In search of politics of humanity
By the same token, the politician who loses election also runs away from the people because he no longer needs them with the crash of his ambition. In the course of the campaign, he may appear accessible, humble, affable and kind. But once he loses he election, he disappears into the thin air, rams his […]
By the same token, the politician who loses election also runs away from the people because he no longer needs them with the crash of his ambition. In the course of the campaign, he may appear accessible, humble, affable and kind. But once he loses he election, he disappears into the thin air, rams his doors against the people because they are no longer important to him because he lost his bid for power. Whether as winners or losers, politicians are ingrates by nature; they almost always have no good memory for tomorrow. While they can afford to lavish their girlfriends with expensive gifts, including buying them houses and state-of-the-art-cars, these politicians run away from the basic problems facing those who voted them into office and whose mandate they use to acquire overnight prosperity. Few months to their second term bids, these same ingrates will re-surface after hiding away from the people in posh hotels in Abuja and other major cities because they now desperately want to return to power.
How can democracy make positive impact on the people when the so-called elected leaders hardly identify with the needs of the voters after either winning or losing elections? Politics is not necessarily dirty per se; it is made dirty by the character of men who are entrusted with power. As Chief Richard Akinjide, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued, Nigeria ’s problem is not whether we are operating a bicameral or unicameral legislature. Instead, he said, the problem stems largely from the character of men and women being elected into power. Our legislators collect higher pay than British and American lawmakers where the GDP is by far bigger than Nigeria ’s. In fact, it is public knowledge that a Senator in Nigeria receives (not earns) N45 million per quarter, two times the salary of a U.S. President! Is democracy truly working in Nigeria? Well, it is working in their private pockets and in the lavish lifestyles of their girlfriends! Ironically, the voters continue to wallow in abject poverty while the elected leaders swim in obscene wealth.
However, despite the poor image of our politicians, there are still some of them who are truly committed to the happiness of humanity even after elections are gone. Although this category of politicians hardly make noise about their philanthropic activities, we have a duty to celebrate them. Any politician that remains committed to the needs of his people deserves a place in our hearts. As one wise man remarked, “prosperity is like manure; it is better when it is spread.” Selfish politicians should not be our role models for leadership.
In separating the grain from the chaff, one cannot but commend the former CPC gubernatorial candidate in Kano State , Alhaji Mohammed Abacha, who has not deserted the people, despite his inability to achieve his ambition. Even before his bid for power, Mohammed has always identified himself with humanitarian causes. And he has amazingly maintained this noble commitment. During the last Ramadan fasting period, he distributed thousands of bags of rice and other basic needs to the ordinary Muslims in Kano State. He maintains this tradition year after year and it continues to win him the affection of millions of ordinary people.
In fact, what many people may not realize is that Mohammed’s humanitarian sentiment is largely the source of his political strength. Within a relatively short space of time, he became the most popular CPC gubernatorial aspirant after his defection from the PDP. His love for the people is remarkable. While other selfish politicians have shut their doors against the people after the elections, Mohammed Abacha has remained with the voters. He is not like other politicians who are friends of convenience. Touching lives should be the essential character of genuine politicians.
There are millions who cannot have one hundred naira per day. In the face of this ugly reality, it is impossible to dismiss the significance of Mohammed’s humanitarian activities. He has demonstrated that he is not a selfish and fair-weather politician who only needs the people to advance his ambition but eventually abandons them when he loses the bid for power. He remains a faithful friend of the masses and he should be a source of inspiration to other politicians.
Rufai wrote from 122, Isa Kaita Road Kaduna. [email protected]