A CALL TO POLITICAL WISDOM BY ESOSA OSA
Elections are coming again, and some of the political masquerades are gearing up for action. Yes, elections are coming, again, 2023 may seem far but for some of the disguised coup plotters who call themselves politicians, it is right around the corner. Those who put Nigeria on her knees are the same ones who are gradually showing interest for the top seat come 2023. But are these political mongers really worth our while?
As citizens we must be very circumspect in our choices of leaders and people we vote into positions of public trust and responsibility. Therefore we must evolve an irreducible standard that politicians must meet before we can consider them fit to occupy position of leadership and trust. Therefore, we must always refuse to be ruled by leaders who show signs of dementia or any psychologically and health challenges. We must withdraw support for people who use diabolical powers and then hide behind a religion to mask their dubious intentions
As Nigerians we must be smart and we must refuse to be a joke. Some of our leaders have proven to be the most confused people to surface this earth. The same people who build private schools while in office are the same ones, who go ahead to steal tax payers money meant to build hundreds of public schools. The same ones who speak against child marriage are the ones, who marry 16 years old as their 4th and 5th wives.
To crown it all, the same leaders who neglect the youths, and leaving them in deplorable conditions of unemployment also call them lazy. In Universities, certificates are issued to people of sound mind and good character, but how many of our leaders in the last few decades have exhibited these characteristics? Certainly only a very few, hence the reason for the economic degradation experienced by many for many years.
Nigeria is slowly becoming a country where before you dream, it is already crushed as a result of the unhealthy conditions of existence created by those in public office. Dreams mainly die in Nigeria as a result of mediocre leadership. I decided to not add any statistics to back up my points because the failure of governance over the years is so evidently manifest even to the blind. A great example is when you hear a certain man speak. After every of his speech, I usually ask myself, what did I just hear? What exactly did he say? And where do we go from here? So many questions that causes more confusion.
I will not be disrespectful if I say that I enjoy Primary school debate competitions better than I do for speeches of some of our leaders. If you watch the presidential debates of previous American elections, whether party or the main convention debates, you would be relatively impressed with the candidates’ knowledge of issues and the way they convey their ideas. Not too long ago, I watched the debate for the gubernatorial election of Anambra State, I was immensely disappointed but to be honest, I was not surprised as that is the level we have set for ourselves.
My hope remains that when Nigerians vote again, we will vote right. It is important that we pick a leader who is well knowledgeable about different spheres of our national life. The ones who are excellent and coherent in speech and not the ones who jump from point A to point Z, embarking on meaningless theatrics. Adams Oshiomole is a prime example. I sincerely hope that we do not vote for leaders who have planned to use the presidential villa as a retirement home, rather we should vote for leaders with a Sound Mind and Good Character to lead us well and aright.
**Esosa Osa, a graduate of mass communication from Covenant University lives in Lagos
