Anthony Onwuka: Akobundu: An officer, a gentleman, and a statesman   

Nigeria has, in the last decade, been fighting insurgency in various parts of the country, losing scores of military personnel in the process while thousands of civilians have also lost their lives. This has thrown up a humanitarian crisis akin to a refugee scene in a war situation.

The failure of the military to defeat these agents of death so far stems from the lack of willpower by the government to decimate the evil making Nigeria vulnerable in the face of threats by persons who have little or no training in military warfare compared to our gallant soldiers who have passed through requisite training.

The hallmark of this is poor operational tactics deployed by our leaders in the fight, which James Stavridis, a retired four-star U.S. Navy Admiral, who is now the Chair of the Rockefeller Foundation, carefully summarized thus: “You can’t kill your way to success in counter-insurgency effort. You have to protect the people, get the civil and military balance, train the locals, and practice effective strategic communication.”

This is what has been lacking over the years, as the insurgents or terrorists keep over-running communities at will, forcing the locals to pay taxes to them in exchange for access to their farmlands. This is without interference from our security agencies who appear battle-weary as a result of their protracted counter-insurgency efforts and barely able to withstand the firepower of the deadly agents of terror.

As 2027 draws near and the country is in search of patriotic leaders, leaders who would serve with intelligence and sincerity of purpose, Senator Austin Akobundu is one of many such men from the South East. His future is possible beyond the Red Chambers of our National Assembly.

He possesses a combination of physical, mental, and moral qualities, including strength, resilience, discipline, strategic thinking, and a strong ethical foundation in the military and an admixture of the civil background as senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District. Qualities that, if given higher responsibilities, could come to bear in bringing the cankerworm of insecurity to extinction.

Since arriving in the Senate, Distinguished Senator Austin Akobundu, has indeed distinguished himself as a man of valour, honour, and principle, and is by all intent and purposes an embodiment of what leadership should be: rooted in service, guided by conviction, and anchored in truth.

As the country searches for voices of reason and action, one can not overlook a personality in the mould of Senator Akobundu whose leadership style is driven by principle rather than opportunism.

In a nation plagued by failed promises and recurring betrayals, his consistency and vision should be harnessed in larger national assignments.

In Senator Akobundu, we see not just a capable senator but a future statesman whose contributions should not be limited. His rising profile is not a coincidence; it is a recognition of his quiet strength and dependable leadership, of which Nigerians should take advantage.

Chief Anthony Onwuka Ph.D, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja