Telling Stories and Leading in Election Time

I keep a weekly diary. It helps me share stories about Nigeria and the world. I cover politics, the economy, society, and our ongoing search for leaders who can keep their promises and deliver results. Sometimes, I shake things up in Nigeria’s public life.

We know about the problems of a single story, but that’s not my focus today. Stories shape societies. Good stories create impacts that influence the future. Leaders who don’t tell honest stories only create frustration and disappointment.

A Story from the Start

In 2004, in Kaduna, Sam Nda-Isaiah and his wife, Zainab, thought of starting a newspaper. She shared how her husband woke up early, jotted down some ideas, and asked for her opinion. That idea, born from their closeness and bravery, grew into LEADERSHIP newspaper.

The question is simple: What stories are today’s leaders telling, and what kind of leaders will those stories bring about in the future?

Over the years, I have learned that storytelling is not just for show. It is serious work. Every leader, whether in government, business, civil society, or media, is a storyteller. The real question is not if you tell stories, but what kind of stories you tell, how you share them, and whether they have the impact you want.

Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Mahmoud Jega are among my favorite storytellers. I have seen politicians create narratives that uplift nations, and I have also seen them tell stories that spark anger and destruction. I have watched corporate leaders build great companies with strong visions, while others lost everything due to their own mistakes.

But let me share a story from my home, a lesson from my mother that I often share with my two lovely grandchildren, Ezhinne, 7, and Ekeneolise, 5.

It's about two sisters who went into a forbidden forest, ignoring their mother’s warning. The older sister convinced them. Their curiosity led them into danger, where evil men captured them. For days, the girls refused to eat or drink. Eventually, they gave in and ate some food.

One day, they caught their watchers off guard and managed to escape. When the chief priest learned of this, he ordered the strongest demons to chase the girls. They didn’t know that their meal had tied them to the evil forest. The evil men had a song that slowed down any runaway captive.

The song goes like this: “Ori ni iji nmo, ota n’oka nmo okpiri gbue ye, ndalu ndalu, gbue, gbu, nko, nko, gbue ba’sa ndalu, ndalu, ndalu….”

First, the story must be real. It can be made-up or true, but it should feel genuine. It should connect emotionally and morally. A leader who tells a story people can’t relate to won’t lead for long.

The harder the girls ran, the slower they went, especially as the song echoed behind them. Translated from Ukwani to English, the song calls the demons to quickly kill whoever has eaten the food of the evil forest.

In a moment of instinct and almost out of energy, the younger sister turned the song around. She sang:
“Ori ni iji nmo, ota n’oka nmo okpiri sa’a ya, ndalu ndalu, sa’a ya, nko, nko, sa’a ya be gbue ndalu, ndalu, ndalu….”

This version asked the gods to be kind and spare whoever had eaten the food from the evil forest. This change weakened the spell and gave the girls speed. The chase continued until they finally reached safety, but not without their pursuers leaving a mark on their backs, which is a burden we all carry today.

The moral is clear: if you ignore your parents, you might face serious consequences that can last beyond you.

Effective Storytelling

The story must be real and can be aspirational or true. It should connect emotionally and contextually. It also needs to be morally sound. A leader telling a story that people can’t feel will not lead for long.

When Mr. Peter Obi speaks, you feel a sense of belief or doubt, whether you agree or not. When former Vice President Atiku Abubakar talks about his experience, you hear the weight of his six attempts. When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu speaks of renewal, you either feel hope or tiredness, depending on your view.

Next, the story must be timely. A story told too early is ignored, while one told too late might not matter. Good leadership knows when the right moment is to share the story.

Also, the story must inspire action. A story that encourages but doesn’t guide is just entertainment, not leadership.

The story is not finished. I challenge you to share it. Nigeria’s story is ongoing. The question is: what kind of story will we create together, and what leadership will that story bring? I believe in Nigeria not because it is flawless, but because its story is still being told. I believe in leadership not because leaders are perfect, but because leaders who share good stories can motivate imperfect people to achieve great things.

What Stories Are We Sharing?

Let’s look at ourselves. What stories are Nigeria’s leaders telling today, and what kind of leadership will those stories lead to tomorrow?

On the economy, we tell a story of hope and hard times. As elections approach, we hear official talk of economic progress. But the story must link today’s struggles with tomorrow’s hope. When people ask the government about savings from the removal of petrol subsidy, they are checking if the economic story makes sense. Leaders must respond with both policy and narrative, why this pain, for how long, and what is the goal?

The Media's Role in Storytelling

I want to speak to the leaders and organizers in this forum who are shaping the leaders of tomorrow. We are not just watchers of leadership stories; we are also involved in crafting them. Commentary isn’t enough. We must also guide, explain, and question the stories leaders tell.

We need to share stories that protect our national interest without turning into propaganda.

A Message to Today’s Leaders

To the leaders here, and future leaders in government, business, civil society, or any field, remember this: your story is your legacy.

I was just a boy from Ajegunle who joined the University of Lagos journalism program without connections but full of dreams. Many years later, I am still here, writing, mentoring, and believing that Nigeria’s story matters. I have won awards, written books, and sparked debates.

But the best award is the one I can’t hold: knowing that my storytelling has helped, in some small way, to better understand Nigeria and strengthen our commitment to its future.

You have the same chance. Your story, told truthfully, at the right time, and turned into action, can shape future leadership. Don’t waste it.

The Story Goes On

The story isn’t over. I challenge you to tell it. Nigeria’s story isn’t finished. The question is: what kind of story will we create together, and what kind of leadership will that story lead to?

I believe in Nigeria not because it is perfect, but because its story continues to unfold. I believe in leadership not because leaders are without flaws, but because leaders who tell the right stories can inspire imperfect people to achieve great things.

Learn to share stories that matter. Share stories that inspire. Share stories that make future leaders proud of the groundwork you laid today. It’s your life. It’s your story. Tell it. Live it!