Paradigm Shift

PARADIGM SHIFT

   “Kareem, my brother,” Bello called while seated opposite the supposed recipient of the call in his blue caftan.

    Kareem looked at him attentively.

   “I have in several occasions pleaded with you to kindly step down for me.” said Bello.

    Alhaji Bello Ahmed, the immediate elder and only brother to Hon Kareem, was aspiring for a Federal House of Representatives seat of his constituency in Kano State, North-West zone of Nigeria, and incidentally and coincidentally the latter happened to be his closest rival for the said ambition. Hon Kareem Ahmed who was vying under a different political party had vowed never to step down for his elder brother despite the countless importunities coming from him (Bello), and he (Kareem) ostensibly had greater chances of winning the awaited election which was fast approaching.

    Having emerged victoriously as the flag-bearers of their respective parties, Alhaji Bello was relentlessly making a frantic effort toward ensuring that his younger brother’s name wouldn’t appear on the same ballot paper with his, and he was employing every amicable means to actualize his genuine motive. For the umpteenth time, he had thought it wise to pay him a visit at his place of residence, and therein they were seated in Kareem’s parlour; he had earlier sought an audience with him prior to the meeting.

    “Bro,” the 46-year-old Kareem responded. “If you have been sleeping, I think it’s high time you woke up.”

    Bello got struck by the gravity of the words, astonished.

    “Yes,” Kareem who sensed how shocked his sibling was, rode on. “Because I have made it clear to you that I can never step down for anybody.”

    “Why are you doing this to me?” the 50-year-old Bello lamented.

    “Come to think of it,” said Kareem. “Why not consider stepping down for me?”

    Bello cast an abrupt glance at him, depressed.

    “Of course,” Kareem continued. “Since it’s obvious I have greater chances than you.” He asserted.

    The debate lasted for over an hour to no avail. The depressed guest left Kareem’s home at 7:45pm disappointedly.

    The brouhaha between the two related politicians lingered unabated that it triggered the optimum concern of all and sundry that thought good of their family name (Ahmed), not until their entire relatives including their aged parents intervened into the matter which almost became bloody; thus Kareem finally agreed to step down for the sake of brotherhood. The unanimous agreement between the family members, which was duly signed by the lawyers of the tussling brothers, was that having stepped down for him as requested, Alhaji Bello would go for only 4-year term if he eventually won the election after which he would amicably relinquish the position for his younger brother.

    Thereafter, everyone who heard of the story, which was only imaginable considering how Hon Kareem was making waves towards the awaited polls, sincerely commended him for the unbelievable step he had taken to save his family’s name.

    Luckily for Alhaji Bello, he emerged victoriously at the polls which took place in two months time. His victory, which was anticipated, ushered in merriment not just to his immediate family but to his overall extended family. Few weeks later, he was successfully sworn in.

    Truly, power intoxicates. The moment the legislator assumed duty, everything about him, including his personal and public life, automatically changed as if his entire person was transformed into something else. He hardly paid attention to the concern of his only brother, Hon Kareem who obviously sacrificed a lot to ensure he got to that position. According to him, his sibling gave him an unbearable tough time before he accepted to step down which was even occasioned by the unanimous efforts of his relatives in spite of his initial innumerable pleas in that regard; this was one of the unreasonable reasons that made him turned his back on him.

     It would fascinate you to note that Hon Kareem Ahmed was the immediate past Executive Chairman of their Local Government Council, and while in office he performed marvelously well. In view of this, virtually the entire concerned electorate had him as their only choice for that Federal House of Reps seat. So, anyone who was in his shoes would rather ask his elder brother to step down for him. To say the least, Alj Bello got that very political post as a result of his (Kareem’s) fame. Though Bello who was a successful industrialist was wealthier than him, but most times good name is far better and intimidating than affluence.

    Aside the aforementioned change of lifestyle, among others, that was directly affecting the family members, his (Bello’s) attitude in the public sphere was nothing to write home about. He hardly attended organized events he was duly invited to, totally unlike what it used to be prior to his victory at the just concluded polls. Funnily enough, before he won the election, he was attending occasions in which his presence wasn’t even needed, just like a street beggar. The abrupt and uncalled lifestyle persisted endlessly.

    Four years on toward the end of his tenure, like Oliver Twist, he nurtured interest to vie for a second term in office as if he had forgotten so soon the peaceful agreement jointly reached between him and his sibling. When confronted by his brother for such irrational step, he snubbed him. He further let him realized that that agreement was duly signed by their respective solicitors; rather than seeing reason with him, he asked him to go to court if he so wished. To this end, his brother, Hon Kareem decided to ignore his highfalutin behaviour and face his dream squarely.

    Subsequently, both of them emerged as the flag bearers of their various parties. Anyone who won the primaries of the both political parties had greater chances of emerging victoriously during the election proper owing to the prominence of the parties in question. Alj Bello was able to scale through the primary election having influenced the leaders of his party with his wealth.

    Three months after, the awaited election came on board. Consequently, Alj Bello the incumbent legislator got lost at the polls; he was overwhelmingly knocked out by his kid brother, the indomitable Hon Kareem.

    The defeat which was foreseen by every dick and harry due to the glaring popularity of the victor, kept the victim unconscious for a whole calendar month. In fact, the outcome of the election dawned the awful reality on him that power had finally been shifted to the electorate, contrary to the previous mentality or tradition that with one’s money or power of incumbency as the case might be, he/she could gain power at ease.

    Indeed, it was a paradigm shift. Or, what do you think? Think about it!

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