Those who profess to be politicians in Nigeria are neither validly elected nor appointed but inordinately selected by political godfathers. Thus, only a few of the so-called politicians are humble and resourceful. The rest could be regarded as deviants, demented, disrespectful and prodigal. It is, therefore, not usually considered abnormal when persons in high political offices are wasteful in words, actions and resources. Evidence abounds of governors who are lamentably prodigal in the face of stinging scarcity of resources. They often take the callous and selfish stand that the problems of the masses are none of their concern. This is not surprising as most of them were brought up in poverty of resources and mind. They lack the sense of lively imagination and blind to observations thus, lifting the country’s dishonour to unimaginable heights.
They want everything they touch to turn into gold in the manner of king Midas- who, according to Greek mythology, was a king who lived in Phrygia in the eight century B.C. King Midas eventually got all that he wanted including his daughter Aurelia, turning into a golden statue. The result: he realized he didn’t want what he got. This is a great mistake which politicians in Nigeria make and which ruins them. They look only at the things that are seen and temporal and have no care for the future. As far as they can see and believe, posterity is not a priority. They, therefore, set themselves up to accumulate and spend as much and as fast as possible and in no time become political prodigal sons. In well-organized societies, political office is a life of self-denial and a course of public interest duties. The duties could cost one all that is dear- reputation, liberties, wealth or even life itself. Politicians in Nigeria greatly abhor all of these and prefer to be notoriously renowned for prodigious strength derived from lawless and bestial lifestyle and I wonder why Fayose’s case is a toast.
Many a governor cast in his mould have reigned, ruined, departed and perhaps resting in ‘pieces’ without being desired. Why is his case different? Is it because he has the wisdom or lack of it to know what to say and a mouth with which to say it as it should be said or otherwise? I got worried for Ayo Fayose, when after the APC candidate was declared winner of the Ekiti governorship election, the EFCC was said to have taunted him: “we will see you soon.” The statement clearly shows that the EFCC is, without doubt, appearing to be an instrument of cruelty and vendetta and whose imagination and thoughts are becoming inclined to evil. Without holding brief for Fayose, I believe it would have been better and neater for EFCC to wait patiently until he leaves office instead of ‘laying ambush’ in advance, thus giving the impression of a biased umpire.
Notwithstanding the intrigues from the EFCC, there is always a way out of every situation. Even in the Bible, all sins and blasphemes except blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven because it is an eternal sin. There is no eternal ‘political sin’ that cannot be forgiven. After all, empirical and anecdotal evidence abound that politicians in Nigeria are suffering from political-credibility fatigue. For Fayose, the music will soon be over and I guess he will not delight in the melody that will linger on. I will advise that he exercises the option of the prodigal son and return ‘home’ into the willing arms of a politically loving father and extricate himself from the portfolio of adversaries waiting to take a pound of flesh and perhaps spill some blood.
When the prodigal son in the Bible (Luke 15:11-32), came home, he was welcomed with the best robe, a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet and they began to merry. This implies that the worst of sinners, if repent, shall find mercy and such mercies, I believe abound in APC for political ‘wayward’ returnee children. APC, though currently suffering from reversal of fate, is a home not just for ‘saintly’ politicians but also for political loquacious sons seeking remission of sins. If Fayose defects and I believe the time is auspicious, the unbridled-tongued chairman of APC will change his tune, build glorious concepts around and canonize him a political saint. What a glorious way to return to a solid ground from a shifting soil!
This is not to directly or otherwise suggest that the APC is a haven for political prodigal sons. It is that every prodigal son has the right to return home without shame, provided he has repented of all extravagant political idiosyncrasies. After all, there is nothing shameful in what is gainful. We have seen many successfully ‘returned’ home without shame and Fayose’s case should not be any exception that could have the potential to defile the rule. But he has always been daring and could decide to ignore the roaring of the political lions looking for whom to devour without mercy. Even at the best of times, defection is lucrative. It would certainly be more lucrative in a period of storm. The choice is his.
Francis Iyoha
Professor Iyoha is of the Department of Accounting, Covenant University and Research Fellow, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He wrote viafoiyoha@ican.org.ng
