A Cap Too Far: When Leadership Results to Intimidation
Leadership is often seen as the ability to guide, inspire, and uphold the trust of a people, especially in times of crisis. Yet, history and present realities are replete with examples of leaders who, despite their vaunted competence, consistently “flatulate irresponsibly” representing a metaphor for airing and displaying unfiltered, insensitive, and often dangerous outbursts, utterances, opinions or actions without regard for decorum and responsible stewardship. These outbursts, decisions, or actions whether unplanned or policy-driven, often betray a deeper rot: a disregard for the people they claim to serve.
The so-called “competent” leader speaks with contempt, behaves with arrogance, and operates from a place of fake superiority. Citizens become mere tools for manipulation rather than stakeholders in governance. Promises made during campaigns and in governance engagements are forgotten, and the voices of the populace are drowned out by the sound of their ego. This leader may claim to be a man or woman of the people, but their actions tell a different story, like one where the governed are seen as obstacles rather than partners in progress.
In times of crisis, true leadership is tested. However, this variety of leader exhibits a troubling inability to manage crisis. Whether it’s a pandemic, economic recession, or civil unrest, they falter, not due to a lack of resources or information, but due to poor judgment and a refusal to listen. Rather than consulting experts or rallying collective intelligence, they bluster through, issuing inconsistent directives, remaining wastefully silent altogether, and annoyingly refusing helps. When things fall apart, the people are left to pick up the pieces while the leader postures in vainglory.
This is the leader who dismisses advice but chooses to blackmail citizens and well-meaning leaders. This is the so-called leader who ridicules opposing ideas, and sees any challenge as an affront to their intelligence. Purely, this is an example of how not to be a leader.
Surrounded by yes-men, insulated from reality or sometimes just being mischievously dismissive, this leader becomes blind to the harm their decisions cause. Public policy becomes a playground for ego, rather than a mechanism for progress. Constructive criticism is demonized, and facts that contradict their myopic worldview are labeled as fake news or sabotage.
A healthy democracy thrives on debate and diverse opinions, but under such leader, dissent is neglected and criminalised. Journalists are labelled and sometimes hounded, activists are attacked, and opposition voices are silenced through threats and coercion. What emerges is a climate of fear, where people whisper their frustrations instead of voicing them. This is not governance; it’s tyranny dressed in a suit of beguiled ‘competence’.
When errors occur, as they inevitably do in governance, the leader shirks responsibility. Blame is cast on subordinates, past administrations, or external enemies. They never apologize, never acknowledge wrongdoings, and certainly never face consequences. The result? A governance culture where lack of accountability and corruption thrive, charlatans rewarded, and citizens lose faith in the system.
A competent leader understands the value of cultural institutions and elder statesmen, especially in fragile or divided societies. But the irresponsible leader sees them as “Old Cargo”, and obstacles to be bypassed or silenced. By seeking to undermine these community anchors, they seek to weaken the moral and social fabric of the society and nation.
In the end, when this reckless leader flatulates irresponsibly, whether through reckless speech, ill-advised policy, or outright disdain for democratic values, the unpleasant smell lingers in the lives of the people. It poisons discourse, erodes institutions, and leads a society not towards progress, but into decay.
If such is your ‘so-called’ competent leader, you hide hopelessly like him and operate clandestinely. Ọ̀rọ̀ di hùn, ọ̀rọ̀ pèsì jẹ. You and your Mr ‘know-it-all’ puff puff around from all holes, become irritable and completely enmeshed in shame. I Hope you will get sense sha ooo. If you do get sense, support anyone you want but disavow that your leader who turns you against the people.
True competence is not found in titles or self-praise. It is found in humility, wisdom, respect, and the readiness to be accountable in and out of office. Until we hold our leaders to this standard, we risk being governed not by statesmen, but by gas-blowing political leaders in power who seek support by appealing to the prejudices and fault lines of the people rather than by using rational argument.
