INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue I, January 2025
www.ijltemas.in Page 346
Leadership and Followership Dynamism among Ebira Tao People
in Nigeria: Asocio Ethical Perspective
Idah Florence Abiola & Taiwo Bamike
Department Of Arts and Social Sciences, School Of Preliminary Studies, Itakpe Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2025.1401037
Received: 06 February 2025; Accepted: 11 February 2025; Published: 22 February 2025
Abstract: The Ebira-tao people of Nigeria, comprising predominantly peasant masses, unemployed youths, and struggling
graduates, face significant socio-political challenges rooted in leadership and followership dynamics. While previous studies have
largely emphasized leadership failures, this research examines the shared responsibilities of leaders and followers, identifying the
underlying causes and impacts of maladministration. Using Burn's Transformational Leadership Theory, which advocates for
mutual moral and motivational elevation between leaders and followers, the study employed a mixed-method approach. Data
were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires administered to key informants, including local
government officials, traditional rulers, and religious leaders. Out of 430 distributed questionnaires, 400 were properly filled and
analyzed, revealing that self-interest, lack of vision, corruption, inefficient social policies, and socio-political unrest were primary
contributors to governance failure among the Ebira-tao people. The study found that bad governance has led to socio-ethical
consequences such as poverty, moral decay, and socio-political instability. Respondents highlighted that the empowerment of
morally deficient individuals and poor advisory structures have further exacerbated these issues, drawing parallels with the reign
of King Rehoboam in biblical times. To address these challenges, the study recommends moral re-orientation and socio-political
reconstruction for leaders and followers alike, emphasizing the need for accountability, vision, and ethical governance to achieve
sustainable development and improve the quality of life for the Ebira-tao people.
I. Background to the Study
Leadership has been defined as a process whereby a leader influences a group of followers to achieve common goal.
1
Also,
leadership is the process of social influence that directs the actions and the activities of a group towards their shared goal. Leaders
have socio-ethical responsibilities to pay attention to the mutual needs cum common goals that exist between them and the
followers, instead of seeking their own interest alone.
2
This assertion tends to oblige the society the duty and responsibilities of a
leader with the sole aim of achieving enviable success through collective responsive mission. It is imperative to note here that, a
leader cannot achieve anything without followers with whom duties are shared and responsibilities carried out for the greater
good of all and the good of such society or nation.
3
Followership is the other side of leadership, and in fact, an indispensable
aspect of leadership. Followership means following direction, and absorbing information in order to work collaboratively as a
team, to accomplish certain goals.
4
The concept of followership extends to include the ability to behave appropriately, to do the
right thing, and to carry oneself in an honorable way in the world.
5
Followership is important, and justifies the necessity and the
relevancy of leadership in the first place, and as well, underscores an important dyadic relationship that exists between leaders
and followers.
6
Elaborating on the dignity and beauty evident in the art of followership, Riggio, Chaleff and Lipman-Blumen
argued that great followers make great leaders and great organizations, a statement of fact that locates effective followership
within the context of great leadership. Therefore, effective collaboration between leaders and followers is both necessary and
compulsorily important in order to accomplish common goals. It is a shared responsibility.
7
One may infer that leadership and
followership are interactive phenomenon that works in the interest of the people and the greater good of the community. This is
seen in the submission of Riggio, Chaleff and Lipman-Blumen who argued that great followers make great leaders and great
organizations.
8
This act justifies that both phenomena are important and relevant for the sustenance and development cum
advancement of any society. However, one of the biggest problems evident in Nigerian leadership and followership is anchored in
their erroneous worldviews, beliefs, and assumptions on the meaning and the context of leadership; worldviews that detach and
distant values and servanthood from the meaning and the context of leadership, which translate to misconduct, unethical
behaviour, and leadership crisis.
9
In other words, to lead is to serve, and both leaders and followers work collaboratively to
effectively accomplish the common goal of the country; a dyadic relationship that is grounded in mutual empowerment of both
parties.
10
It is not uncommon to see various credible criticisms and blames on Nigerian leadership about the deplorable state of the
country. And, it is unpopular to extend the same criticisms to followership or to the citizens of the country.
11
Indeed, a follower
today could be a leader tomorrow. Leaders influence and empower followers toward accomplishing common goals, and followers
in return, influence, empower, and contribute to effective and successful leadership.
12
Burns echoed the idea that new leadership always emerges from the followers, that is, (the citizens). A leader with selfish and
dishonest ambition, and erroneous belief and worldview on leadership, is a dangerous man, and a total disservice to the citizens.
13
Also, a citizen today who possesses erroneous worldview on leadership, and a selfish ambition of embezzlement of public fund,
will become a dishonest and a crooked leader tomorrow, for people do not usually give what they do not have.
14
That is the
reason why values, morals, and worldviews are central to good leadership and good followership as well.
15
Worldview is the
fundamental and the foundational drive behind our cultural and personal beliefs.
16
Worldview is the conglomeration of the
assumptions, and beliefs that influence the way we think and behave, and as well, determine our thoughts and behavior. The