Politics

I saw a definition of Politics which said: Politics can be defined as social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power. It goes on to say politics can often be counter-productive. Unfortunately, I am indifferent to this definition, looking at politics from a nationalistic and personal point of view, I believe politics is and should be a lot of self ambition mixed with and tempered by a desire to achieve a greater good for the populace. I have so many different views on this topic and to write all of them down at once will be a serious injustice to myself and whoever I hope reads this.

As we all know we are fast approaching an election year. There has been an increase in declarations by individuals hoping to run for public offices. Its September 2010 and the candidates for an April 2011 election are just declaring. I spare a thought for the incumbents, as the task of running a government and a campaign at the same time can be a really daunting task. However, its safe for me to judge from our history that its the norm. Allow me to deviate, I need to do this so I can get across the ‘x’ of this post, I have often heard a quote and I paraphrase here, it goes thus; those who neglect history are confined to make the mistakes of the past. Also, its never a good thing to get stuck in the past and keep rehashing old wounds and past conflicts. There has to be a balance, learn from the past, take those experiences and forge ahead. This will form the platform of my posts regarding politics and Nigeria.

Now back to the general elections coming up, I have compared and contrasted the difference between our general elections and that of the USA, before anyone bites my head off, I appreciate that we are not on the same level but its safe to say that we can learn a thing or two from them. My bone of contention is this, as Nigerians we were deeply fascinated by the primaries, yes primaries of both major parties. How many of us had parents, friends or colleagues who kept buzzing about the charismatic young black presidential hopeful from the democratic party and his chances or the political machine that is the Clinton’s? The old war hero for the republicans (I have always been fascinated by the democratic party-Bill Clinton is an idol of mine- hence the lack of knowledge about the republican candidates). The point I’m trying to make is a year to the general elections, the world was buzzing about the various candidates. What we get here is a debate on if IBB will run or not, 6 months to the elections. I even followed the Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg saga in the UK. Are we as fascinated by our own elections?

The problem with our nation isn’t our government, its we the people. We lack the mentality needed to drive change, we fail to see past our day to day activities or our personal ambitions. A 5yr old kid in the US can recite the constitution to a considerable level, a 40yr old Nigerian doesn’t know and neither does he care about the constitution. There are two major parties in the US, democrats and republicans, the US is often said to be divided into blue or red state, Everyone knows the democrats are for a woman’s right to choose what she does with the life inside of her, republicans differ, the republicans support gun use, democrats are for gun control, on and on, you see how much I know about the US political system? I’m Nigerian and I know nothing about the political system here.

What can we say was the PDP’s stances are? or the ANPP? or ACN?(whatever it is they call themselves these days). At least, in developed countries, a candidates party can tell the populace what to expect. Of course, persons are allowed diversity in thinking, for instance, Barrack Obama is anti-abortion in a party that is famously pro-choice. Its up to the Nigerian people to demand better from the political parties. Let us know their ideologies, where they stand on a number of pressing issues such as transportation, tax, public service, public amenities and so on. I laugh when I remember that there is a Labour party in Nigeria (Adams Oshiomole was elected to the Edo state government from this party), now Labour parties are historically socialist in nature, are we then correct to say that the Edo State Government has introduced socialist policies in the state and is this what the masses want.

We need to enlighten ourselves and demand better because we are a nation of great potential but like the parable of the servant who hid his talents, hidden potential is of no good to anyone, so why should the worlds most populous black nation hide its true potential. Let us have a renewed sense of social consciousness and a willingness to temper personal ambition with a desire to do good. Politics isn’t for the politician, its for the layman, the student, the worker, the villager, the city big shot. When its all said and done, the leaders always come from amongst us in on way or another. Its time for us to rise as a nation.

I do not presume to know the half of the world of politics, However this will be the first on a series of posts about politics.