The man called Dino Melaye may never grow up. Whatever might have been the seamy nature of his upbringing, good fortune placed him in circumstances that would have afforded him a re-birth. He became, first, a member of the House of Representatives, and then a member of the Senate, the highest legislative assembly of the land.

The news that closed last week from our hallowed chambers was not very cheering. It had nothing to do with any of the things we pay them such exorbitant sums to debate. It was not about the economy that needs all hands on deck. It was not about youth restiveness and rising crime.

‘’Men I’m checking out. I’m tired of no water, light, and no good roads. You can’t even find a bottle of soft drinks.” That was the 1984 NTA three-sentence storyline promo that had the late actor Enebeli Elebuwa fondly cast as Andrew. Andrew was travelling overseas in frustration that Nigerians had no public good; no electricity, no potable water, no public health system, no telephone, no schools, no roads, no security and no employment.

I read many novels in those days. But age, new responsibilities and interests have altered my focus. But I cherish the knowledge I acquired from these novels. I remember something I read in one of the novels. A man got paralysed and found himself unexpectedly in a wheelchair. He was naturally downcast and demoralized; life became meaningless. That was when somebody close to him gave him a wakeup call. He told him to stop wallowing in self pity; a man lives not by his ability to run around, but by what he’s got between his temples (his brain).

Thuggery is the reason our politics is not for everyone. Thuggery furnishes the apprehension that suffocates and debilitates politics in Nigeria. It impoverishes choice. Some families think only the suicidal opts for politics. And it cripples the very act of selecting from a wretched menu. Voters stay home to stay away from trouble .