Discouraging Politics of Family Business Writes Solomon Olali-Igabo

Solomon Olali-Igabo, a public affairs analysts and commentator writes DISCOURAGING POLITICS OF FAMILY BUSINESS.

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Among the political class, there is this common saying that in politics, there is no permanent friend, no permanent enemy but permanent interest.

This however shows the mindset of politicians as mediocre who thinks more for themselves and families alone. They later become drunk and intoxicated with power.

Psychologically the average politician is erratic, rude and arrogant in nature and when power or position is given to such character what does one expect?

Politics is a call to service and not for everyone to venture into it. One must have what it takes to lead and manage people around him or her with sense of direction devoid of sentiment or hatred.

Sadly, most politicians of today are self-seekers who care for their stomach infrastructure alone than genuinely for the interest of the common good of the masses. No wonder, Socrates prediction of the fall of democracy postulated that “And at that time, when thieves and fraudster finally and democratically take authority, because criminals and evil doers want power, there will be worse dictatorship than in the time of any monarch or oligarchy”.

The great Greek Philosopher’s perceptions of politics is scarce in modern societies of Africa. Socrates talked about political leaders with refined character not raw mentality as we are witnessing in contemporary society today. Talking about the Plato or Socratic Philosophies of political leadership we cannot see that in Nigeria today, because the level of corruption as a nation is divine.

Some privileged politicians are in collusion with those in corridors of power at the expense of the downtrodden thereby adding more pains and suffering to the people who gave them the mandate.

Evidently, politics has become a family affairs or business in Nigeria as a means of amassing wealth and power at the expense of the poor or voiceless people.

Here in Bayelsa state, most families are into politics perhaps because of lack of job while others are being employed in the civil service at the same time engaged in politics.

For instance, siblings of same parents, brothers or sisters are all in politics for the sake of survival does not depict a good scenario at all. Politics is not for family business if we must move or progress as a state.

The prosperity government under Senator Douye Diri should look inward and deemphasize the politics of family business but emphasize the prosperity mantra in the nooks and cranny of Bayelsa State. By so doing, he should take gospel of selfless service to the door steps of all Bayelsans.

It is commonly observed that grants or palliatives are freely shared or distributed to families and friends of politicians against those who do not have connection at the state and national level.

Aides to political leaders often times hijacked largesse or grants to themselves and cronies at the expense of the poor masses. This should be discouraged in Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole.

According to a great statesman, Daniel Webster once said, “if religious books are not circulated widely among the masses in this country and the people do not become spiritual, I do not know what is to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, error will, if God and His word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendency”.

The essence of politics to the average politician is to deceive, steal, kill and destroy. Former President Goodluck Jonathan said any mandate outside the people’s choice is armed robbery. This is not far from the truth.

It is high time government and the political class should stop or discourage the petty politics of family business in Nigeria.