Politics Without Principle

Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Okafor

Among the deadly sins named by Mahatma Ghandi is Politics Without principle. This is exactly the situation in Nigeria. Politics in Nigeria is devoid of basic principles and morality. When the basic principles of service to the people and respect for the human person are dethroned, then we can expect anything. In Nigeria, it is possible for a blind man to lead a two eyed man. If a prisoner has the wherewithal, he can become the president of this nation, after all, some have been made president after they had been imprisoned. Beside, most of our leaders deserved to be in jail if not for the level of injustice we have assumed in this country. Some of them are worse criminals than those who are serving jail terms. Nigerian Politicians are bereft of morality, human compassion, respect for the human person and initiative. These are people who are not even respected in their families and villages, people who have no integrity but want to be recognised as national icon by imposing themselves on the masses.
Political position ought to be a medium of service to the people. When the masses say they do not need your service, why then should one impose himself on them through violent means and by rigging his way to the political position of his choice? One wonders the motive behind this political syndrome. No doubt, it is because politics is the easiest way to become rich and lord it over others. This accounts for why the different parties' primary election was marred with death and threat. Those who claimed that when they secure the people's mandate to serve in the political position of their choice they would ensure the security of the people, were involved in hiring thugs and cultists to terroise the masses so that they could win their way through. What sort of security and services will such a person provide? Even some powers that be have devised sophisticated means of ringing elections. To ensure that they fix the persons of their choice into political position of their interest, they tactically delayed elections till night and ensured that there was total blackout in the voting arena till they were through with their evil intentions. If they could do this at the primary level, what will they not do on the very day of election? Wonder shall never end! Any political aspirant who is desperate for power has evil agenda; he does not have the interest of the people at heart. If all those in the political positions should be made to receive the same salary and insecurity like the civil servants, how many will be desperate so serve?
When we tune our radio and television sets we hear politicians uttering promises they will never think of fulfilling. Even the president is asking for mandate to consolidate what he has started. In the first instance, what has he done? Eight months in office we are yet to feel the SMS of positive change. Morning shows me day. What kind of development will he initiate when the lives of the citizens are not secured, no creation of job opportunities for the teeming youths, and most federal roads especially in the south are not motorable? How can he change the country for better when he has surrounded himself with sycophant advisers who will continue to sing his praise and are interested in what they can get? I perceive deceit in most of the political aspirants. Now that the ruling party has failed in its Seven Points Agenda, it has now come again with Consolidation, Appeasement and Reconciliation (CAR). Where are we heading to?
Some Senators who for the past four to eight years in office have not thought of something good for their people, are again coming forward to ask for mandate for second and third terms so that they can continue to represent themselves and their family. The so-called Legislators who are worse hardened criminals instead of making legislations to meet the demands of the masses, end up legislating and securing their future well being and that of their families, without securing the future of the average Nigerian; so that even when they leave their political positions, they will continue to enjoy enough benefits which even the civil servants can never enjoy; yet we complain that there is no money in the country.
In a bid to secure a second term appointment for themselves some Senators and Governors have spent millions of Naira to bribe their way through, when such money could have been used to initiative projects that would be of benefit to the common citizens. Oh Mr. Senator and Governor! Why not win the masses over by investing such amount of money on projects that will be of benefit to them. Now I am fully convinced that in his riches, man lacks wisdom, he is like the beasts that are destroyed (PS. 49:12, 20).

The questions our leaders should be asking themselves is: what have I done so far with my time in office? How many lives have I been able to touch? If you are effective as a leader, you do not need to campaign, the masses on their own, will vote for you.