The leadership we desire lies entirely in the hands of “Politicians.” Why? In a populace that has been largely described to be 70% made up people under 35, what is this critical mass of 70% waiting for? Yes “EnoughisEnough” and it is “Cool2Vote” but “Who are the Candidates that we will vote for in 2011?”.
Who is a Politician by Favour Afolabi
Wikipedia defines thus:
A politician or political leader is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making. This includes people who hold decision-making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election or appointment. (my emphasis and de-emphasis)
I have been compelled to ask the parliamentarians this question for a while because I have noticed how consistently a lot of us have discussed “Political Issues” with so much intensity and sagacity but rather shy away from being referred to as a Politician or being seen as one in the future.
Having watched the UK debate earlier tonight and watched several supporters/commentators/pollsters discuss the implications of same for another 2 hours, I was finally moved to ask this question: Who is a Politician?
Seeing how these fine gentlemen looked “tooshed up” exactly like their Wall Street counterparts, I had to ask myself: “How/when did these guys decide to become career Politicians?” Does anyone really go to high school, University, with the intention to come out to become a Politician?
I guess some do, at least those from families with strong political dynasties but I’m convinced most don’t; those that leave the most indelible marks in History don’t.
I think for the most part, the latter group see the burden or perceived dearth of leadership around them and then choose to become Politicians.
I believe that back at home, the reference to being a Politician is a tag considered to be rather derogatory and in fact depictive of a corrupt or intending looter of public funds.
In a populace that has been largely described to be 70% made up people under 35, I wonder who is going to change this perception? The current set of Politicians or the upcoming/intending Politicians that come from this described mass?
The leadership we desire lies entirely in the hands of “Politicians.” Why? You need to be involved in Politics to be able to run for public office/or support the right candidates that will be able to implement the strategies/policies needed for the betterment of the Nation.
Permit me to quote parts of Sections 65/177 of the Nigerian Constitution thus:
Section 65:
(1) Subject to the provisions of section 66 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified for election as a member of:
(a) the Senate, if he is a citizen of Nigeria and has attained the age of 35 years; and
(b) the House of Representatives, if he is a citizen of Nigeria and has attained the age of 30 years;
And
Section 177:
A person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if
(b) he has attained the age of thirty-five years;
So what is this critical mass of 70% waiting for? Yes “EnoughisEnough” and it is “Cool2Vote” but “Who are the Candidates that we will vote for in 2011?”
I mentioned within a thread yesterday that “some of us might have to adapt our individual passions/dreams to be able to contribute to the CHANGE that our Nation so desperately desires.
I quote again thus: “…A politician or political leader is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making.”
This statement suggests that we are all Politicians already. For every time we have joined our voices to a public protest via Facebook or public procession that inadvertently led a change in government/public policy, we have displayed the characteristic of a Politician.
In the words of Barack Obama: “…Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Congratulations, Mr. Politician, Miss Politician, and Mrs Politician; when are you declaring for office? or who are you declaring to support for office?
Reach: info@favourafolabi.com