There’s so much noise about how Kwara is being ruled by a particular clan or whatever you want to call it under the leadership of the former governor of Kwara State, and the current Senate president of the federal republic of Nigeria, and how the youth are clamouring to seize power and take over. This is because the leader as he is fondly called by his supporters, prefers to support someone who has had an experience within the system, and ofcourse who is chosen or accepted by the constituents he or she is representing.
Let’s use the case of President Emmanuel Macron of France, who became president at the age of 39. Macron started his career into public service after obtaining a master’s degree in public affairs at the Sciences Po, majoring in “Public Guidance and Economy” before training for a senior civil service career at the selective École nationale d’administration (ENA), training at an embassy in Nigeria and in an office in Oise before graduating in 2004.
He was appointed Deputy Secretary General to the President by François Hollande in May 2012, having been a member of the Socialist Party from 2006 to 2009. He was appointed Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs in August 2014 under the Second Valls government. He resigned in August 2016 to launch a bid in the 2017 presidential election. He won the election on 7 May 2017 with 66.1% of the vote in the second round.
You can see that even as little as some people might call it, he somehow climbed the ladder and would have learnt alot on his way up.
The same thing with most successful Governors in Nigeria. Even the current Senate president despite been born to a father who was said to be the God father of Kwara politics, held a Special Assistant portfolio with the then President Obasanjo, before coming to Kwara to run for governorship. Check them out: Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Kebbi, Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, etc.
Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) of Lagos state still remains of one of the best Governors ever (Argue with your ancestors), and he himself was a former Chief of staff to the then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thereby learning through the ropes. The man did so fantastically well that he was made a super minister.
See it’s just a simple logic, politics like every other thing is like an industry. You cannot just get to the top without some form of experience. It’s just because of how we see politics in Nigeria, or may be it’s the way past leaders have portrayed it.
In the United States for instance which has one of the strongest democracies, we have had a Father and Son become president, and the future likelihood that even the second son becoming president. During their last election, we almost had a couple presidency (It might still happen). Heavens did not fall, heavens will not fall. See just like the Dangote’s of this world study the art of industrialization, there are also some people who eat and sleep politics.
There’s this programme “On the couch Naija” being anchored by Falz and a lady called Laila. I have followed this programme closely, and recently they have been interviewing presidential aspirants for the coming elections. So far so good, amongst the ones they have interviewed, Donald Duke has been the best guest. He was articulate with his answers and seemed to know what he is talking about. This is simply because, he has been a Governor for 8 years, so take it or leave his experience makes him a bit more qualified for the coveted seat of President (Governance, experience wise).
In whatever we do, I think it is advisable for us to apply common sense. Because of the recently passed #nottoyoungtorun bill, we now have club owners, illegal miners, spare parts dealers, with no experience whatsoever in governance now aspiring to be Rep members, Senators, Governors etc.
Lastly, politics you see is mostly about interest. If not, today we won’t have defence chiefs who are all from the North. Or a vice president who was a former commissioner in the cabinet of the government of a national leader of the ruling party. Like one of my mentors use to say, “Its to rule Nigeria with all my friends”. When the previous government was in power, it was a set of people who were seemed to be enjoying, while those who are presumed to be enjoying today were wailing. The moment power shifts, everyone comes to the table with their friends and trusted allies. It is the way. You only hear noises when sharing formula becomes an issue. Muhammed bring five commissioners, Akogun you bring two, and that’s how it all goes, until someone feels sidelined again.
But just like any other Nigerian, this is just my humble opinion, which I only managed to support with statements of fact.
Adebayo Ibrahim