Inherited Challenges Or Passing The Buck? Why Politicians’ Excuses For Bad Governance Don’t Hold Water, by Isaac Asabor

One of the most recurrent refrains heard from Nigerian politicians, when confronted with their inefficacy, is that they “inherited challenges” from their predecessors. Whether it is the presidency or state governorships, this excuse has been wheeled out so frequently that it has become a shield for deflecting criticism of poor governance. However, while this reasoning might sound logical at first glance, it is a flimsy and untenable excuse. It betrays a lack of accountability and an unwillingness to rise to the task of governance.

Every leader, whether in government or private sector, inevitably inherits problems. That is for sure.  Challenges, after all, are part and parcel of governance. They should not come as a surprise. The mandate given to politicians through elections is to fix problems, not to lament them. People do not elect leaders to remind them of how difficult the situation is; they elect leaders to improve their lives and conditions.

Leaders such as Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore or Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States faced enormous crises when they took power, yet they steered their nations toward unprecedented growth and prosperity. They did not dwell on the missteps of their predecessors; instead, they confronted the challenges head-on, employing visionary thinking and bold strategies.

The current crop of Nigerian politicians, however, seems more interested in passing the buck than shouldering responsibility. Instead of stepping up with solutions, they quickly point fingers, hoping that deflecting blame will keep the people satisfied. This tactic might buy time, but it does little to solve the actual problems at hand.

What makes this excuse even more unpalatable is the contrast between the campaign promises made by politicians and their later claims of inherited problems. During campaigns, they paint rosy pictures, promising to transform everything from the economy to infrastructure. They speak confidently about their ability to tackle unemployment, security, inflation, and other pressing concerns.

Yet, once elected, the narrative swiftly shifts. Suddenly, the problems they promised to solve become overwhelming, and their predecessors are blamed for leaving behind a mess. This is not just disingenuous; it is a betrayal of the trust the people placed in them. The electorate voted for these leaders precisely because they believed in their promises to fix the nation’s problems. To turn around and blame others is to insult the intelligence of the very people who gave them the mandate to govern.

The truth is that no administration, anywhere in the world, starts with a blank slate. All governments inherit both assets and liabilities from their predecessors. The very notion that challenges are “inherited” is therefore irrelevant, because governance is a continuum. Problems will always exist, but it is the duty of leadership to tackle them.

Moreover, these so-called “inherited challenges” are often predictable. From infrastructural decay to economic recession, from insecurity to unemployment, these issues did not suddenly materialize when a new leader took office. They have been longstanding problems in the country. Any politician worth his or her salt should have already considered these challenges and crafted solutions long before taking the oath of office.

The reality is that many politicians lack the vision or political will to address the systemic problems plaguing the country. They are more interested in political survival and personal enrichment than in implementing bold reforms. By blaming their predecessors, they absolve themselves of accountability while hoping that the public’s short memory will allow them to escape scrutiny.

Politicians in other parts of the world also inherit challenges from their predecessors, but they do not resort to using this as a blanket excuse for underperformance. In fact, it is common for incoming administrations in other countries to face significant hurdles, yet successful leaders take them in stride and offer a roadmap for progress.

Consider the example of South Africa post-apartheid. Nelson Mandela inherited a nation torn apart by decades of racial segregation and economic disparity. Rather than lamenting the atrocities of the past, he focused on nation-building, reconciliation, and laying the groundwork for a more unified and prosperous future. His leadership did not erase the immense challenges, but it did ensure that South Africa moved forward.

Another example is Germany after the reunification of East and West Germany. The economic burden of integrating two vastly different systems was staggering, yet the country’s leaders did not use this as an excuse for economic failure. They rolled up their sleeves and took on the challenges with strategic planning, investment, and vision.

Ultimately, leadership is about responsibility. When leaders blame others for their failures, they are dodging the very essence of governance, which is accountability. Politicians must understand that public office is a trust, and the people expect results, not excuses. By continuously pointing fingers, they not only erode public confidence in government but also risk worsening the very problems they are supposed to solve.

The true measure of a leader is not how well they can shift blame but how well they can rise above challenges and find solutions. Nigerians, like citizens of every country, deserve leaders who are willing to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes. Leaders must recognize that the clock starts ticking the moment they assume office, and from that point onward, the state of the nation becomes their responsibility.

When politicians use the “inherited problems” excuse, the result is often stagnation. Problems persist, conditions worsen, and the people suffer. The excuse creates a culture of inertia, where no progress is made because the focus is on explaining away failure rather than finding ways to succeed.

This culture of excuse-making trickles down through various levels of governance. Ministries and government agencies, seeing that the leadership is quick to shift blame, also adopt a similar mindset. The result is a government that is more concerned with justifying its shortcomings than with delivering meaningful results.

Nigeria is at a critical juncture. The challenges facing the country are deep and complex, from poverty and unemployment to insecurity and infrastructural decay. The solutions will not come from pointing fingers or playing the blame game. They will come from leadership that is bold, creative, and willing to take responsibility.

Politicians must understand that the era of excuses is over. The people are no longer satisfied with hearing about “inherited challenges.” They want action, they want progress, and they want accountability. Leaders who continue to rely on the excuse of inherited problems will find themselves on the wrong side of history.

Now, more than ever, Nigeria needs leaders who will take charge, face the issues head-on, and work tirelessly to improve the lives of its citizens. There are no shortcuts to effective governance, and there are certainly no acceptable excuses for failure. It is time for leaders to stop passing the buck and start delivering real results.