By Douglas Anele

Due to the unsavoury experiences Nigerians have had because of incompetent political leadership at various levels over the decades, there is a seeming consensus amongst them that politics is a dirty game. This negative perception of politics, which I disagree with anyway, has discouraged many well-meaning Nigerians from active participation in politics.

Corruption, politically motivated violence, assassinations, and different forms of electoral malpractices existed even in the First Republic when the most influential triumvirate in Nigeria’s political history, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, were setting the pace in the political evolution of the newly independent country, Nigeria. Consequently, the problems associated with Nigerian politics still constitute serious impediments in our journey on the road to political maturity.

That said, it is regrettable that the topography of financial rascality, politics-with-bitterness and electoral manipulations by politicians vying for various elective positions has expanded with time, to the extent that, despite the establishment of anti-corruption agencies, the National Orientation Agency, and the knee-jack introduction of electronic data technology to forestall electoral fraud.

Those eulogising the performance of Prof. Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission in the just concluded elections exaggerate the limited successes of the polls and ignore or downplay the shenanigans that characterised the elections, which were worsened by deliberate skewed distribution of Permanent Voters Cards and epileptic performance of the Card Readers. However, since genuine progress in the socio-political domain can mainly be achieved little by little, as the Austrian-born British philosopher, Karl Popper, correctly observed, it is imperative that the next INEC chairman should build on Jega’s modest achievements.

By far the biggest problem of Nigerian politics is the high turnover of selfish and rapacious politicians with grotesque understanding of the essence of leadership. Politics, as Aristotle said, is a vocation for the noblest of human beings. Therefore, the core value of political leadership is provision of selfless service to members of the community. Unfortunately, because of several factors too complex to be discussed here, Nigerian politicians are yet to internalise the values necessary for responsible leadership. Their mindset is still dominated by insatiable craving for bulimic accumulation, which constitutes a serious mental disposition that requires psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. Even the political problems we highlighted earlier are traceable to the inordinate desire of egoistic politicians to win elections at all cost.

The inappropriate mental disposition we are talking about cuts across ethnicity, religion, party affiliation and so on. Moreover, it reflects the crisis of values consequent upon the gradual erosion of moral consciousnesses that should guide individual conduct. Dr. Babangida Aliyu, out-going governor of Niger state, captured succinctly the moral leukaemia of Nigerian politicians when he remarked that there is no morality in Nigerian politics. As a result, when a good natured and compassionate politician is elected for whatever position, he or she should be celebrated as a model for others to emulate, especially in a society where exemplary politicians are difficult to find. Barrister Innocent Arthur Egwin, member-elect representing Ideato North State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, is a politician with a concatenation of attributes necessary for top class political leadership.

At a time in our political evolution when a sizeable percentage of legislators both at the federal and state levels are half-baked, clueless, and lacking basic knowledge of jurisprudence for effective representation of their constituents, here comes a man with both cognitive and emotional intelligences for the job of lawmaking. Chief Egwim, who rose from grass to grace, from poverty to affluence by sheer determination and willpower to succeed, is not only well grounded in the rudiments of legislation but also has the sagacity to represent his people in accordance with the best traditions of lawmaking.

After obtaining his first and second degrees in Law at the University of East London, Egwim returned to Nigeria and enrolled for his doctorate in Law at the University of Lagos. With such solid academic background and uncanny ability to relate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, it is not be surprising for those of us who know him well that the new member-elect is well positioned to put his deep understanding of the essence and basis of legislation and representative government into good use for public good.

Innocent Arthur Egwim was born of a humble background, and right from childhood his pulsating intelligence and love for learning were evident to his parents and everyone around. The young Innocent could not continue his quest for education beyond the secondary school level due to financial constraints: in 1992, he had to forfeit the offer to study law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Undaunted, he channelled his considerable talents into business, and was resoundingly successful. That success did not deter him from pursuing his dream of higher education. In his own words, “Poverty should never be a barrier to education or anything, a fact of which I am a living proof. My undying love for education led me back to the university at the age of 40. I read law, went to Law School, took a Masters degree, and I’m currently a doctoral student of Law at UNILAG.”

Chief Egwim believes strongly in the aphorism that “charity begins at home.” I have observed him from close quarters; I can confidently say that Akuabata, as his friends and admirers fondly call him, is a passionate philanthropist always prepared to serve his people anytime. For example, upon his return from the United Kingdom, he accepted the position of President-General, Ishiokpo Autonomous Community, an office he held meritoriously for several years. While in that office, he attracted many developmental projects such as roads, portable water and electrification. It is in recognition of his enormous contributions to his community that, under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Egwim (the people’s servant, as he refers to himself often), won a well-deserved landslide victory over his rivals in the April 11 Imo state House of Assembly election. Anyone who meets Chief Egwin for the first time would simultaneously be disarmed and impressed by his humility, his honesty and bonhomie. Unlike most politicians, he is genuinely compassionate and kind-hearted, and is always willing to lend a helping hand in times of distress and suffering.

Based on what I know about Barr. Egwim as a bridge-builder to the core, I am completely convinced that the people of Ideato North made a wise choice by electing him into Imo state legislature. Because he is knowledgeable, creative and focused, it would be highly beneficial for the state generally if governor Rochas Okorocha and members of the legislature tap into the incredible qualities of Chief Egwim by giving him solid positions of responsibility to serve the people. Akuabata has the potentials to be a senator, governor or president In future – indeed, with his election, he has begun a rendezvous with history.

Barr. Innocent Arthur Egwim’s electoral victory is a befitting reward by his people for his achievements and stepping-stone to what promises to be a glittering political career in the future. As an astute strategist, he recognises the importance of building his political career from grassroots level as a necessary foundation for political consolidation. Jide nke iji, my amiable, smart and hardworking friend!