THE CHALLENGES OF LEADERSHIP TO GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA UNDER A DEMOCRATIC REGIME

Leadership is a very important variable in the nature, state and character of any nation. Leadership and the form of leadership that they provide shape the way in which state policies are made and the impact on the generality of the people. State on its own cannot make policies; it depends on the political elite to do this. Thus, it is the political elites or the decision makers of a state who determine the purpose and course of actions at both the domestic and international levels. Ironically, the conditions of Nigeria and Nigerians over the years have remained pathetic. This has been attributed to a number of factors among which is leadership failure. The leadership has been described as not focused, sincere, honest and corrupt. All these vices, it is said lead to bad government. The resultant effect is the general level of poverty, insecurity, unemployment and deprivation. The paper finally submits that to redress the situation, there is the urgent need to reform the country through honest, transparent, dedicated, committed e.q, detribalized, national leader who could transform the country to a truly federal state with every citizen feeling a genuine sense of belonging "every part of the country.