No society is completely immune from a phenomenon. Whether good or bad, the modus operandi, which has been created by the attitudinal dimension of the people living in a particular society, will continue to shape their existence.
Every now and then, every Nigerian complains about the challenges we are facing in the country. This challenges as generic they may look, is a reflection of the attitudinal dimension of the Nigerian people, both leaders and followers.
I have come to realize that every one of us has an impact on making the country work. What we need to do to make the country work is as important as what we do to make our personal lives better.
The Nigeria political space is believed to be dysfunctional and value lacking. It’s an obvious fact that politicians are a set of people who go about their own and selfish interests.
However, this impression that has become part of the narrative can’t be used to totally describe who politicians are.
We have seen good and worthy politicians who not only put the interest of the people at heart but also fight for it. This instance clearly defeats the impression that all politicians are self-centred. It’s all about the politics of value.
The politics of value transcend those who even practice it, and we have seen lately how electorates challenged the stereotypes of voting for party by choosing leaders based on their personality.
Nigerians have become so informed that whichever party a politician decides to use for his ambition, they are only ready to accept or reject him based on his personality.
The politics of value endureth forever. It’s a leverage that anyone who practices it can always fall back. It never fails, and it never fades.
As the political landscape continues to change in Nigeria, It’s important that politics of value is the only sustainable way of staying afloat.
Like the great sage and civil rights activists, Mahatma Ghandi once said; ‘you should be the change you want to see in the world’.
Every now and then, situation presents an opportunity for us to review our ways and be true humanist, it’s never too late to take a new leave.
Life is a roller-coaster. Should anyone fail to take the right shot of attitude, the law of diminishing return has its way of rolling consequences back.
I believe it’s time for us to imbibe and practice the politics of value. For those who stand for it will stand the test of time.
***Comrade Owolabi Aleshinloye is a sports journalist and public commentator. He writes from London, United Kingdom.
