I am NOT affiliated to any political party and I do not believe that the source of deliverance and freedom of a nation comes from one person or group of persons however a human mind has the power to limit such dreams. A willing human mind, no matter his earthly affiliation can be used by God to accomplish good for a nation. How do we judge this human mind and know its true intentions? We can only judge a tree by its fruits (NOT its stem, leaves, trunk or branches) hence physical attributes of the fruit like appearance and taste (experience) are the only parameter of judgment.
In the middle of this year, I sought the advice of a seasoned politician and a PDP member on the political party to join and the conversation went forth:
Dipo: Which political party will offer me the best platform to serve?
Politician: Serious Dipo – you are the kind of person we need in politics and you will do excellently well.
Dipo: I am flattered but I am NOT interested in an elected position just to belong to some sort of movement to create positive change. So tell me.
Politician: Just join any of the two big brands – APC or PDP – and show dedication and loyalty to the elders of the party.
Dipo: That’s really not helping much. I can deduce that from the media. I am seeking insight from a Subject Matter Expert.
Politician: See Dipo, there is no difference between the two of them. No distinct ideology – just good theoretical manifestos. However, I personally do not like APC because they pretend a lot. They both steal from the commonwealth but APC steal in the form of project while PDP steal without any form of pretense.
Dipo: Wow! That’s a huge difference – at least one considers the discretion of peoples feeling and a project, no matter the “ill intention”, will always be beneficial to the people. Do not get me wrong I am taking a birds view as every development is in phases.
Politician: Trust me Dipo, people that do projects; steal more from the commonwealth than people that take money out rightly.
Dipo: What you mean is people that do project are making more money. There is a distinction but one way or the other they will invariably be empowering more people as oppose to just taking the money.
Politician: You are NOT serious Dipo
Dipo: I am very serious. I am also realistic. Nigerians have been conditioned to corruption – they believe it’s the only way to uhuru. It is bad that this mindset permeates down to the unborn child. It’s a conditional mindset from the judiciary to the executive spiraling to the Law enforcement down to Religious bodies that act as moral watchdog.
It is not something that will go away easily as long as human nature craves for shortcut.
People must learn to understand that the collective commonwealth is far better than the individual achievement.
However, a leader, whose sole agenda for 4years, is to re-orientate this mindset, is what Nigeria needs. My only experience of this was during Buhari’s regime – the consciousness of the people was driven towards War Against Indiscipline (WAI) – I can remember vividly as a primary school boy as it was ingrained in all media.
Compare this to TAN advertisement, telling us that one man, who has proven otherwise, is the salvation of the people. I am still puzzled how this Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) fund this type of enormous media campaign?
Politician: Word my brother! But how does this make APC better than PDP?
Dipo: Not better but APC is moving; however slow, but moving.
Politician: So you are joining APC?
Dipo: Not really. I have to consider what an APC member will also say about PDP.
