ABIA POLITICAL COMBANTANS: LET'S FIGHT CLEAN
TODAY, the Ikpeazu led government is moving a step further in laying a solid foundation for the state by making democracy not just a system of government but a way of life. In the civilized world where institutions of the State have evolved over the years to the level of becoming self-sustaining and self-regulatory, this may not be anything unusual but being confronted with the reality that the last council election held here some ten years ago, this calls for commendation. It is therefore in this light, that I doff my hat for the present administration for doing what ought to be done.
One dominant feature of election is that it is periodic. As this one holds today, another one has already been slatted to hold in about two years from now. That a political power seeker has another chance of trying again - that is if he does not succeed presently - give him much hope and cushions whatever disappointment and failure he may encounter at the moment. To me and many a progressive politician, each time a politician throws his hat into the ring, two things stares him in the face - failure or success. In this game of political chess, it is all about displacing others or being displaced. If you succeed in displacing others, yiu have won but if you get displaced, that means you are have been defeated. Give and take, it is a zero sum game.
What does this imply in today's sport? There are bound to be winners and losers will out number the winners. For those that will win, you have my congratulations and best wishes but I pray you in the name of God - nothing pays like being humble and magnanimous in victory. The chances of failure for him who has won an election are far higher than those who failed elections. And such failure is always far more catastrophic and ignominious. If you win today, extend a warm hand of fellowship to him or those who are adjudged to have failed. The race, according to the holy book is neither for the smart nor the battle for the swift but chance and time happeneth to them all. In the words of Achebe, let those whose palm kernel was cracked for them by a benevolent spirit not be impatient with less successful men.
For those that will not make it today, you have my respect and congratulations. Failing an election does not mean you are not credible or acceptable by the electorates. It does not mean that the adjudged winner is better than you. As a man who has contested and lost elections, I stand to tell you that there is more to losing an election than losing an election. Politics is a strategic warfar prosecuted without arms. A good contestant could be likened to a combantant soldier. In a war situation, if a good combatant is caught in an ambush by an enemy with superior firepower, such experienced soldier is not expected to waste his life and those of his troops fighting for the honor of being thought strong and courageous. When you are outnumbered and out-flanked by the enemy, it is expected of you to beat a retreat, and once you have pulled your men to safety then, you have to restrategise and relaunch an offensive. That's the beauty and hope of this war called politics. If you doubt me ask President Buhari and even the president elect of Ghana.
Conclusively, there's absolutely no need for desperation. If we must fight today, let us fight with our mouth but certainly not our fist. Let no single blood be spilt today in the name of election. Let us fight clean. Let brotherly love prevail. After all, tomorrow promises to be better and rossier.
TODAY, the Ikpeazu led government is moving a step further in laying a solid foundation for the state by making democracy not just a system of government but a way of life. In the civilized world where institutions of the State have evolved over the years to the level of becoming self-sustaining and self-regulatory, this may not be anything unusual but being confronted with the reality that the last council election held here some ten years ago, this calls for commendation. It is therefore in this light, that I doff my hat for the present administration for doing what ought to be done.
One dominant feature of election is that it is periodic. As this one holds today, another one has already been slatted to hold in about two years from now. That a political power seeker has another chance of trying again - that is if he does not succeed presently - give him much hope and cushions whatever disappointment and failure he may encounter at the moment. To me and many a progressive politician, each time a politician throws his hat into the ring, two things stares him in the face - failure or success. In this game of political chess, it is all about displacing others or being displaced. If you succeed in displacing others, yiu have won but if you get displaced, that means you are have been defeated. Give and take, it is a zero sum game.
What does this imply in today's sport? There are bound to be winners and losers will out number the winners. For those that will win, you have my congratulations and best wishes but I pray you in the name of God - nothing pays like being humble and magnanimous in victory. The chances of failure for him who has won an election are far higher than those who failed elections. And such failure is always far more catastrophic and ignominious. If you win today, extend a warm hand of fellowship to him or those who are adjudged to have failed. The race, according to the holy book is neither for the smart nor the battle for the swift but chance and time happeneth to them all. In the words of Achebe, let those whose palm kernel was cracked for them by a benevolent spirit not be impatient with less successful men.
For those that will not make it today, you have my respect and congratulations. Failing an election does not mean you are not credible or acceptable by the electorates. It does not mean that the adjudged winner is better than you. As a man who has contested and lost elections, I stand to tell you that there is more to losing an election than losing an election. Politics is a strategic warfar prosecuted without arms. A good contestant could be likened to a combantant soldier. In a war situation, if a good combatant is caught in an ambush by an enemy with superior firepower, such experienced soldier is not expected to waste his life and those of his troops fighting for the honor of being thought strong and courageous. When you are outnumbered and out-flanked by the enemy, it is expected of you to beat a retreat, and once you have pulled your men to safety then, you have to restrategise and relaunch an offensive. That's the beauty and hope of this war called politics. If you doubt me ask President Buhari and even the president elect of Ghana.
Conclusively, there's absolutely no need for desperation. If we must fight today, let us fight with our mouth but certainly not our fist. Let no single blood be spilt today in the name of election. Let us fight clean. Let brotherly love prevail. After all, tomorrow promises to be better and rossier.
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