THE DECEPTION OF POPULARITY AND WEALTH IN POLITICS.
…Pst. (Comrade) Jude Isibor
Former PDP Esan West LGA Chairmanship Aspirant, writes from Port Harcourt, River State
Former PDP Esan West LGA Chairmanship Aspirant
Politics in Nigeria today has far gone beyond popularity, and the richest winning in elections. The peculiarities of our divisiveness as a Nation is really amazing as a people.
The mental evolution and belief systems of our people, is something our political leaders must begin to study. The politics of NCNC, NPN, UPN, SDP & NRC have since changed from today’s PDP, LP, APC and others. Effective and successful politicking even varies within political parties and States, due to the sociology of the people. During the Edo 2020 guber election, you’d hear the popular slogan “Edo no b Lagos”, which simply implies that Edo people are not Lagos people, and vice versa.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo despite his laudable ideologies and popularity, never ruled Nigeria as a President.
Chief Moshood K. Abiola(late) despite his popularity & great wealth, didn’t occupy the State House, even when it appeared he won the elections.
Most recently is that of Mr Peter Obi, whose popularity precipitated into a mass movement prior to the 2023 General elections.
Yet, we have something else entirely. Edo 2020 also saw something similar, where the people wanted Governor Obaseki against the odds of so-called Federal Might and Edo political state actors. It is of a worthy note that the same crowd that our Lord Jesus fed in the Bible, was the same set of people that shouted “CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM”.
History will always play out from time to time. The great Dr Martin Luther King Jr was a movement, not just within the confines of America but the whole world; yet he never occupied the White House. How much can we say of Malcolm X, Rev Jessy Jackson and other Civil Right Activists? Some of them felt their great popularity could avail them the opportunity to be US President; politics is beyond loud ovations a lot of times.
The rich will always have confidence in the power of their wealth, influencing the choices of the electorates through party delegates/voters’ buying, but forgetting that the alms of flesh will always fail. Goliath was a great Philistine Warrior who never lost in any battle, till he met with an insignificant young lad in the person of David who was just seventeen years of age. But David knew he was in covenant with the Almighty God who’s the Greatest Warrior. He went into the battle in that might while Goliath trusted in his flesh, and this brought an end to his life. You may wish to refer to this full account in 1 Samuel 17.
I see the same scenario playing out in Edo 2024, where the wealthy and seemingly acclaimed anointed popular aspirants take the back seat, while Hon Felix Akhabue of a humble background becomes Edo State Governor.
POWER BELONGS TO THE SUPREME GOD, WHO RULES IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN.
