By Odua Ofuani

The American Presidential system of government which we currently practice in Nigeria is said to be a system of perpetual campaigns. The end of one election is but a beginning for the next. It is just a little over one year now since the 2011 general elections and the drumbeats for the 2015 elections are already beginning to sound.

As one of the first steps, a politician set out recently for a meeting with over one hundred youths in a local government area in his state to share his vision of the future with them and the experience was quite intriguing. As he looked around the sea of expectant youthful faces, his heart sank and his courage almost failed him. It suddenly occurred to him that the right place to begin was to ask them what their expectations were.

He wanted to hear their fears, their hopes and their aspirations to guide him. The youths were quite forthright about how they had been used and abused previously by politicians. He could feel the rising level of suspicion and skepticism that he was just another politician coming to sell them the same jaded tale.

One of the bolder ones spoke about the member representing his constituency in the State House of Assembly who only picks their calls nowadays to inform them that he is either in South Africa or some foreign location and asserted that they are waiting for him at the next election.

He understood their anger and disappointment but he also thought that it would be useful to illuminate the crisis of failed expectations. Another youth spoke about joblessness, lack of empowerment and grinding poverty, and how, all around them were clear evidence of wealth from the oil fields in their land. He therefore stated unequivocally, that the youths require empowerment through provision of ‘okada’ for instance.

Another youth suggested, putting them on a payroll during the electioneering period, however long that lasts. No matter what the complaints were, they were unanimous in affirming their desire to see change in the polity. It was now his turn to speak.

Warming up to them, he said that if the foundation of the ambitious politician’s generosity was perhaps his wealth, then, he must have an overwhelming belief in the public good that can be done through public office to invest such substantial wealth in the philanthropic gestures that are only designed to earn him electoral accolades.

He asserted that their collective experience seemed to support the latter case and that they should be concerned about the source of the expected returns on investment. Clearly, the legitimate remuneration of a legislator cannot by any stretch be the source of the expected returns on investment as it will largely be far less than the electoral expenses. To avoid possible loss on his investment, the legislator will have to engage in activities in office that are at variance with the laws.

Undoubtedly, this is the root cause of the pervasive corrupt practices that politicians are frequently blamed for. He presaged that “It will even be worse, if the source of the philanthropic gestures was borrowed funds that have to be repaid with interest before considering extra returns to the politician for his efforts”.

He then asked them whether it was still right for them to expect that their interests would be served if they ask the aspiring politician to empower them first in return for their support. “Herein lies the danger” he said, “because the process suggested by them for gaining their support contained within it, the seeds of future disappointment.”

Now, he had their attention fully as he explained that the change that they desired called for sacrifice on all sides. “How much were they willing to sacrifice for the change they desire?” He asked, rather rhetorically.

At this point, he delivered a frank message. “Poverty is a fact of human existence but each of you can do something about it” he said. No government can outlaw poverty. Each of the youth has a responsibility to acquire knowledge and skills that will raise his usefulness to society and productivity.  This is what enhances his earning capacity and therefore his ability to deal with poverty.

On the other hand, the responsibility of government is to create opportunities for the useful application of the youth’s knowledge and skills. This can be achieved by an efficient prioritization of resource utilization and transparency in administration to eliminate reward distortions which fuel corruption. If government creates the opportunities and the youth fails to acquire the required skill and knowledge, there is no way that youth can escape the clutches of poverty.

He therefore counseled them that the man who seeks their votes to lead them must do so, not as a business investment but because he possesses the competencies to provide effective and transparent leadership. The youths who desire change must also learn to evaluate the critical competencies of aspirants and be prepared to act as volunteers to ensure that the right candidate is elected in their area instead of seeking the highest bidder or making intolerable financial demands from aspirants as payment for their support.

There was a deafening silence as he looked round at their faces again trying to gauge the impact of his words on them. His consolation was in the vote of thanks which appeared to be very sincere. Indeed, change had begun. He wished them well as he took his leave.

*Odua Clement Ofuani, wrote in from Abuja