Article written by Charly Boy...
Yesoooo! I no reach? The whole country is currently agog with political rallies everywhere. Most Politicians/magicians are out with their jack knives, long spoons, guns and God knows what. As I lament over our obnoxious predicament, the phone rings, my uncle Chief OgbuaguUzukwuNsofor summoning me to his house. Unano go believe weytin we yarn! He called me to ask me to join politics and campaign for a political position. Haba! Me? Like how, for where? Who die? Kai!Tufiakwa was my immediate response.
Why will I want to join the
bandwagon of thieves and criminals with no pedigree or honour? But he went on
to extoll all the good virtues that he believed that I had which he said was
badly needed in the political arena of today. He said I was transparent, honest
and dedicated to service so he was sure that I wouldn't get into politics to
steal from the people. Of course I had a good laugh, but as soon as I got back
to my hotel room, it left me thinking deeply.
If the few men with integrity,
honour and virtue avoid getting into politics because the arena is clogged with
thieves and criminals who have no value for the honour in their words or their
pledge to the people then how will Nigeria ever get better!! Biko tell me. Because the scammers,
riffraffs, 419ers and those who are drunk on ripping off our treasury can never
let go without drawing blood. God, are you sleeping sef? Why do the vile and evil amongst us get away with murder?
That night I got no sleep, I kept
tossing and pondering and the answers I kept getting was why not, if not? Dem get two heads? Why shouldn't I delve
into politics and create this change I have so badly advocated for since I
became Charlyboy. After all, if change must come, the agents of change must be
at the fore front of the struggle. It is not enough to be an armchair critic.
If people like Fashola can make Lagos work irrespective of how diverse Lagos is
and the known and unknown challenges he faces in the hands of the shylocks,
then I Charles Oputa can do the same? Or can’t I?
If it is aboutgragra, I have some measure of street in
me to play, if it's about
qualifications, I'm more than qualified based on the constitution of the
country and of course you know my pedigree is unquestionable so why can't I vie
for a political position?
See me see matter, my thoughts
began to run wild strategizing my plans, what party is credible enough for me
to campaign under, what position do I want to serve in? How do I build a
reputable team to work with? My mind was racing, my heart beating faster and
faster, because in this game, it's do or die. I don't mind the dying but can I
deal with the doing? Odiofele?
All this strategizing is draining
me mentally and emotionally. How can this change be actualized? All this
thoughts are making me think about my father. I'm missing him badly and I
wonder, if Justice ChukwudifuOputa was still alive, can he ever delve into
politic as one of those change agents we need to steer this nation forward? I
can categorically tell you that the answer will be, HELL NO!
Knowing him, I know he would not want to mess with meddling into the
murky waters that flows in our politics of today. But me, Charlyboy, am I not
rugged enough to deal with some of these mother f..king assholes? After all a
few Governors and ministers have experienced the soar taste of Charlyboy when they
crossed the line, nonsense! I send dem?
Don't get me wrong, not everyone
in politics is corrupt, there are a few insignificant minority who are
honourably serving the people they pledged to serve on the platform they have
chosen, however their efforts get swallowed up by all the corrupt majority.
My recent trip to Abia state was
as a result of my conviction of one of these few good people who have made
money through hard-work and now wants to serve his people in Abia state by
aspiring to become the governor of the state. I'm talking of Dr. Alex Otti,
former group manager and CEO of Diamond bank. For the first time ever, I saw
myself standing behind someone I had faith in, someone who in my heart I
believe could make a difference if given the opportunity, but he appears too
much of a gentleman. And my question is, can he deal with some funny characters
and charlatans already in the system?
An ethical line has been crossed
by our yahoo yahoo leaders. Governments can’t act freely without lying and
democracy can’t function in this neck of the woods, sorry, we are not that
sophisticated in our thoughts or mindset. Our trust in politicians has been
damaged, over the years. Poverty and fear has weakened our resolve to build a
better environment for our children. We no longer care about how we’re
governed. Politicians and corruption continues unchecked. They are all
interested in winning this election by hook or by crook, what happens after May
2015, what kind of Nigeria and Nigerians will they lead? For sure the violence
after May 2015 will make Boko Haram look like child's play, because boys are
angry, and for those whose duties are to protect lives and properties of the
common man have failed because they couldn't careless, must know that even
their protection with all the brigade of security operatives can never be
guaranteed, they will be like sitting ducks, when the shit hits the fan.
About my ambition in running for
a political position? I believe I have always been involved in the politics of
change. Showing young Nigerians that values like, hard work, honesty, focus,
consistency, and believe in self are not outdated. They are the same qualities
that have brought me this far. I thank God that I have directly or indirectly
affected the lives of millions and will continue to do so, so why me and yeye yahoo yahoo area boys go deygo struggle anything. My tenacity, is
positively affecting millions of Nigerian youths, can we say that much for most
of our leaders? God punish Satan. Nonsense!
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