Balancing The Perspectives; Party, Politics & Leadership

 

By Ubi, Israel Omori

In Nigeria, these have become a longstanding challenge affecting all levels of government in our country right from the local, state and federal.

It's important, I buttress the fact that belonging or being a member of a political party doesn't in any way describe your idiosyncrasies, virtues, morals and values. Individuals only and would always choose to be partisan because they need to understudy and understand the dynamics of politicking in their respective society. A party is a platform or vehicle to accomplishing one's future political ambition. It necessarily may not or may come with financial benefits in the short run but rather should be seen as an ample opportunity to build self; promote personal development, capacity, and leadership skills.

Furthermore you can't intend leading your people in the political space without party affiliation and hence the need for party membership of your choice. Let's endeavor to declutter the mindset of he's this and that because he/she belongs to the APC or PDP. And whatever reason that would sprouts out hatred and resentment against your fellow human because of party lines should be totally discarded as this is unhealthy to our society aswell as humanity. Without a party, an individual can't stand to contest and win an election, and it's left to the choice of the said person to associate or affiliate with a party inorder to actualize his/her ambition; therefore, this fact is "irrefutably backed by the Nigerian constitution" which provides the right, freedom and eligibility to every individual vying for an elective position of leadership. Thus, this should be seen as the reason for sundry party divides in our political terrain. Without party differences, no opposition, and without opposition, no competition for power, and without competition for power, no concerted efforts towards quality leadership. So all these work interwovenly.

Every human is a political animal, these are the words of "The Great Aristotle".

According to oxford English dictionary, politics are the activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or society. Going by the categories of politics, we have the party politics, local politics, to mention but a few. Party politics is simply the activities involved in getting and using power and being able to influence decisions that affect the party including it status quo and structure.

Whereas, local politics are carried out within our local confines like family, church, school and community.

Whatever the definition and categorization given to it, thus, it's sacrosanct that politics need to be played with the fear of God and the right counsel from statemen and elders. Through the game of politics leaders at different levels emerge at various seasons and times. Leaders must perceive politics as not to be a do or die affair, let's be our brothers keeper created by God in His own image.

Let's play politics with the mindset that one day we will also return and reside among and interact with those we have led. Politics birth good leaders and good leadership when played with a positive and selfless mindset. To make impacts and changes in our society, we must indulge in the game of politics to seize power and authority as this is the only way to implement whatever manifestos, plans, and intended actions. On this note, let's see politics as a gateway to good and quality leadership.

Good leadership qualities is on the decline in this clime due to lack of enlightenment, exposure and illumination. Leadership is a call to duty, responsibility and service. You're not there as an occupant, you are there to solve problems. And to get all these right, we must place a clear dichotomy between politics and leadership. Politics ends at the poll/voting ground (i.e at the election) while true leadership comes after politics, and these two cannot go together or else it would create a pandemonium in our society and among those we are leading.

However, leadership is a critical aspect of development and progress of a nation and should be prioritize as product of pure politics. Accordingly, leadership has been seen by some individuals or class as an opportunity to oppress, intimidate, and witch-hunting of the opposition and those perceived as enemies. This unfortunate circumstance has plagued our nation in all sectors and spheres of life giving rise to corruption, ethnic marginalization, inequality, injustice, unfairness, unwarranted agitation and political annihilation. Leadership is so critical in determining the collectiveness, cohesion, unity and peace of a nation: and that's why it crucial that during politicking they people should be careful enough to scrutinize and evaluate those desiring to helm the affairs of any responsible society because it cost "an arm and a leg" if the nation should get it all wrong in the aspect of leadership.

Generally speaking, party, politics and leadership should be given a clear dichotomy and perspective as they trio cannot be blend together so far as development, peace and progress of a nation is concerned. To get it right in our system, we must have a balanced perspective of party affiliation, politics and leadership so that our country can move forward and achieve her laudable desires. And if these are rightly put in place then we are not far at arriving the El dorado.

Ubi, Israel Omori writes from Calabar, Cross River State