By Williams Olafemi
The art and science of politics is very intriguing. It is about the choice of strategic words, application of certain laid down methodology. It is a game of strategy, synergy and political sagacity; it is the scheming that cuts across every sphere of human endeavour, for the purpose of gaining relevance. Politics is an art in the sense that, it is the ability to use well thought out plan(s) to appeal and sway the mindset of the people, by being able to paint a mental picture in the brains of the people for the purpose of stirring up their emotional sensitivity and sensibility for the product. It is science because, politics is a game of numbers and of late the broad use of technology to reach and get the numbers even makes it more scientific in nature. The man who is able to win and appeal to the minds of the electorate has the tendency of getting more votes and eventually emerges. Be it science and art, It’s all about winning elections.
Prince Abubakar Audu is yet to come to terms with the realities of political maneuvering as stated above which are in conformity with our present day politics in Nigeria, failure to which there may likely be a severe defeat at the polls. He, Prince Abubakar Audu seems to be lost in reflection and ostensibly basking in the euphoria of his past glory. He is soaked on the premise that his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) is the ruling party and so he will defiantly carry the day. Lastly and probably, he tend to be relying and leaning his hopes on the raising up of his unholy hand by Mr president as the lucky charm that will grant him automatic victory at the polls, I advice him to have a rethink and wake up from hallucinations, as the people are not ready to go through pains any more and they are wiser from their previous experiences in the hands of the Prince of Niger.
Needless to say, it is an open secret that there is no love lost between Prince Abubakar Audu, the civil and public servants over the way their welfares and emoluments were being tampered with recklessly and disrespectfully, one will be of the idea that, he would come out and openly apologies to these people, making a resolute promise to them. However, the reverse is the case, it is alleged in various quarters that, Prince Abubakar Audu boasted of being the one responsible for stalling the bailout fund meant for the state to pay salaries and other benefits of its workforce so as to score a political point against the governor and which is to the detriment of the people, not minding their sufferings. Civil servants are wiser. It is said in an adage in my dialect “onje ti o ba ma yo ni, ati aro la ti mo’ (the food that will fill your stomach, it is right from when preparation commences that you will know). With this, can it be said that Prince Abubakar Audu has changed? Are the civil servants safe again if he wins?
Does Prince Abubakar Audu understand the dynamics in the art and science of politics? I do not think so, if he does, he wouldn’t have accepted a Faleke, who has no structure on ground in kogi state politics, in place of people who worked assiduously for his emergence; he won’t have accepted a Faleke who has not been a part of the agitation for power rotation or shift (which ever name you chose to call it) if he Audu really want to implement it as stated in most of his speeches. It is a slap on the faces of faithful party stalwarts, who are also qualified to be or produce a deputy. It is indeed a political suicide mission; as dissent in the party are not happy and are hell bent on scuttling the whole process either via on flimsy reason or a bogus one in the court of law court. For Faleke, there is absolutely nothing to loose, he will return to Lagos and then the National Assembly and pretends as if nothing has happened!
Let us deviate a bit from the mechanics of the art and science of politics and talk about power rotation. Prince Abubakar Audu, who canvassed for support with “power shift” as one of his campaign slogans, may eventually not relinquish power to the central or western senatorial districts. The entrance of Jibrin Isah Echocho into the APC leaves much to be desired. An in-law to Prince Abubakar Audu, there is a feeling that, there may be a sympathetic feeling towards the new entrant such that come 2019, there is a transfer of power from in-law to in-law haven been stopped twice in the PDP from becoming governor. Prince Abubakar Audu is known to be a very difficult man, not easily constrained to follow or honour an agreement and so the dream of power rotation can well be described as a mirage under him, Tinubu or not.
Alhaji Idris Wada is the man with the moral ability to honour an agreement, his word is his bond. Mr Idris Wada may not have been the best of governors but he is the safest of the pack so far. If the
desirable is not available, then the available becomes desirable. When recommendations where made to him for the pruning down of staff, he trashed that recommendation for the love of the people. What would an Audu have done? People should therefore cast their votes for a steady, healthy and focused man who is predictable, Prince Abubakar Audu is unpredictable and dangerous with power!
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