Hon Dan Jiya fondly called Brazil emphatically said,“I have been eyeing this position of leadership since 2009”. He has been heavily involved in consultations the point that he has conducted researches across the state to find out what the people want, what they need, their perspective on governance coupled with many other issues that are dear to them. So,he has gone very far and wide. A commitment like this is not a commitment you make overnight and there are a whole lot of people that part and parcel of that decision. He is still in the process of his consultations and have just received a report from his field consultations which have helped him conduct this study.
He briefly stated this to Alfa Tijani in a conversation that he is currently digesting it with other members of his team. He has shared it with the governor and other stakeholders. At the appropriate time, his decision will be made public. If you take a decision like this, it is not a decision you take alone. Because once you are in, you cannot come out. You take it all the way to the end. If his experience in 2007 is anything to go by, many people will expect him never to turn back.
That is the insurance that he will be giving everybody. Otherwise, his political career will be over before it even starts. There will be no going back once you decide to run. People still walk up to him and chastise him.
What informed his decision to get involved in active politics
He said, to him,“politics is a duty and not a privilege”. He don’t think we should go into politics because of what you can get or what you can gain. He has joined politics because he want to give and empower our youths and the society in general. But like I have consistently said in previous interviews, he is taking all this responsibility to himself. He want government to live up to it’s own responsibilities too. As private individuals, we provide our own light, water, education, health and security.
That might be okay for him and you, but what about the less privileged ? Those who are better off and in better position should start to ask themselves what they give back so that the less privileged can also have benefits ? Until we can do that, then there should be no peace for any of us. So, I want peace and I want peace of mind. That is why I am going into politics. He has come to conclusion that unless you have equality, justice and fairness, there won’t be peace for any of us. That, to him, is a non-negotiable position.
But we can do far better than we are doing now. Politics is too important to be left to politicians. He want the less privileged to have a wider representative voice and in all his life, he has always desired a better life for his people and the society in general.
His plans
Well, everybody comes into politics with their different perspectives. So, don’t let us start talking about his manifesto before he make a declaration. There is no doubt that others have done very well in a variety of areas. Though even he would admit that knowing what he knows now, there are many things he would have done differently, he said .
Also speaking at the time of filing this report, an elder statesman said“Brazil in all his life, has always desired a better life for his people and the society in general.”
Hon Dan Jiya can be reached via email: Zajiyad@gmail.com
Alfa Tijani, a social crusader, writes from Ajaka, Igalamela/Odolu LGA Of Kogi State.
