and social institutions.” That punchy definition portrays governance as not just a platform for the exercise of power, but a system that accommodates all parts. At the helm of this socio-political clan is a leader, who either sticks to the formulaic pattern or invents a new tradition that fits in most into their management experience or ideology.
Prior to his assumption of office as Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo was not fidgety about his development plans. He was clear that his administration would adopt a rare system of leadership. He called it “Creative Disruption”. Mark Dillard, an American author and leadership and organizational management consultant views “Creative disruption” as “the initiation of small movements, the opening up of new avenues of consideration and perspective.
This path is qualitatively different from a structured change approach. It creates the foundation for the acceleration and more efficient execution of formal organization change. At the same time, it nourishes the innate human capacity for discovery, curiosity, and reinvention.” Professor Soludo, a renowned economist, global consultant and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, had probably tested the efficacy of this management theory and came to the conclusion that if the failing system must be made to work, then a new approach must be activated.
Governor Soludo’s application of “Creative Disruption” to governance in today’s Anambra State, sets a learnable example. In today’s political environment where affiliations and interests define relationships between most public office holders, the governor has forged a unique path, opening the doors for progressive political affiliations. In setting the pace for collective governance, Governor Soludo has built robust relationships with his predecessors and continues to reach out to them on issues that matter to the state.
He has broken the usual cold political barriers to accommodate all the political representatives in Anambra State despite party affiliations. The philosophy is simple: The One Anambra, One People, One Agenda mantra does not segregate neither can it be achieved by giving notice to religious, social, political, economic, gender, age and cultural dichotomies. That social theory of communalism is what the governor considers indispensable.
Surprisingly, part of the procedural revelations of “Creative Disruption” points to liberalism. By being licentious, Governor Soludo is strategically knitting a network of progressives, “creating the foundation for the acceleration and more efficient execution of formal organization change.” Aware of the potentials resident in Anambra State, the governor understands that by pulling down the synthetic political and egoistic barriers that hindered a collective force, Anambra’s limitless development power could be harnessed maximally.
By enabling an atmosphere of equal participation, political representation in the state would now be viewed beyond party lineages. Expectedly, the results are already flying in. The truth is that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is a practicing democrat, perhaps a democrat with much liberal background. A first-class student of econo-political philosophy.
The recent donation of security gadgets worth millions of naira to Anambra State Government by the Senator representing Anambra South under the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Dr Ifeanyu Ubah, underscores Governor Soludo’s political accommodativeness and willingness by major political actors in the state to identify with the progressive movement, being that Soludo is unarguably a man who gives warm embrace to progressive ideas. Prior to the donation, Governor Soludo had appeared as a special guest at the National Innovation Workshop.
The workshop, which was aimed at tapping the local potentials in science, technology and innovation among youths, was facilitated by the Senator representing Anambra Central under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Iyom Uche Ekwunife.
Note that the event was held at the state-government-owned International Convention Centre, ICC, Awka. Tactically, Charlie Nwa Mgbafor is building development bridges beyond political party lines and coordinating a pack of progressives with the sole aim of giving even face to the development of the state.
In the heat of political campaigns heralding the forthcoming general elections, Governor Soludo avoided the unhealthy selective political partisanship that has become a habit for most power holders in Nigeria. He opened the doors for visiting politicians who were campaigning under different political platforms, hosted them at his official residence and gave his own input on the Nigerian project.
The Governor embraced those who would have used the opportunity for ulterior moves were they to be the host. In the end, Governor Soludo has proven to be a true democrat, a core liberal and a man who values progress over sentiments. Determined to leave a legacy for history, the “Isuofia Boy” refuses to play politics of bitterness.
