In politics, winning is an end in itself. But the consequence of this is that the big issues get lost when politicians in Nigeria consider winning as an ultimate end in itself, not necessarily a means to an end.
The big issues in politics cannot be treated as trivial even though politicians must try to deal with the trivialities in a fairly serious way. This is the reason why during election seasons, politicians, supporters, the media and pundits enlivens the political space with their interest and fears. Interestingly, some of these interests and fears also inspire serious excitement in the minds of the electorate. Though, it is the electorate that mostly pull back the politicians from their utterly trivial methods back to the serious big issues.
Is politics really a sport given the determination of all politicians to win at all cost? When politicians first set out in political contest, they begin with what is termed their great vision for the future. This is only the preamble as what truly follows on from this is the strategy to win and win again. It is a dead clue as that is all that matters after the politicians offer superficially popular promises..
Thus, the above summation presupposes the fact that only few politicians are keen and have the desire to make Nigeria a better place or at least attempt to halt it from getting worse. This is by a few not a majority. It is indeed naïve to expect all politicians to always think about stuff that matters to Nigerians all the time. Look at the recent campaigns in Nigeria and one will readily agree that the subtext and action of many of the politicians was deeply saddening. This was because it was the complete failure of a majority of the politicians of having a plan for the myriad of crisis and conflict in the land that has claimed lives and caused an increased internally displaced persons. You attempt to peruse every available manifesto and you hapless reach a conclusion that a far majority seem to have deliberately abstained from substance like leadership and vision.
Abstaining from leadership and vision substance further presupposes the fact that the big issues has gone beyond the scope of Nigerian politicians. This is because it is now the Nigerian electorate that are more conversant and concerned with the important issues. While voters worry about these issues of governance, the politicians are only bothered about winning elections. Dealing with internal issues of concerns for the electorate is secondary at best.
It is a mutually agreed fact that the future of politics in Nigeria with particular reference to voting remains a relevant subject for all to engage with. Nigerians are now more enlightened to dismiss the obvious concerns on good governance as crap. The kind of society to be bestowed on our future generation matters or else we should start bothering on how they will look back on us and shudder because of the seeming failure to what is right now.
Nigeria could be a far better place if what the people can harvest the kind of politicians it deserves, especially the ones that answer and stand up, rather than dithering with brilliant dialectical dribbling. Certainly, the cause of the problem is that many of these political vacillators, by some ridiculous geopolitical notion and religion have found themselves as the masters of the Nigeria’s fate.
The whole political process in Nigeria lacks urgency. The political process need modern reforms whereby those in the saddle can stand up for the long-term future of the nation. Let us populate politics with people embedded ideals and dreams and visions that can lead the people towards a better future.
