For years, I courted illusion. I thought that everyone was supposed to see things my way. At that time, I failed to realise that it was practically impossible to always get everyone to be on the same page. Maybe in respect to mathematics, one plus one would always be two. Even so, one plus one according to the Christian type of marriage is one. Here is an instance of something that meddles with my mind; I thought we all agreed that most Nigerian politicians are really bad, right? If that be the case, why then do we go on campaigning for the same set of politicians that we so much criticize?
The answer is “perspective”. Every perspective sits on a background or history. A Seyi Tinubu kind of background would most likely approve of the current political leadership as compared to an El-Rufai kind of background. The mere fact that we tend to see things uniquely leaves room for divergent perspectives. Beyond wanting others to see and accept things our way, we must learn to respect and accept superior perspectives. In other words, no human owns the right of “Always correct”.
The leadership of the Nigerian Catholic Bishops recently had a frank talk with the Presidency. They made sure to tell the president in clear terms that all is not well with his leadership. Since it wasn’t the usual charade that goes thus “On your mandate we shall stand…” The president immediately told the clergy men that he believes that “in politics, all is fair”. Was the president, right? Maybe.
From the quarters of the presidency, the clergy men were accused of partisanship. The responses surprised no one. Afterall, agreeing with the clergymen is equal to submitting one’s resignation letter. The Daniel Bwalas and Omojuwas of this clime see things differently not because they are in want of truth. They do so because they are oxygenated by the very institution that the Clergymen sought to crucify. Afterall, they are not the type to be touched with the infirmities of ordinary Nigerians. Again, my dismissal of the Presidency response is reliant up my background. There are quite a number of factors that influence our opinion.
If it were possible, the current collection of the Nigerian leadership would rather that we (masses) let them play the role of a driver and that of a passenger. For instance, the presidency would have a conversation that goes thus;
Presidency: Hello Nigerians, I have given you security.
Nigerians: Yes Sir.
Presidency: Thirty persons were killed two days ago. We sent our condolence and directed the security force to carry out a thorough investigation. That is the best that any government can do right?
Nigerians: Yes Sir
Presidency: I have increased salaries and approved loans for students. That is a fatherly gesture. You should thank me. Stop asking me to account the for the various loans that we are taking. The national assembly is aware. Please, let me do the thinking.
Nigerians: Yes Sir. You are the best thing that has happened to this country. Rule on- for all we know is as told unto us.
Sometimes I laugh at our shallowness and sometimes I cry for our sheer ability to host abnormality with the most welcoming arm.
– Olayinka Kayode
olayinkakayodekingsley@gmail.com
