POLITICS INSTEAD OF GOVERNANCE: The Nigeria Leaders Waywardness

By Gboyega Adetola

08166929704

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gboyejossef@gmail.com 

It has been an unfavorable experience  in our modern era that politics is made popular than good governance. The idea and reason is rather a bemusement. Good governance is the primary responsibility of the people in government as this is the only means of giving a quality of life which is the major expectation of the electorate. However, playing politics has thrown leadership into leading astray. 

In our dear nation, uncivilised mentality, black mind with selfish interest of the current socio-political leaders in acquiring personal wealth has been a bane to the common wealth of all. The trend of corruption in politics continues to get worse as we interchange from one Republic to another. In the long run, politics became the fastest means to acquire wealth and fame.

This idea of politics has birthed ill-fated situations such as vote buying, assassination, rituals, godftherism, arson, hooliganism, etc among all evils inherited as a result of playing politics and all in the name of getting to power at all cost. 

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Each Republic since 1979 has witnessed one or many of these in the past. Notable and well respected Nigerians have been assassinated, communities have been destroyed through arson. These could be attributed to poverty of the mind of both the leaders and the followers.

One hundred and ten years (110 yrs) after amalgamation and Sixty four years (64 yrs) after independence, a nation blessed with natural resources and many other fortunes in both human and materials are still wallowing in abject poverty amidst plenty. 

Though, the failure is not unconnected with the unruly interference of the young and inexperienced military boys in the national social-political and economic affairs in the past, but since the advent of the new democracy in 1999, Nigeria as a nation is still rudderless.

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The society became corrupt due to unsavoury politics being played by the politicians in other to be in position of power and affluence at all cost. When politics become a do or die affairs, then leadership turns ignominy.

Is politics a bad idea of producing leaders? 

The idea tends to become unfavourable to the society reason it is termed a dirty game by both the observers and the (players) politicians. The evidence is in the negative influence it has on the society and its ineffectiveness in delivering democracy dividends over the years.

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Playing politics means employing every means or ways to gain control of power, be in control of power, and remain in control of power. This can never encourage sincerity of mind to do the wish of the people who they are representing, rather it makes the elected ones satisfy the wishes of the few against the wish of the majority. Why is politics a hindrance to good governance? 

The following can be seen as part of the factors that contribute to the challenges our leaders face to deliver good governance.

1. Intra party crisis

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2. Godftherism influence 

3. Corruption of the elected leader

4. Leadership by chance 

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5. Corruption of the followers 

6. Appointment of aides/ public officers

These factors among all create threats one way or the other to the smooth running of government. Some Governors spend majority of their first term tenure in crisis. The whole tenure may therefore be wasted and lost to political frivolities instead of performance. One example is Governor Fubara of Rivers State and his estranged God father, Sen. Wike. The state government hardly experienced peace since the break up in agreement between the duo.

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Godftherism breeds corruption. It makes governance difficult as a result of the influence of the god father. This may unsettle any government no matter the good plan. Leaders have interest in their successor due to the reasons known to them. 

It may be due to mixed reasons as suggested below:

a. Trust to perform

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b. Continuity in policy

c. Loyalty 

d. Royalty 

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e. Continuous control of power.

These are both positive and negative reasons. However, politics at play make leaders choose reasons based on selfishness which makes the incumbent government often suffers setbacks.

Corruption and selfishness of both the leaders and followers seem to be the commonest factor. It is from the bottom of the pyramid and to the top. The society is entirely corrupt and people now see politics as a cheap means to quick wealth. 

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People compromise ideas because of their interests. It is hard nowadays to speak the truth but rather patch the truth to favour their social-political interests. It is politics and political when a leader think of his family and  community without considering others in area of development. 

Major aspirations of people is to make ends meet through politics at the expense of the populace and their betterment.

When a leader attained power by chance, he/she could only satisfy the few that make it possible. He is either unprepared, lacked focus or follow the status quo.

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According to Goodluck Jonathan in his recent statement in November last month, “One of the challenges of Nigeria leaders is appointment of public workers due to ethno diversity of the nation” On the other hand, many aides are appointed on compensation, reward or slots rather than merit to satisfy the will and also suit the party hierarchy. 

Even if they disappoint they still remain favorites. This system gives room to build loyalists who later form political propagandists, ego massagers and apologists which take centre stage in canvassing for a second term even when such bid is untimely. 

It makes some leaders play on the emotions of the followers reason they engage in events like sharing of food items, cheap offering of cash to people in place of infrastructural facilities. These are evidence of playing politics at the expense of good governance.

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Our leaders should believe in good governance as the basis of democracy and government. They should not play politics with governance but rather make politics less attractive and make good governance a priority.

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