NOW that the ominous political atmosphere has dispersed, the realities of war and strife gone, because the ruling party of PDP stepped backwards, we now have peace, thanks to God. We must now reassess our political behaviours that send us to the precipice at every election. It is beautiful to live and work in peace.  Therefore, I will be looking at the ratio decidendi.

From the beginning of political activities in Nigeria, from 1914, our foundation fathers who wrestled Independence from Britain, drew the road map on which Nigeria is to advance, and became National Heroes. Their names are found in the Nigerian history books and important landmarks: airports, schools, currencies. They are heroes gone bye.

But today, new generation of political transformers who have struggled away from political routine and stereotype have emerged. Because of bad governance, war drums are sounded at every election. The society knows of no other way of politicking. Early political development of Nigeria from 1914 till date is replete with violence: (Western Region 1963 to 1966) winner takes all syndrome, carpet crossing. The ordinary citizens are yet to come to terms with this development.

But there are quite a few of these new dawn politicians, in my view, who have already excelled. These men have used good thinking as a tool in the delivery of services to the people, and the discharge of their responsibilities as never before. They dared the so-called political godfathers whose responsibility is to selfishly cause retardation. They battled them and saw them off. They became warlords. Ngige, Fashola, they all suffered this godfather menace. There is one in Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio. They are the ex governors whose leadership style has given us hope that Nigeria can be as good as Western countries. It is loudest in Lagos that was excavated from the dunghill that retarded the acceptance of the city as modern and rated the 3rd dirtiest in the world.

For the love of Nigeria, a country loved by the whole world, a country constantly expected to rule the world, in terms of resources, population, sports, militarism, influence; we can now see signs that we can attain this expectation, as the skyline changes. These are facts of the present time in our political development.

While walking along the Marina, not long ago, the photographic images of all the past and present Governors and military administrators of this state from 1968 when Lagos State was created were displayed and hung on a fence wall of car parks overlooking the Wema Bank head office on the Marina, Lagos, stating their achievements. The picture of the immediate past Governor, B.R.Fashola, SAN, was without any record. I thought it is unfair and deliberate, for by his  famous achievements as the one who turned Lagos around, the one whose fame and great works APC gained victory at the recent polls. It left me wondering at the mischief. Before he came, people were moving away from Lagos because of its notoriety for mounts of rubbish located at every corner of the streets, oozing our stench, and the myriads of militia groups that forcefully collect “taxes” for themselves. These ugly situations threw him up for the work and he performed. We started seeing gardens and parks, and these have come to stay. It is his recognition of the management principle that hygiene factor can be responsible for the decline or uplift of a state that he gave Lagos hygiene. The world acknowledged and praised this phenomenon.

Realizing he cannot succeed without funds, he launched a vibrant tax drive which made his salvage mission attainable. Like all transformation agents he had his darkest nights which only him can speak about. It never was this good for Lagos. He deserves even higher duties for our sakes.

Also in Akwa Ibom state, an uncommon transformation occurred where Godswill Akpabio, enigmatic politician, did the work of a lifetime in only eight years. He took that state from obscurity to limelight, turning everything around: the people and infrastructure. His people who were known for little achievements are now competing at the top. T

The Catholic Bishop of Awka had this to say about ex-governor, Dr. Chris Ngige: “Before the arrival of this great Governor, government money was believed to be insufficient for governing until Ngige came to prove it a fallacy. Civil servants who were owed nine months of salary now receive pay promptly. Abandoned works completed and enough change is left.”       .

And the big one, ex President Jonathan, humble and patient, the one who has given Nigeria hope anew  by agreeing to be defeated in the last general election for the sake of Nigeria. By “surrendering” he pulled us back from the precipice of disintegration. Everyone prepared for war or flight, but it was not to be. Alleluia. By his surrendering, he purchased peace for Nigeria, the most needed resource.Hopefully, their records may be overtaken by their successors pro bono Nigeriae (for Nigeria’s benefit.) Let’s have more of them.

Mr.  Chioke  Hanum, a social critc, wrote from Lagos.