Facts And Realities of Nigerian Politics: Tips For The Conscientious Mind, Who Wish To Meet His/Her Creator Well.

 

 By

 Musa Idris Buko 

1. Know, believe and understand that no ideological distinction between and among all political parties in Nigeria. The likely differences in the political parties are: names, symbol, and the characters of personalities that occupy elective and / or appointive positions, using the respective parties' platforms. Therefore, be wise not to angelize or demonize any political party, or politician. There may be cross-overs at any time. What matters is the very egoistic interests of the politicians in any political party.

 2. Never judge people or politicians for and from their decisions and affiliations. We often do not have the knowledge, and facts to do that. If you need and have to, let your criticisms be objective, factual, specific and most importantly be sincere, not ill intended. Don't go personal, leave people with their personal defects, business and lifestyle. Perfection belongs to Allah, while fallibility is for human.

3. Never believe or work with gossips, hearsay, rumours and secrecies that affects people in question. If you must believe such, verify by calling all parties concerned, listen to both sides, weigh your facts and take informed decisions. Never hold impressions about people without using standard credible and objective universal templates like from professional bodies, international organizations, moral institutions such as the Bible, and the Islamic templates e.g. in Al-Hujurat (Qur'an 49 v. 6; and v. 12 respectively). Also, never say what you have no knowledge about, because you ll be questioned about it on the Day of judgment. 

4. Nigerian politics is practically presumed dirty, selfish, all about perpetuation of oneself or interests in political power and / or relevance at all costs. It is widely believed that the concept of equity, fairness and justice in politics is non-existent, but trust me, it does exist and very doable. Know, believe and practise your own politics in contrast to the  wide wild nay perceptions. Politics is not a joke oh! We would be questioned about everything politics we do on the Day of Qiyamah. 

5. Never let personal gains guide your orientation in politics, none can give what Allah didn't destine for you, and none can take away what is destined for you, as long as honest effort is constant. Respect other's decision, and have the general interest of all, not yours selfish gains as a motivation and yardstick. 

6. Never assassinate  the character of friends, and people you once belonged in same political camp. Never also, divulge things you shared in confidence and secret just because of misunderstandings and fights. It all comes and go, what happens to your relationship when the fight is over?

7. Never inherit others' enemies, and never pick people 's fight in and for politics. When they settle and reconcile, you may not be there. Be responsible and know you are yourself.

8. Seek God's guidance in your decisions.

9. Most politicians have phobia for and feel threatened by intelligent people, master the Laws of Power and pray to survive. 

10. Never severe ties, relationships and friendships for politics or any politician, it is not just worth it.

11. Politics is not a meal ticket, find a responsible, stable and secure source of self sustenance.

12. No political party has monopoly of saints or devils. All parties have both the good, the bad and the ugly. Whichever you choose to belong, choose wisely, be loyal and move on. Never see your political party as a saints' party and others as a devils' party.

13. Never deceive, don't break promises, and go back on your words or agreement reached with others. Be truthful no matter what, apply wisdom, diplomacy and emotional intelligence, but never lie. Meanwhile, don't also allow yourself to be lowly hoodwinked. 

14. Respect zoning where it is equitably, fairly and justly operational.

15. Wherever you find yourself in politics, whether in leadership as an elected or appointed officer; or as a party man and or follower, be certain to know and be humble to understand that you are not the best and can never be the best. There are thousands of better people by far, in and around you, therefore be humble. Allah just gives you the opportunity to lead as a trial and trust.

16. Never look down on anyone in politics, respect all in all manners, at all times no matter how, they are your social capital. 

17. If you have opportunities in politics, invest heavily in human capacity building and strategic empowerments, build and make more people like you or even better, for God's sake with no strings attached, they would be there for you, and will always have your back, God will make that for you.

18. Practise and adopt mentor-mentee political relationship. Just like you don't fall from heaven, you cannot succeed without a mentor. Choose a mentor on common understanding, and move-on. Never confuse this to godfather-stooge relationship. 

19. Never betray your loyalists, supporters and those that went very far for you. When you succeed, carry them along and reward them accordingly. Never turn your back on them, make them your enemy, or forsake them. No amount of friends and supporters is enough in politics, but just an enemy from amongst your loyalists is just too many. Manage interests selflessly with an open heart.

20. Governance is continuum, and politics is the gateway to the business of governance. When you get your politics right (win election) and get to governance, take responsibility for the past, present and the future. Get to work, avoid blame games, and passing bucks. Time (just 4 years) is of essence and the full cycle occurs within the blink of an eye. This should  be every elected/appointed political office holder's daily must-be-remembered task to be accomplished. 

21. Forsake the zero-sum ideology or game, no one needs to get destroyed before you become successful. No matter your dislike for a leader or government, whether in the past or present; acknowledge its gains, laud it, while sincerely and constructively bringing its inadequacies to fore. Tread softly and modestly. Your journey in politics should be for the sake of service to humanity and human beings.  Human beings value, need and want love, kindness and humility. 

22. Never say never in politics, no matter how right and popular you may think your decision or view is. Hence watch what you write and what you say. Be constructive, objective and factual, never let this justly and rationally count or be used against you anytime.

23. Never ever turn your political benefactor(s) to ridiculous clothes you wash in the public, no matter your political parties, differences in orientation. Always remember how he favoured you against others in the past. Be a grateful human being, an ingrate to human being can never be grateful to Allah. 

24. Politicians in public leadership positions must be wary, and also pray for Allah's protection against the evils of brown-nosers. Sycophants are the bane of good leadership and governance in Nigeria. They are the major bulwark between good, objective, factual and sincere criticisms of governance, and a positive feedback mechanism in the overall goodness of the citizens. They never see anything wrong in what the leaders do. They deem such leader(s) infallible and perfect, and also consider every critique an "enemy" or a "hater". Do not be a political brown-noser, remember the day you meet your Lord.

25. Politics is not evil, not dirty and ultimately not for the bad or evil guys alone, never. Join it, there are good and better people just like you. If you leave it as a presumed saints or good guys, definitely those adjudged bad would rule and dictate your life, future and same for your generations. Get involved and be responsible. 

26. Politics involves active participation, engagements and grass-roots networking.  Get your Permanent Voter's Card (PVC), fix all issues with INEC while the window is still open, that is your Visa to choose your future in the next general elections in 2023.

27. Politics is the gateway to the business of governance, hence it is the business of all citizens within the legal age limit. Educate, enlighten, sensitize and mobilize for a course that is right positively, just, fair, equitable and positively bring about sustainable prosperity for all.

28. Think it, believe, practise it and give Nigerian politics a  face-lift. It is very doable, and achievable. 

 God bless Nigeria

 God bless Kwara

(C) Buko 2022

 #Polithinkanddoitright