When compared to states like Anambra, Enugu State, I can say, is a toddler in the opposition game. For years, Enugu State has been hoodwinked into a cobweb of political timidity, monolithism and a fake notion of political homogeneity. But recent events seem to be sparking off a new lease of political renaissance which, I am afraid, may or may not pander out fine if care is not taken.
PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS
Every politician is governed by an ideology and every ideology is rooted in a philosophy— moral or amoral. I have had the occasion, very recently, to argue with some good brains on whether truly there is/should be morality in politics. Permit me to observe the negative influences of Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power. A few of these 48 laws assert their phenomenal manifestations even in the political architecture of Enugu State. I will mention just the predominant three:
1. Never outshine the master.
2. Conceal your intentions.
3. Crush your enemies completely.
A good look at the political climate of Enugu State in the past 7 years shows a number of influences of the above ideologies but I would prefer not to go into particulars in order to preserve the sanctity of this write-up as well as allow you to reflect and recollect going down memory lane.
FRONT BURNER ISSUES
A number of changes have been generally witnessed in the political space since the new Electoral Act emerged such as:
1. People now believe that their votes will count: Many politicians have hitherto enjoyed the political apathy among our people but that is no longer easy to afford. This is why they desperately lobby people to hand over their voter’s card and let the politicians/party stakeholders do the multiple voting for them. But it does seem now with the BIVAS biometric verification that whatever votes people cast would hit the INEC server in a matter of hours, and the deed is done.
2. People are now able to see some credible candidates to vote for: Formerly, it has remained nauseating to be left with one or two negative choices to make after the usual kangaroo party primaries. But with the emergence of saleable candidates like Peter Obi, many (especially Nigerian youths) are warming up to use the 2023 polls to continue and advance their aborted #EndSars protest.
3. A number of people especially in the Southeast are clearly OBIdient. But the degree of their OBIdience is subject to a number of vagaries. Some want to be OBIdient at the national level only. Some want to be fully OBIdient knowing that Peter Obi needs both Federal and State structures to be able to win and make any impact in the country. And this brings me back to the current political dilemma we are facing in Enugu State.
THE 3 DANGEROUS STRATEGIES
I see three dangerous political strategies currently at work against the will of the people in Enugu State:
1. KEEP THEM HUNGRY AND BEGGARLY: The stomach infrastructure now reigns more than the physical infrastructures. So much money is being shared rather than being invested. This is one of those issues Peter Obi has hammered so much on about governance.
2. KEEP THEIR PROPHETS SILENT: So much effort is being made to silence the eloquent and courageous priests. This is unfortunate but it is already working in Enugu State. Going by the restrictions of Canon 287, many Catholic priests are being cowed and discouraged to enlighten their Parishioners politically for fear of being accused of partisanship. Some others that have insisted on exercising their prophetic duties are, unfortunately, being lobbied systematically.
3. KEEP THE OPPOSITION DIVIDED: Presently, the opposition parties in Enugu State are saddled by a coterie of lies—what Francis Bacon calls “the idols of the market place”—and with rumours that sound real and believable but with the following dangerous consequences:
a) Some 1st generation/early members of the opposition family have been branded as moles before/to the Governor and illegally displaced, leaving them with no option than to resort to some legal fireworks in order to seek justice and redress.
b) Some late arrivals in the opposition race are coming with their political baggage and are trying to arm-twist the rest in sight of the goldfish while some of the party lords dictate their prices.
c) The Government now takes advantage of all these situations to release their financial war chest in what looks like ‘operation collect your own and fall in line’.
CONCLUSION
My advice is that we look at and to the future of our children and think beyond party interests. Let us remember that any leader we consider good to go at the national level needs both Federal and State Structures to be able to win and make a positive impact in a complex democratic system such as Nigeria’s. Let us think in new ways: new styles of legislation and representation. Let us give our youths a chance. Let us stop monetizing campaigns knowing that it has never helped Nigeria. Let us stop the war of lies and calumny. We can advertise our candidates without telling a lot of lies about his opponent. Most importantly, let us enjoy the opposition.
For me, it is fun watching the 7 sons of Jesse struggling for who should have the ‘Certificate of Return’ to go and fight their ‘Goliath’. When David is anointed, let the rest rally round him so that the victory will be a communal victory!
This is very ok
Thanks Padre for the exposition