SHALLOW POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND CANDIDATES

Perhaps nothing illustrates more painfully and tragically the paucity of ideas of those aspiring for political office in the land, than the current run of shallow and poorly conceptualized media campaigns.

It is a rarity to find any idea-driven or intellectually stimulating political campaign where the candidate explains to the electorate the road map for taking them from where they are now to where they ought to be.

John C. Maxwell describes a leader as one who knows the way, goes the way and SHOWS THE WAY.

Current political campaigns do not articulate the way forward. There are no clear electoral manifestos, blueprint or road map. The aspirants do not detail how they intend inspiring or stirring us to greatness or lifting us out of the present quagmire. Gene Mauch posits that you can't lead anyone further than you have gone yourself.

Some of the political campaigns border on the hilarious. Rather than present a clear and concise blueprint, politicians indulge in showing us pictures they took (crass opportunism?) with celebrated world leaders and celebrities. The pictures show them having handshakes with the likes of Barack Obama or standing next to Hilary Clinton at a public function. How do these pictures translate to a concrete plan for transforming the economy or turning around the tide of slippage?

In a desperate mix of religion and politics, popular campaign slogans include: "God's finger at work!", "God's choice for Nigeria!", and "Messianic call!"

Some politicians take the religious gamble further by attending conventions and conferences and congregate at the feet of popular clergymen for endorsement. This is mixing religion and politics in an unsavoury, combustible and despicable manner.

Politicians play on the gullibility of the largely ignorant public. But by their political campaigns, credentials, pedigree and previous accomplishments, we can separate the wheat from the chaff.

Political aspirants can be likened to job applicants seeking employment. Aspirants should rightly campaign about their achievements and the transformation they intend bringing to the polity. We need more idea-driven, robust debates.
We cannot achieve the historic and revolutionary transformations that occurred in Malaysia, Indonesia and China without a mental and attitudinal change in our approach to politics and the calibre of aspirants seeking the mandate of the people.

It took us a while to get to this sorry state. It might also take some time to clean out the mess. The culture of avarice and corruption is deeply woven into our national fabric. Our values require a total transformation. To achieve this will require sincere and courageous leadership. We need to call forth great leaders. According to Tallyrand, a French diplomat, the only safe ship in a storm is leadership. We need leaders who can inspire us to be what we know we could be. It will also require more activism and less docility from the populace. We need to ask questions of our leaders and political office aspirants. The power to question is the basis of all human progress – Indira Ghandi.