A model for politicians

THE  dysfunction in Nigeria makes political positions  authoritarian even in a democracy.

Now, politicians give preconditions for loyalty to Nigeria. This is not so in the military. A soldier understands what another soldier wants. Soldiers work with the same mind, speak their lingo and interpret acts exactly as they want them.

Officers are taught the art of leadership, together with academics and other nuances of the profession.Even though soldiers die at a moment’s notice, many still enlist anyway. They love fighting for the country.

When war breaks out, commanding officers do not indulge foot soldiers with fairy tales but tell them eye-to-eye that they may die in battle.  Yet, many go into battle and die with a gung-ho spirit. How many professions are there that put the country first?

I wish that people aspiring for political offices could be mandated to live in the barracks for weeks and attend leadership training courses delivered by top-notch military strategists. This surely will prepare them for the art of governance, especially mission-driven governance.

They will acquire the skills needed for working with diverse classes of people. That way, there would be no glorification of intemperate behaviour by many people.

Most of the troubles in Nigeria (Sharia crises, militancy, Boko Haram, agitation for secession) were caused by politicians who refused to play by the rules.

I still can’t fathom how and why people of low consciousness in spiritual (not religious) matters rise to become political leaders in Nigeria.

Politicians must  learn to play down their individual egos and begin to see life from the prism of how they might impact the lives of others in their own little ways.

• Simon Abah,

Port Harcourt