A retired Major-General and Executive Secretary, Pan African Strategic and Policy Research  Group (PANAFSTRAG), Ishola Williams, has declared that leadership is not the problem of  Nigeria but followership.

Delivering a lecture on the theme: ”Nigeria at 50: Its leadership, Development and the  Future,” in Lagos, Gen. Williams said Nigerians should stop blaming the leaders for their  misfortunes.

“Until we see a shift in followership mentality and a sense of responsibility in knowing  that leadership failure in development is our fault, we shall continue to struggle with  development with bleak future,” he declared.

The lecture which was the 11th anniversary of the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture also witnessed  the presentation of prizes to winners of the 7th edition of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay  Competition.

Gen. Williams lamented that the field was not open for those the followers wanted for  leadership with empowered potentials to come forward.

”It is too restricted and the followers are to blame,” he said.

The retired general who said he made the use of Option A4 for next year’s election a  condition to accept the chairmanship of INEC when he was approached, described an empowering  leader as one who encourages self leadership and responsibility.