There is no better time to discuss the matter of selection of a leader for our dear State than now. One of the main objectives of this movement is to able to ensure the actualisation of the Plateau heritage. We cannot do this by criticism only when events have occurred, but need to be able to move people to understand what should form the focus of ideology towards ensuring that one that has a passionate desire to bring about our collective dream to fruition emerges. It is not hidden the fact that we are in dire need of economic growth, employment generation, basic educational support for school children as well as adequate health care provision. The matter of security is second to none other, if tourism is to be boosted. The latter is not only from sporadic attacks from the "hedgehog" as explained from my earlier article, but from continued internal terrorism posed by theft, organised armed banditry and kidnapping. To be able to understand these collective goals, our people will need to be dissuaded from accepting "salt and change of raiment" penultimate to elections aimed at buying their consciences. You agree with me that this recommended change of attitude will require a long time and mobilisation support to achieve. We shall keep in view this as a long term goal for the MOVEMENT.
In less than four months, we have a short time to be engaged in this laudable objective of moving our recommendations from the electronic media to grass root ideologies. With the insatiable appetite of the hedgehog for blood-letting on the Jos Plateau, and due to the recent bomb blast incidents, we should be able to sell our recommendations. People on the Plateau are gradually understanding who among the politicians are self-seeking and hence changing their priorities to appreciate long term goals rather than "spoonfuls of porridge" for immediate gratification of prolonged starvation. It has been these immediate gains that led some among our fathers to sell our heritage that has led to the current proverbial "fish-bone down the throat" phenomenon for which we, the children have had to be drooling saliva from. It definitely has never been the best of times for our dear land.
The selection of credible people for positions of authority should and could have been done during party primaries. For lack of "specifications", the one who can pay the bills often gets selected to represent the party in most instances. I know that apart from being able to pay the nomination fee and show of interest fee, the only other criteria is to have been a card-carrying member. Hasty checks on codes of conduct are provided with the mere procedural modality of ticking the boxes carried out by an incapacitated system. So, you notice that the chance of those whose business have been self-seeking and robbery to emerge is high. With a promised transparent electoral system in place, we can choose to believe the propaganda for once and ensure that one whose qualities we shall further enumerate becomes our leader. Since we have the mandate to determine who wins at the polls, we hope that one or two political parties, or an independent candidate will produce credible candidates.
We may have little or no resources for our campaign but I believe we have got links to families who can spread the word to their neighbours. The query remains unsorted. Who becomes leader for the State?
I wish I had a name to provide, but I leave the choice to our collective minds. It is always easy to identify who does not deserve our vote based on past "wrongs" committed in the community- some of which are relative, ranging from being perceived as "not greeting me" to sponsor of terror attacks on the peace-loving people of our land. Basing our choice on identification of a saint shall thus elude our quest. We need to identify one whose records are glaringly not hidden from us. A man or woman who has been involved in community activities pre dating the election time. There is a difference between someone who criticises the government for not providing water for the people and one that mobilises the community to provide and or make safe a clean source of drinking water for example.
Commissions of enquiry have been sitting severally in Jos to listen to how to solve the problems of peace on the Plateau. Some people for wanting to be "politically correct" have kept mute, not enthusiastically articulate, or did not even submit any memorandum to the members of these Commissions. Sure, we know them. How do we think they can defend what we stand for overnight if elected?
Let us look at the aspect of engagement of our youths in productive ventures as well as employment generation. Many previous politicians have used the principles of fish distribution to win votes. We need to let the current generation know that we want to be taught how to manipulate the fish-net and hooks. Our loyalty will span the term of office and ensure continued support against disgruntled moves. They should know that if we are restricted to the fish and cow option, we will opt for the highest bidder and yet remain aloof to their plight during governance. To ensure that one who knows how to create jobs and use human resources, entrepreneurship or engagement of our siblings in federal-character controlled job openings, the past records of these people shall be helpfully consulted from fora such as sister organisations. How many industries has been created by the person? Has he been helpful with scholarships for financially challenged promising locals? Any earlier advocacy for the development of the human resources that we have in the State? Look at his/her immediate extended family. Has he/she been living for me, myself and I and not supportive to those around him/her? We can be sure that such a person would continue to be that way after the mandate. Any change will only be minimal and utilised to advance his/her ambition alone. This has often produced sycophants and politically-motivated annihilations, often distracting one from the actual governance; besides being a niche around which other crises breed.
Previous records of leadership should not be hastily dismissed. This should however be low down in the list of priorities for making a decision as tenures come and go and no one person continues forever.
We should therefore watch out for one whose proactive venom is strongly loaded with zeal to produce a dream state for all of us on the Plateau. A place that shall be the envy of the other States of the federation. A dry old stick cannot be easily bent. Move away from those who steal resources from us and donate same at launchings, accompanied by long speeches. We must not be guided by their supposed "God-given visions", but by sound and rational evaluations of what we consider to make good and purposeful leadership. Their story of how they had conquered the lion and the bear must have been accompanied by an evidence of haven participated in delivering our people during distressed situations. He does not need to be tall and handsome, but able to battle the hedgehog and not giving promises to woo those who can handle the current issues on the Plateau.
Nimzing Ladep
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