I understand up to 28 aspirants have picked forms to contest the primary election in anticipation of becoming governor of Ekiti State on the platform of APC. I have taken time to wonder why we should have so many people contesting from a party. But I remember that every child is a champion as far as the mother is concerned until otherwise proven. By the time we add candidates from other parties, we could even have up to 50 Ekiti sons (perhaps daughters) praying to God for the number one position in the state! Why? Even if you don’t agree with all, you would agree with some of the reasons below.
Ekiti State (aka Fountain of Knowledge) arguably has some of the best brains in Nigeria. The candidates are well educated and running through the list, I know many of the candidates are more educated and enlightened than the best some states can offer. As good as this may sound, it is always a problem getting a leader in a group where each member is a sage!
We all know we have been denied good governance for years. Naturally, there would be many people willing to “save” the state. Time however would tell how many of the “saviours” are genuine. The love exhibited taking care of chicken may not be unconnected with the plan to fatten them before being barbecued.
“Political Promotion” is a reason. No one wants to be stagnant. Politics is more or less a career for most politicians in this part of the world and that’s why senators want to be governors and thereafter, they’ll gun for the presidency. We can only pray that many would realise it is not all living things that climb a tree to the uppermost branch and leaf!
The state of the economy is also a reason. No good job, businesses are folding up. Without carrying arms, is there a better way to quick wealth cum popularity? How many incorruptible Managing Directors of banks or biggest corporations earn what a Nigerian senator earns? One would sweat blood to be rich as many of our politicians and at the same time enjoy such popularity and pageantry their offices attract! When the Sun of righteousness shines, we shall see what happens to the houses being built with ice flakes!
Before I forget, there are always “uncompleted assignments” which people who have been in power before would want to come back to finish. If governor Fayose could “reincarnate” to complete his second term, why wouldn’t former governor Fayemi? History has commenced judging whether these second comings are blessings or curse to the people who make it possible.
We know some have “made it” on their own and they are not contesting for any pecuniary gain. The money is there but there’s this thirst for power. Without it, self-actualisation (per Abraham Maslow’s theory) would not be there! What an opportunity for opportunists to make money from such by singing their praises even before they get near the throne! Perhaps it is a form of “redistribution of wealth”! We could need such to use the qualities that made them great to do good job but we need to know that a board room maestro may be a mere puppet in the hands of many “evil servants” in public service!
Power is sweet and addictive. Many of us may remember a governor who said only someone who fails repeats a class and that he would not do more than a term. Did he stop? If the constitution allowed a third term, he would have possibly gone for it!
There are always would-be beneficiaries who would push the nearest politicians so as to widen their domain and areas of dominion. Any politician can be fooled once you give an assurance to help him / her realise the burning ambition to govern a state or Nigeria. They can easily be led like a lamb to the abattoir!
Does it mean there are no selfless politicians? There are a few who have the power of love and not love of power. Their intentions are genuine and their motivation crystal clear. They simply want to serve; not in words or slogan. They mean business. They want to make life better for all. If up to 10% of political aspirants in Nigeria fall into this class, we should have at least 90% reduction in our woes as a nation in my candid view.
What saddens my heart is that the few people who are willing to serve hardly have a mentality of throwing money around to buy votes since they don’t want to run “at all cost”. My Ekiti-born landlord sold the Lagos apartment I rented years ago so as to have funds to contest, having exhausted his savings paying at least N20k to each voter so as to win the primary! Unfortunately, his party lost the election and I lost the accommodation!
As a nation, we surely need to work on the mental state of our people whose birth right is valueless. A drowning man would reach out to any straw for support. Unless the issue of hunger is dealt with, money would keep remaining the determinant of winning elections in Nigeria! I believe the vicious circle of poverty can be broken if and only if we can support the right candidates without making them drain their bank accounts! If our consciences and votes are not bought with money but perceived sincerity and ability to perform, then we win!
