I have been reflecting today on kindness as a basic character requirement we must look out for in those who come to us this season seeking for our support and votes. We must insist in electing persons who are kind into political offices.
In seeking for this character trait, we must be careful not to confuse wealth with kindness or kindness with ad hoc philanthropy. Let me use Senator Jarigbe Agom, and one expression of his usual kindness, to elucidate this point.
About two days ago, constituents and lecturers like Peter Inyali and Kalita Aruku were lamenting that the Governor and a certain APC House of Representatives member released millions of Naira to be shared to lecturers as transport fare to resume work following the calling off of the ASUU Strike, but that they didn’t see a dime.
In their own words, they lamented that when Senator Jarigbe Agom, a PDP member shared millions at the height of the strike as palliative, they got their share, even though they are APC members but when the APC Governor and APC House Member purportedly release theirs, they, APC members and lecturers, didn’t see shishi.
Now, let’s pick some lessons from this:
1. You can’t imitate kindness. Because Jarigbe did it, you want to do it. Imitation of kindness will always backfire. If you don’t have it, you don’t have it. Jarigbe gave at the hieght of the strike, now you want to give when strike is over. What if they died during the strike? Now, that you have even imitated and purportedly given, it is actually nothing but a fiasco. Jarigbe gave out of kindness, they are giving as a strategy to win election.
2. Once kindness becomes a strategy it lost its humanity and becomes manipulative. So, watch out when people use kindness to manipulate you to get something from you. Watch out for politicians, who they say habitually don’t even reply to greetings, being kind during the election season.
3. A kind person gives even from the little he has. Kindness is not necessarily a byproduct of wealth. Jarigbe gives because it is in his nature to give. That’s why he has projects and welfare schemes scattered over every ward in Cross River Northern Senatorial District. In fact, Senator Jarigbe has given so much to his people (he is still giving) that at times people wonder if it is the same National Assembly that their own representatives are. But the difference is that Jarigbe is kind. If you are close to him you will see how much sacrifices he makes to provide the dividends of democracy to his people.
4. Stop falling for ad hoc electoral philanthropy. The greatest act of wisdom you will display in this election is not to fall for electoral philanthropy. Don’t fall for this seasonal kindness designed to win your votes. These guys are not kind. They just want to swindle your votes. Our people are wiser now. I will not say don’t collect. No! Collect, but vote for someone who is truly kind. Someone who delivered. Someone who has a project in your community, not someone trying to commission one for election purposes.
5. Someone who is not kind will not and cannot deliver the dividends of democracy.
0 comments:
Post a Comment