Ebira youth congress: A call for political sabbatical
- Details
- Category: Comments
- Written by Pastor Joseph S. Manjoe
- Hits: 836
In its November, 2009 special summit the Ebira Youth Congress canvassed a position that has since stirred the hornet’s nest, which is that the political leaders of Ebiraland, who dominate the political landscape now should go on political sabbatical.
The call was succinct enough, without recourse to any intellectual gymnastics. It was a call urging the present crop of political leaders in the land to retreat. The import of sabbatical therefore, carry a moral tenor, namely, that our leaders retreat for sober reflection, sober study, at least of the political temperature or condition of the land. On both face and depth value, the EYC ‘s call is patently harmless and carries with it the promise of patriotism, statesmanship and love for the Ebira nation. It is not a call for political extinction as being seen by these politicians, their co-travellers and hangers on.
But expectedly, when grand ambition is to be cut short or put at bay by such call we expect nothing short of outburst of protests. One of such protests has come from the deputy governor, Mr. Philip Salawu, who claimed he has been endorsed by the Igala Youth Council and Ebira People’s Association for the 2011 governorship race in the state.
As far as the deputy is concerned any opinion that is contrary to his self-ambition is a taboo and a sacrilege of sort - playing god?
To our honourable representative member, Hon. A.K. Salihu, his inclusion in the sabbatical leave list was unfair. To him, he was a victim of Ebira political shananigans because his house was burnt. While the EYC sympathise with him he should be reminded that the EYC is more concerned about the millions of Ebira victims of the political mayhem unleashed on the land and who may never be able to rebuild their houses as our honourable member was fortunate to do.
The EYC is peopled by eggheads who are restlessly agitated about the ugly trends in their land. They represent the youths and their interests. These youths had been cannon fodders used by the current class of hyper-controversial old guard politicians to attain their insular aims.
That most of our present political leaders have forfeited their conscience for a mess of pottage is as obvious as nightfall. That many of our politicians became pernicious gadflies and troublers of our land is not in doubt. They have used our youths as thugs. They have infested the land with silos of deadly weapons. Our political leaders have unwittingly left the land in irreconcilable partisan fissures. They have adopted mutual policy of containment rather than evolve the tactics of horse trading.
The future of Ebiraland is bleaker and blighted by the continued operations of these unrepentant political sadists. These are issues that the EYC sought to address by its righteous call for political sabbatical. And these are issues that can not be controverted. The EYC was dispassionate about its call and did not call any of the politician’s names to make itself clear, it didn’t throw mud at any imaginary enemies.
The old politicians have the right to parade affluence, influence and power. They have the right to nurse ambition. Ebira is larger than the whole bunch of fossilized politicians. And the corporate wellbeing of the land stands taller than the height of any individual or group.
However, despite these facts, can the EYC’s call materialize? Does the EYC have any legal instrument to wield against those politicians? If they (the politicians) have the constitutional liberty to view or aspire for any office, can generic interest stop them?
In the face of all these, it is the will power, doggedness and co-operation of the youths that can do the magic. The youths stand constantly challenged by unemployment and poverty. Since these politicians have welded themselves into some political machine, youths become putty in heir hands. A youth who has not seen N20, OOO in life could easily be lured by these politicians with N50, OOO. But if the EYC can sensitize and mobilize these youths not to queue behind the old guards, then a bloodless revolution is about to break forth in the land. The eminent personalities who applauded the EYC’s call for sabbatical must team up with the youths in vows and action to send these seeming foxes back into their holes for a while. This move would make any politician know that political leadership is not a birthright, but about stewardship and accountability.
Pastor Manjoe is the immediate past President General of Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) and a Chief Lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Okene
Articles
Ebira youth congress: A call for political sabbatical
Category: Comments Written by Pastor Joseph S. Manjoe Hits: 836
In its November, 2009 special summit the Ebira Youth Congress canvassed a position that has since stirred the hornet’s nest, which is that the political leaders of Ebiraland, who dominate the political landscape now should go on political sabbatical.
The call was succinct enough, without recourse to any intellectual gymnastics. It was a call urging the present crop of political leaders in the land to retreat. The import of sabbatical therefore, carry a moral tenor, namely, that our leaders retreat for sober reflection, sober study, at least of the political temperature or condition of the land. On both face and depth value, the EYC ‘s call is patently harmless and carries with it the promise of patriotism, statesmanship and love for the Ebira nation. It is not a call for political extinction as being seen by these politicians, their co-travellers and hangers on.
But expectedly, when grand ambition is to be cut short or put at bay by such call we expect nothing short of outburst of protests. One of such protests has come from the deputy governor, Mr. Philip Salawu, who claimed he has been endorsed by the Igala Youth Council and Ebira People’s Association for the 2011 governorship race in the state.
As far as the deputy is concerned any opinion that is contrary to his self-ambition is a taboo and a sacrilege of sort - playing god?
To our honourable representative member, Hon. A.K. Salihu, his inclusion in the sabbatical leave list was unfair. To him, he was a victim of Ebira political shananigans because his house was burnt. While the EYC sympathise with him he should be reminded that the EYC is more concerned about the millions of Ebira victims of the political mayhem unleashed on the land and who may never be able to rebuild their houses as our honourable member was fortunate to do.
The EYC is peopled by eggheads who are restlessly agitated about the ugly trends in their land. They represent the youths and their interests. These youths had been cannon fodders used by the current class of hyper-controversial old guard politicians to attain their insular aims.
That most of our present political leaders have forfeited their conscience for a mess of pottage is as obvious as nightfall. That many of our politicians became pernicious gadflies and troublers of our land is not in doubt. They have used our youths as thugs. They have infested the land with silos of deadly weapons. Our political leaders have unwittingly left the land in irreconcilable partisan fissures. They have adopted mutual policy of containment rather than evolve the tactics of horse trading.
The future of Ebiraland is bleaker and blighted by the continued operations of these unrepentant political sadists. These are issues that the EYC sought to address by its righteous call for political sabbatical. And these are issues that can not be controverted. The EYC was dispassionate about its call and did not call any of the politician’s names to make itself clear, it didn’t throw mud at any imaginary enemies.
The old politicians have the right to parade affluence, influence and power. They have the right to nurse ambition. Ebira is larger than the whole bunch of fossilized politicians. And the corporate wellbeing of the land stands taller than the height of any individual or group.
However, despite these facts, can the EYC’s call materialize? Does the EYC have any legal instrument to wield against those politicians? If they (the politicians) have the constitutional liberty to view or aspire for any office, can generic interest stop them?
In the face of all these, it is the will power, doggedness and co-operation of the youths that can do the magic. The youths stand constantly challenged by unemployment and poverty. Since these politicians have welded themselves into some political machine, youths become putty in heir hands. A youth who has not seen N20, OOO in life could easily be lured by these politicians with N50, OOO. But if the EYC can sensitize and mobilize these youths not to queue behind the old guards, then a bloodless revolution is about to break forth in the land. The eminent personalities who applauded the EYC’s call for sabbatical must team up with the youths in vows and action to send these seeming foxes back into their holes for a while. This move would make any politician know that political leadership is not a birthright, but about stewardship and accountability.
Pastor Manjoe is the immediate past President General of Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) and a Chief Lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Okene