EKITI 2014: MY HUMBLE PERSPECTIVE. As events continue to unfold and we approach the threshold of yet another democratic transition in the annals of our history as a people, I am compelled to once again give this very reflective insight into the foundational source of the leadership misfortune that has thrown us into the unfortunate abyss of backwardness and exposed our political atmosphere to the susceptibility of manipulation and economic hardship viz unaffordable tertiary education, recalcitrantly poor standard of living, continuous economic instability, total dependence on civil service sector, unbearable tax regime among others that could not be mentioned because of space. As we continue to groan under the consequences of maladministration bequeathed on us by our past and present political leaders, going by our political evolutionary progression, we may be compelled to conclude that weve not been too lucky as a people. In 1999, due to the palpable uncertainty of our democratic circumstance as a nation, we were reduced to having just a mere political experimentation which in turn produced a very gentle but a political infant to steer the wheels of leadership of the state for the first four years, thereby subjecting us to a form of leadership apprenticeship for the first democratic term. Because of the very sensitive nature of our people, we yearned for an immediate change of leadership desperately and we got it in an opportunist who capitalized on the reality of that moment to secure the seat for himself. All of us are a living witness to what characterized that reign. The rest is now history. That administration was terminated due to the high political education and dexterity of our people and the streets regained its freedom and peace. The state was then left at the mercy of a complete stranger who dictated our pace for the six preparatory months for another transition. The state was again unfortunately handed over to a product and beneficiary of manipulation by those at the power center against the wishes of the masses. The people in our usual pragmatic affinity and doggedness revolted against this day light robbery and the mandate was retrieved for the supposed owner. In taking another very decisive decision, there remains for us to be exposed to the need to inquire into the nature of the rule of tyrants; for to do so, will empower us to resist its inherent dangers, to forestall a reminiscent of what we had and still have, to future stability. Usually, the emergence of a dictator arises from chaos, confusion, or degeneracy. When he thus emerges, he usually emerges as a popular leader, taking advantage of the very anxious expectations of the people. Though full of internal deceit and loaded with selfish ends, he soon offers himself as the healer, the lover of common man, the provider and answer to the peoples misery so as to win them at that stage when the people needed succor and when he surely needs to secure his rule. But his rule is often private self directed personal rule which soon produces extreme authoritarianism. The features of his rule include the constitution of well armed men to guard him. These guardians are usually of strange characters bound by total allegiance on oath to the tyrant and acting or doing anything at his behest. The guardians often know no guilts and hold illimitable power all in the name of securing total arbitrary rule of the tyrant. The tyrant has now consolidated his rule, initially through cajolement and plea, but sooner at mid - course, through fear. He goes immediately against his perceived competitors or rivals usually men and women of courage, wealth or intelligence. He manifests evil against these prominent people so as to invest on himself in the eyes of the people the right to eliminate them. This is the unfortunate circumstance under which we need to seek our liberation. Those we overwhelmingly rejected are back now in full celebration, all because our dear state is termed a place where yesterday we yearned for a better tomorrow but today we mourn the loss of a better yesterday. My dear compatriots, as we take this decision that will affect us for another four years, we have to take a very sober reflection on the salient issues Id painstakingly noted. God shall in His mercies complement our choice. By Adebowale Odeyemi (Ph.D.)
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 20:08:07 +0000
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