“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
Proverbs 29:2
In some few days from now, Nigerians will be going into the polls to choose another leader who will guide the affairs of the nation for the next four years. One of the beauty of democracy as a system of government is that it allows the people to choose who they wants as their leader. It is not an imposition as it were, the people through their votes and the ballots; determines who leads them. And so, as much as we try to blame everything that happens in a country on the political leadership of such countries, we forget to also ascribe some blames to those who voted them into power.
So, when things are not going well or as they should, the people also have their own share of the blame because they unanimously through their votes, chose such a leader. And this is why Mahathma Gandhi once said that “If there is an idiot in power; it is because those who elected him are well represented.” It is based on the foregoing that I want us to examine the topic: “The Consequences of Choosing a Bad Leader.” And this is applicable in every sphere of leadership endeavors; be it in an organization, in the home or in the nation as a whole. Below are a few consequences of voting into power those selfish politicians.
- They Don’t Practice What They Preach
Many of them can promise heaven and earth while jostling for their positions, but as soon as they assume power, they begin to renegade from all their promises. And such is what we have been experiencing with our political leadership for a long time. Jesus said something about such leaders in the book of Matthew 23:1-3, it says:
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.”
This is like a warning for us as Nigerians that as we go to cast our votes, let us remember those politicians who have made promises in the past and have failed to fulfill them. Many of them are still coming back for re-election, this is the time to chose wisely and not be fooled again.
- They Don’t Fight For The People
A bad leader does not have the interest of the people at heart and so, he does not adequately fight for them or defend their cause. They care less about their future, not to even talk about their today. Look at what Prophet Isaiah said about such terrible leaders in Isaiah 1:23, it says:
Your princes are rebellious,
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves bribes,
And follows after rewards.
They do not defend the fatherless,
Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.
Isaiah 1:23
Listen to Podcast: The Consequences of Voting Bad Leaders In the Coming Elections
- They Make Unjust Laws And Issue Oppressive Decrees.
You know, one of the things God told the children of Israel about them wanting a king is how the said king was going to rule and oppress them. God told them that your king would turn your children into an instrument of war, and would also levy on you ten percent of some of your produce to give to his servants. He further told them that the said king would take away their vineyards, and their daughters he would turn to his cook and bakers (1 Samuel 8:10-18). Nevertheless, the people told Prophet Samuel that they don’t mind, but as long as they have a king over them, they would be fine.
At the end of the day, they lived by the consequences that followed after King Saul was enthroned. We may be living in a different time from that of the children of Israel today, but we know that a bad political leader can use the law to suit his own selfish purposes and agenda while in office, at the detriment of the people. See the way prophet Isaiah put in Isaiah 10:1-2, it says:
“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees,
Who write misfortune,
Which they have prescribed
2 To rob the needy of justice,
And to take what is right from the poor of My people,
That widows may be their prey,
And that they may rob the fatherless.
Isaiah 10:1-2
- They Will Take Gifts And Accept Bribes
Some months ago, we witnessed how a particular state governor in the Northern part of Nigeria was captured on tape collecting kickbacks from numerous contractors in the state. This is bad leadership. What they are all about is how to amass enough wealth for themselves through every means possible. Such political leaders don’t deserve our votes again, and this forthcoming elections presents another opportunity to kick such bad eggs out of our political system. See what Prophet Micah said concerning such leaders in the book of Micah 7:3, it says:
That they may successfully do evil with both hands—
The prince asks for gifts,
The judge seeks a bribe,
And the great man utters his evil desire;
So they scheme together.
Micah 7:3
Now, the choice is ours once again to do the right things by electing the those we know have the genuine interests of this nation at heart, and not those who have plundered her and the resources that is meant for the whole nation. You know who these people are, and you sure know their cronies as well. The consequences of your choice will determine the direction of this nation for the next four years, therefore, vote wisely. Do not sell your votes for monies that can never liberate you from poverty. When you sell your vote, you are like selling your future as well, and you will live with the consequences of that decision for the rest of your life.
Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a plate of morsel, and he regretted for doing so later in life. What you do today will outlive you, whether you like or not. If you don’t reap the consequences of your actions today, your generations after you may be the ones to suffer it. Hezekiah said I don’t care what will happen in the future, as long as there would be peace in my own time. That is a classic example of a bad leader. Because of his actions, all his descendants were taken into slavery for decades in Babylon, and they almost lost all their treasures.
Therefore, think about your actions as you go into this elections, and I pray that God will help us to make the right choices in Jesus’ name. Thank you for the gift of your time and remain blessed in the Lord.
Source: [Centre for New Dimension Leadership]
