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Following my last column on
the just concluded local government council polls in Akwa
Ibom state, series of phone calls points to the direction
that I am an avid supporter of mediocrity.
Earnestly, I am not. Rather, what I abhor is violence in
politicking. More so, I detest recalcitrancy in home
politics. I hate politicians who don't like to see reasons
in time so as to tow the path of righteousness.
May be that was why some notable politicians in the wild,
wild West, inspite of deadly and decisive pursuits of
Presidency, could only regret having tried “too much” in
their graves. This brand of politics leaves bitterness and
soar taste in the mouth for even generations of our
great-grand children to come and amend.
Yours Truly always see the political slogan of “if you can't
beat them, join them” as the most veritable tool to play
politics with harmony.
But in a situation where some actors, aspirants and
candidates would swear to untie the neck of their winning
opponent only “over my death body”, then this condemnable
cliché of politics not being a do-or-die affair has been
falling on our deaf ears.
I shall come back to that in part two of the topic some day.
But for now, I would like to present to my readers what
should be expected of the emerging leaders that would
administer our third tier government in the next couple of
weeks, Insha Alah.
Our new Council's helmsmen cannot afford to trade off sound
and excellent leadership qualities, as this is synonymous
with the mandate freely given them by the grassroot people.
They must see their new role and position as another
springboard and stepping stone to promote cordial living
among men and peals alike, as well as his kinsmen in tandem
with and emulation of known doctrines and principles of
fairness, equity, justice and fair play.
If I won't sound evangelistic or pastoral, any sane leader
should possess the fear of God in him, in order to rule
effectively, and ride on to kick-start an equally efficient
governance for the people at that tier of government.
At this pincture, I always like to quote the exhortation of
this popular world acclaimed politician who submitted that,
“The value and sacredness of human person cannot be
obliterated no matter how often devalued, violated and
trampled upon”, and I would also add that for a society, the
social contract of authority and leadership is temporal and
moral, while human persons is eternal and immortal.
In fact, it is indeed important for our incoming local
government administrators to iniquely inject the overall
interest of the masses into their curriculum on monthly
basis without sounding clannish or parochial.
These guys must be ready to justify every action of their
terms of appointments, patronage, spread of amenities and
democratic dividends and political largesse in such a manner
that is devoid of discrimination, political connotation and
above all shallow mindedness.
With this at the back of the mind, I mean largesse
allocation, the Councils' helmsmen must also find a way of
getting near “cake baking” rather than pointing accusing
fingers and giving excuses, having consciously in his head
that the onerous task of a true representative of the people
be it at ward or local government level, must include the
directing of the welfare of every class of person in the
area without necessarily having to be a card carrying member
of the ruling party. This brings to fore the over
concentration of dishing out welfare packages to the
godfathers in complete detriment of the suffering and
downtrodden masses.
Furthermore, the incoming guys in the local administration
should endeavour at all times to run away from the
stock-in-trade of enacting repressive bye-laws, directives
and orders aimed at only oiling and fuelling the whims and
caprices of the godfathers and the small local
powers-that-be.
This should not be so, because leadership and power that
transcends petty barriers blossoms in the presence of law,
good governance and above all equitable distribution of
available slots to accessible channels for the purpose of
thickening the bonds of unity, cohesiveness and lasting
impression of brotherhood, peaceful coexistence and
memorable fellowship.
These guys should of necessity ensure that arbitrariness in
local administration does not in anyway go further to
distract and impoverish already sapped, wounded and bruised
people of the local government area, especially if it is
taken into cognizance the fact that reflection to the
immediate past would reveal the record of a people neglected
for several months without any clear indigenous
administration earlier mandated to lead the people.
All told, every hamlet in this Akwa Ibom State need adequate
and concerted throttle to rekindle the lost hope in local
government administration where key prayers would decide to
reside in the posh area of the State Capital in Uyo only to
attempt Finance and General Purposes Committee work plans in
the nearest guest house to his new found residence.
Gentlemen and ladies, as you come into the council, shun
this attitude of leaving your family in Abuja, and only
“flying” into the Council's headquarters on “Allocation
sharing” dates to grease the palms of few “leaders” and
“Elders” whose roaring may cost you your jobs on beck and
call.
Methinks development and largesse sharing must go juxtaposed
if the wishes of the people on us should be sustained and
worth the strugate.  |
