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I planned to open the 2017 account of this column differently. But, Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki of Ekiti Central Senatorial District forced this volte-face by her interview with the caption, ‘Square pegs in round holes drawing Nigeria back’, published in this paper penultimate Monday. I was moved by the messenger, her message, its timing, imperativeness and what I call the ‘chronicality’ of the central theme. The success of Nigeria is dependent on what we do with power!
But, what power? That’s not a dumb question because during the Goodluck Jonathan 23rd of March, 2013 interview with Christiane Amanpour on CNN, the latter had to interject to clarify that ‘power’ meant electricity. This context decodes the same word as political office.
Nigerians grumble about our brothers and sisters or – as things stand now – our (grand)parents in power, perpetually drawing blank over basic equations of leadership. As a Nigerian, who has had the privilege of watching and listening to power from a vantage point, I often wonder why these guys think, talk and act the way they do. I have had to wax superstitious to the extent of arguing with myself if an imp doesn’t exist in every political seat in Nigeria; an imp that transmogrifies good people into demons.
And, as with all spiritual matters, a silly mental debate always ensues: Is there just one ubiquitous imp? If so, is it so powerful that the prayers of our teeming men, women, boys and girls of God cannot exorcise it? Or, does this require something other than prayers? On the other hand, if our political principalities are tormented by different imps, why do they carry on like congregants under the spell of one evil spirit; betraying such identical symptoms as empty arrogance, puerile pretence and crass daredevilry?
Still, what’s woven into a complex mass remains a piece of cake like ABC. No spiritual solution is further required to remove the wedge, which has kept our politics from transforming our country. In fact, political officers have had too much of spiritual backing, considering that our people who gather daily in the church, mosque and allied worship centres that inundate the landscape spend quality time ‘praying for those in authority’.
Why do all these prayers have no effect on our leadership drivers? John 5:2-8 tells the story of a cripple by the pool of Bethesda, who believed that healing was only possible if someone pushed him into the water at a set time. After nearly four decades, he got healed without the water!
This biblical man reminds me of Nigeria that has squandered decades in one forlorn direction; ignoring admonition upon admonition, a disobedience that has caused her affliction to arise umpteenth times. However, this country cannot continue to languish by the pool in the name of expecting healing. Exodus 14:15-16 conveys God’s verdict in this matter: ‘… Why do you cry to me? Tell the people … to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, …’ (ESV).
Clearly, Nigeria’s political prayers had long been answered. What remains is for Nigerians to act. We need to go forward via Power 101, which itemises the five stops our power chiefs must make for Nigeria to el doradolise, politically:
One, stop playing God: No human being is or can be God. God cannot be (s)elected or appointed. God has no tenure. It’s silly for office holders to play God when their end comes sooner or later. Sans playing God, leaders receive godly grace to be humble, blessed, focused, humane and posterity-conscious.
Two, stop propaganda: Lies are a silly shot in the foot. They alienate followers. Political officers, who have spun so much propaganda not only attract hate and disrespect, but also doubt during the few occasions of truth-telling. This hurts governmental ratings, and could cost chief executives their seats. So much untapped benefits from being open to your followers!
Three, stop creating enemies: Blackmail walks on all fours in our corridors and bedrooms of power. It’s silly to ‘descend’ on a follower, without as much as crosschecking the tale. Such a leader loses the moral authority to lead and falls to the same level with or under the victim. Reason most ‘kings’ appear too ordinary in the eyes of some ‘subjects’. Confront before punishing!
Four, stop promoting relationship over excellence: As long as nepotism, cronyism or such other silly familiarities keep eclipsing quality in our public service, all-round mediocrity shall remain our harvest. If blood or friend is qualified for the job, good; if not, don’t. Clean up, so you don’t while away your tenure and retirement in frustration, disappointment and mockery.
And, five, stop the shamelessness. Eschew corruption, the occult, superiority complex, etc. Just as you shouldn’t be our king today and tomorrow a thief, heading to jail, you cannot expect progress when you worship a silly god that your followers abhor. Allow no skeleton in the cupboard.
That’s Power 101, an introduction to the sanctification of our political offices. Leadership doesn’t confer superiority. If anything, it admits to servanthood. God bless Nigeria!
Golden citizen award
Since the current tenancy of Aso Rock started counting, there’s been a drastic drop in the number of people speaking truth to power. In fact, the remnants aren’t up to the fingers on one hand. Azonto dancers of the recent past can’t afford an encore now due to the body language of ‘the new sheriff in town’.
There exists a few last men standing, though; one or two of whom speak only political truth. They are not for the people; because if they change camps tomorrow, they would also change tunes. But, there is, at least, one man who’s remained true: to his calling (growing Catholicism in uncharted territory); to ‘his friends’ (in and out of power or even in jail); and to speaking truth to power (clean and unassailable).
Good People of Nigeria, please, rise and let’s honour of the spokesman of the masses, the Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, who two Sundays ago told Sunday Sun that those angling to ‘build a new house’ (that is, mega party) should rather ‘fix the leaking roof’. Nigerians want leaders, not politicians. Congratulations, Bishop Golden Citizen!
Booby prize of the week
Of the many lined up for this award of shame, only two made the shortlist. One is a south-south governor who has forgotten that in this change era, carrot and stick go together. That Abuja renovation is in order but quit notice in a fortnight is tyrannical. Did Your Excellency ask the six employees (who all hail from your state) if they could afford the relocation? Yellow card.
This week, this unenviable award goes to our prison system. No, this is not about the Nigerian Prison Service. They are making the best of what’s clearly a horrible situation. My grouse is about the system. Innocent Nigerians languish in jail for decades in the name of awaiting trial. This injustice breaks my heart. Let this public-disgrace-award compel a high-powered committee to move from prison to prison, and right these wrongs. The time to release Nigeria from jail is now!
