Fellow Compatriots, frankly life is all about learning from yesterday, living for
today and hoping for tomorrow. In the same vein, there comes a point in our
lives when we realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will.
That is to say; as we learn from our past, live for today as well as hope for
or be optimistic over the incoming days, we ought to endeavour to stick mainly
to those who will always matter in our precious lives. I sincerely tender my
unalloyed apology for the digression, though the prelude was consequential.
Meanwhile, let’s hit the nail on the head.
The caption of this open letter bears “A
clarion call to vote wisely.” This implies that the letter, which is designated
for my fellow beloved Imolites, has to do with the fast approaching gubernatorial
cum State Houses of Assembly election. Apparently, it is only a dummy that is
yet to acknowledge that the said polls are already by the corner or at our
doorsteps.
I’m not here to preach a ponderous sermon; rather I came here to tender
only but a gospel truth. Thus I promise to summarize the overall content of the
epistle. You would recall that in my last edition on this very platform, I did
a work concerning the ongoing “Church interference in electoral matters”, which
I also tagged as an epistle. In respect to that critique, I must tell you that
this is exactly the right and ripe time our noble society requires the
paramount and sacrosanct services of the church.
Taking Imo State as a case study, the church is expected to preach to
entire Imolites the gospel truth. And the gospel truth is nothing but to let
them know that they are meant to vote wisely and judiciously. Surely, the
church is supposed to tell Imolites the basic criteria they ought to concentrate
on regarding the idiosyncrasy of the various aspirants, while casting their
votes. And the time to do so is now.
In my individual capacity, I thought it wise that as a Public Affairs
analyst and Civil Rights activist, I’ve a very vital and cogent role to play as
regards the aforementioned forthcoming political exercise. And my role is to
tell Imolites that they are meant to vote wisely. But I can’t just ask them to
vote wisely without letting them know the prerequisite that guarantees a wise
vote, or what they are required to do to ensure that they wisely participate in
the said election. And that is the prime essence of this letter. Let’s ride on!
My dear people of Imo State - the Eastern Heartland, as we are prepared
to vote come April 11, 2015, I urge us to consider four basic factors
critically while assessing the various candidates stipulated to participate in
the polls. The factors are antecedent, vision, tolerance, and party
affiliation.
One’s antecedent is his/her background.
Your background is your past. And your past includes, parental background,
qualifications, accomplishments, and of course your previous public conducts.
It is obvious that each of the candidates has a distinct background; therefore
we must squarely assess theirs, one after the other. For those among them who
have served in one public/political position or the other, we must thoroughly
ascertain what they were able to accomplish or achieve while serving in such
positions. Antecedents, I repeat is very, very necessary and paramount in a
situation like this, thus must not be taken for granted.
Secondly, anyone who intends to serve us
either as a governor or legislator as the case may be is expected to have a
vision. Rather than concentrating on their so-called manifestoes that seem
far-fetched, we should ask them to present to us how they intend to actualize
their intentions; and that where mission comes in. I extensively wrote on
‘Vision and Mission’ in one of my previous pieces, which I tagged as
“Interwoven veritable tools”. Believe me; a vision without an intended or
proposed mission is simply worthless. So we must be extremely careful while
assessing their visions.
Most importantly, let’s discuss tolerance. Take it or leave it, a leader
that lacks tolerance doesn’t worth being addressed as one. In other words, a
prospective leader who lacks tolerance doesn’t worth giving an iota of space or
chance to lead. Tolerance is the quality of letting other people say or do as
it pleases them, even though you do not agree or approve of it. Suffice to say;
tolerance is the ability to accommodate offensive opinion or action from
anyone. I put it up to you that a leader must be tolerant irrespective of the
nature of the leadership position.
Let me take you back to what transpired few days ago at the
International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja during the collation of the
results of the just concluded Presidential election from the various states of
the federation as they were being presented by the respective returning
officers on Tuesday March 31. On that fateful day, having granted the former
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe the privilege to observe
as requested by him, he derailed profoundly while enjoying the privilege. In
his observation, he called the INEC boss, Prof Attahiru Jega names, stating
that the man in question was partial, biased, tribalistic, and illogical. Surely
Prof Jega was tolerant enough over the opprobrium constituted by the
unscrupulous politico, which was condemned by every rational person present at
the occasion. I commend the high level of maturity exhibited by the Chairman of
the electoral umpire; that is one of the most fundamental qualities of a good
leader. This is why I personally dedicate the peaceful outcome of the said
polls to Prof Jega having dedicated it to God Almighty.
Inter alia, I enjoin us to think beyond party affiliation while
assessing the candidates because if we concentrate on their political parties,
we would stand to make an indelible mistake; let’s concentrate on the
individuality or eligibility of the candidates. This aspect was made clear in
one of my past works captioned “Thinking beyond party politicking”. Please let’s
be concerned with what the aspirant would offer if he eventually emerged
victorious; and this could be seen from his past or present conducts, not the
political party he belongs as we presume.
My people, we can’t afford to fail Imo State,
therefore we must endeavour to do it rightly just as we are known for. A
typical Igbo man would say: Eku cha kwa la’m, onye nwere nti nuru. Meaning; I’ve
said it all, he who has ears should hear. At this juncture I say; let’s stick to those
who will always matter in our precious lives. Think about it!
FRED DOC NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)_____________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
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