by Dolapo Aina

It is perilous to put an ambitious man in office. Ambitious men enjoy the powers that money or authority gives. They lobby for promotion and are carnally minded. This kind of attitude is strongly discouraged by the scripture (1 Peter 5;2-3). God and men are constantly searching for leaders who are wiling to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience. There is a rising need for leadership that is authoritative, spiritual and sacrificial-Pastor E.A. Adeboye

I had heard about Femi Kuti’s album (No place for my dreams) but my first encounter with the album was on a RwandAir flight from Lagos to Kigali. As a World Music aficionado; the album is a classic; track seven is a masterpiece (and it was on repeat till my arrival in Kigali). And the title of track 7? Politics Na Big Business-a perfect sound track for this article (if ever there were such), I dare quip.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; the season of the bon-ton (crème de la crème) political praise singers and yeomen whose responsibility it is; to ensure that political aspirants are deodorized with sublime praises and oratories while singing tunes like “You are the only one that can rule Nigeria; because you are the only anointed messiah; anointed by Jehovah”. (Somebody shout Halleluja!)

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where as Dr Myles Munroe posited in his book-The Power of Character in Leadership; “leaders who don’t understand their inherent purpose and worth have difficulty being humble because they often need reassurance through the praise of others. But leaders of principle have found something greater than other people’s accolades. They have found a personal “assignment” or vision and they are busy pursuing it. They are occupied with being what they were created to be, so they don’t feel a need to be continually puffed up by others.”

The season of the Hallelujah boys has begun; where a large chunk of the voting populace respond to politicians based on what their promises (which are as worthless as the Zimbabwean Dollar) and instantaneous hand-outs of packaged bags of rice, vegetable cooking oil et al rather than on what the politicians value. A season where shifting of support based on promises rather than proven antecedents and most especially character. Ekiti State is reaping the reward of the aforementioned scenario.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where politicians dressed in their well-pressed and flowing traditional attires, commence the art of political jumpology, political somersaults, back and front flips (like skilful martial artists), and the yet to be FIFA approved “all season transfer window” where at the slightest opportunity politicians dive from one political boat to another; not giving a hoot whose ox is gored and not caring if their attires are/were entangled or drenched. Succinctly put, these hallelujah boys are professional nomadic politicians relocating (at times) without their stomach-infrastructure focused or worried flock.    

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where the appropriate machineries would be put in place to ignite fruitless controversies and unproductive activities by self-serving politicians and their political thugs. A season where indigenous variant politicians without credibility would transmogrify into political angels, saints and monks.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where a lot of political players and fans would be suffering from political phantasmagoria and eulogizing the political absurdity of political villains and Minotaurs. The season is here, where professional politicians would try without fail to deflect a straight to the groin articulations of the failures and only embrace the possible successes of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where political bigwigs would unabashedly go about with giant bells (the type found in Nigerian indigenous white garment churches) proselytizing the great deeds their parties failed to accomplish but would get to execute once they get back to the corridors of power (ready-made speech for a gullible electorate or a classic case of con-men?). A season where the politicians know that the nation has institutions which don’t work and some times you are tempted to think the electorate doesn’t care; for some nonchalantly mutter and have the “na my papa get am?” syndrome.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where the enthronement of mediocrity has brewed and has already been served wholeheartedly and with glee. How else would one explain the political rallies in violation of the electoral body’s rules and regulations? And the Czar of the electoral process has been mute on this.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where a majority of the citizenry would be caught up (as usual) in the wrong conversations of tribe rather than nation. Issues of tribe, federal, state and local character parameters taking precedence over credibility and expertise. Unfortunately, the best for the office is sitting just the corner and might not be interested in Nigerian Politics as seen in Ekiti State which is believed to have the largest concentration of professors and PhD holders in the South.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where some politicians’ speeches would be full of/filled with deceit. And as Ben McIntyre wrote in his book on World War 2 espionage-Operation Mincement- Deceptions in the war room, boardroom (may I add political space) and bedroom, usually unravel because the deceiver lets down his guard, and makes the simple mistake of telling or revealing the truth.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where political campaigns would be centered on slogans like “the other party mustn’t get into office” and “we would provide electricity, water, good roads for my people”. But in a country where institutions don’t work; aren’t these basic rights to be enjoyed by citizens of Nigeria?

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where unprincipled politicians are petrified of being held accountable, so they avoid public evaluation whenever possible. But the electorate; do recognize that a principled leader welcomes this process of accountability. A sincere politician desires to have his or her values tested for consistency. Nigerians would love some intellectual discourse via televised un-orchestrated debates.

The season of the hallelujah boys has begun; where a careful observer would realise that the country is a religious country full of religious politicians and electorate but without Godliness. And this nation needs to do more of Godliness than religion. This nation and the electorate need to nip in the bud; the art of short-termism like corruption, stealing of government funds, stomach infrastructure and begin to embrace the long term approach-nation building, nationhood and her attendant benefits.

A story goes thus that Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous military leader and former emperor of France, made a telling comment as he sat out his second exile on the island of Elba, lamenting his fall from power. He said that the people of France had wanted him to be another George Washington(who resigned after his second term but could have continued if he wanted to). But he (Napoleon Bonaparte) couldn’t do it. Because he loved power, he never would have given it up on his own accord.

Politics, the way it is played out in Nigeria can’t be sustained and as Francis Bacon quote goes- “He that will not apply new remedies, must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.”

A writer once wrote that “we learn from history that we don’t learn from history”. Emerging Nigerian leaders should work for the benefit of others (the citizenry) rather than for personal gains.

But listening to the lyrics of track seven of Femi Kuti’s No Place for my Dream; you can’t fail to realize that in Nigeria; politics na big business.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.