The sins of our political elite

BY VICTOR NKEREUWEM

Politics is said to be a dirty game, other  says it is not, and that what they see as the dirty aspect of it is the role some characters play in the game.

Plain and simple, the same route that you see in politics today is what is seen in every other spheres of human endeavour.

It is said that man is a political animal, while some are active politicians, some others are more passive.  Inevitably, those who wield state power, who govern, come from the active members of the polity also known as the political elite while the governed otherwise popularly referred to as the people or masses are the more passive members.

Today, it is a fact that here, state power has been used mostly unjustly by active politicians who capture it, the political elite who find themselves in government and strategic positions by chance have not just maltreated weaker active politicians but worst of all, when the burden befall on passive politicians, the masses.  No doubt people do say that the sins of the Nigerian political elites against ordinary citizens and indeed the state are legion.  

The opportune political elite oppressed and perpetrate injustices against the commoners is bad enough but to expect the injured citizens to accept the injury inflict on them in good faith.

It is common in our system today for instance to see rascals who is ready to rig election, telling the victim of their robbery to accept the result in good faith, this is often uttered by men and women who not only come to power crookedly but are busy pillaging the public till to the detriment of the rest of the citizenry.

It must be noted that the origin of politics has absolutely nothing to do with the way some uncultured politicians practice it today, let not classified it based on the “winner takes it all”.  The word politics according to the Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary are the activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society positively.  From the above mentioned definition, it is openly clear that politics directly affect the life of a people positively.  The word politics determine whether roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, electricity, pipe borne water and all other developmental projects which can make life meaningful are available to the masses.  It also determines how the society is run, how the powers and resources of a state is managed.  If the state is run properly by the political animal of the higher class, the people at the grassroots are happy and uplifted that a credible hand is running the affair, if not they are doomed.  No wonder the influence of politics transcends the physical.  It also touches the spiritual and indeed the soul.

It is quite difficult to sincerely contemplate the things of the spirit amidst severe material deprivation.  Therefore politicians who foist material hardship on their people also harm them spiritually.  There is absolutely nothing game-like about politics and it need not be left in the hands of incompetent souls.  As the effects of politics and political wickedness bit even harder, it is time all good men and women awake from their slumber.  As we are nursing a new year and getting ready to conduct the very first of election in 2015, never again should dark-souls politicians, incompetent, irresponsible and dishonourable characters be allowed to occupy leadership positions.  Those of us currently enjoying leadership unjustly through election malpractice, and those who are pursuing various offices in this year’s election, politics should not be seen as a “life and death” affair; rather we should look at it as a call to service which every single decision we take count.

As 2015 elections approaches, all hands must be on deck to welcome peace and shun violence. Nigeria is a beautiful country, before now, election riggings have dealt a huge blow and left a scar on development and democracy of this country, Nigeria’s elections so far have not lived up to expectations due to various forms of electoral manipulations which have denied the country credible leaders.  This has not only marred democratic consolidation in the country, but has also killed the dreams of quality rulers and has also violated the fundamental human rights of so many Nigerians.

It has also resulted into the imposition of corrupt and illegitimate leaders who have no regard to the principles of democracy which are off-shoots for good governance, rule of law, constitutionalism and fundamental human rights.
We must all learn from the later former President of South Africa, Dr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and imbibe some of his traits and do better for our country Nigeria.

Empathy, accountability, confidence, optimism, honesty and focus are some of the attributes of a quality politician.

Nigerians are politically conscious when it comes to choosing their representatives irrespective of religious and ethnic sentiments, even in the eyes of international observers, Nigerians must vote based on their assessment and performance of whoever should come on board.

We have no home except Nigeria, as a rebranded country, let who we want be a brand, just like the rebranding slogan of Late Madam Dora Akunyili, former Minister of Information and Communications, Nigeria, good people, great nation.