Temperament And Executive Decision-Making: a Comparative Analysis Of The Buhari And Jonathan Administrations

Abstract

Recognizing that leaders' innate behavioural patterns significantly shape their approaches to governance. This study examines the relationship between temperament and executive decision-making through a comparative analysis of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan administrations in Nigeria. It investigates how the differing temperaments of the two former presidents influenced their policy preference, and administrative style. While no formal psychological assessment was conducted, the study adopts a qualitative comparative analysis. It draws on existing literature, historical records, and publicly available materials to infer the temperamental profiles of both former leaders through the Four Temperament Theory. It then examines how these inferred temperaments may be reflected in policy decisions across key areas such as security, anti-corruption, and national unity. Findings indicate that policy preferences under Jonathan’s administration are characterized by tolerance, negotiation, and symbolic unity, while Buhari’s administration exhibits preference for assertive intervention and institutional enforcement, reflected in a shift from democratic style administration to authoritarian leaning execution. The study concludes that understanding presidential temperament is crucial for comprehending policy outcomes and offers insights for future leadership selection and training in Nigeria. Key recommendations include incorporating temperament assessments into presidential candidate selection processes and providing tailored leadership training for prospective national leaders.