Philosopher-Kings in Post-independent Africa: Myth or Reality!

Wogu, Ikedinachi Ayodele Power and Olukotun, A. and Folarin, S. F. and Olu-Owolabi, F. E and Sholarin, M. A. and Elegbeleye, A. and Agoha, Benedict Emerenwa (2017) Philosopher-Kings in Post-independent Africa: Myth or Reality! International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS),, 4 (3). pp. 37-48. ISSN 2348 – 0343

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Abstract

Previous studies on the subject of leadership crisis among post independent African states, identified the likes of: Igwe,Ugowe,Lwanda, Birmingham, Olisa, Mwakikagile, and Sanders as some of the contemporary scholars who promoted arguments supporting the claims that Banda, Nkrumah and Azikiwe - all first Presidents of their various nations - should necessarily be ascribed the title of ‘Philosopher-king’, on account of their past achievements and contributions to their nation. However, a critical examination of the dispositions of the African leaders in question, identified some contradictions inherent in the above claims, especially when considered from the criteria stipulated for ‘Philosopher-kings’ by Plato in The Republic. While adopting conceptual and contextual analytical methods for synthesizing and analysing relevant literature, texts and archival materials on the subject of African Philosophy; African leadership styles; and leadership crisis generally, this study focused on analysing critically, the claims which ascribed ‘Philosopher-king’ titles to these post independent African leaders, with the view to affirming or negating the proposed claims by these contemporary scholars. The study observed that the earlier claims made about the postindependent African leaders under review, were largely erroneous, baseless, misleading, and unfounded. It is more of a myth than reality

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	African leaders, African Philosophy, Leadership Crisis, Philosopher-Kings, Plato’s Republic,Post-independence
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	31 Aug 2017 16:04
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2017 16:04
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/9050

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