Spending in vain
Politics is expensive. Even, when the ticket is not for sale, aspirants, already used to monetisation, believe that they should wet the ground, oil the structure with funds, grandstand as
Politics is expensive. Even, when the ticket is not for sale, aspirants, already used to monetisation, believe that they should wet the ground, oil the structure with funds, grandstand as men with deep purse and challenge rivals to a naira or dollar war.
The battle for the governorship ticket in a Southwest state has started with consultations. It began with party elders across the divisions. Three contenders were on the prowl during the week, seeking advice on how to have an edge.
The first aspirant, Sam, is from the minority of minorities. He does not speak the popular native language or dialect. He is from the tourist enclave; a border town. His is leaning on zoning, which is yet to be agreed, and could eventually pale into day dreaming.
No governor has come from his area, despite its comparative voting strength. His ambition is not intimidating.
The second is Abdul, a popular politician with dual personalities. His slogan has been 'Power for the son of the soil.' This is infuriating to residents who are not 'natives.' He once defected from the party and fired salvos at the entire party structure what it described as its culture of imposition. In his second coming, he is changing tactics. But the past perception is not fading. Non-natives fear him because of his old ethnic slogan, which they fear may resurface. He is not a heavyweight. But he draws attention through noisemaking.
The third, Dapo, has held the power firmly in his hands before. But, it slipped away through carelessness. He is not out directly, but by proxy. He covets the exalted seat, but is haunted by the past.
READ ALSO: Lagos under-bridge communities where street children, youths find homes
As the three intensified their consultations, party elders actually listened to them, after all, they backed the consultations with cash.
As they moved from one elder to the other, they dropped 'big money.' The elders usually responded with customary big thanks. Nothing more.
Then, an elder, after hosting them, would advise each aspirant to also visit other colleagues for imaginary blessings. The goal is to make the cash go round.
Asked about the chances of the three, one party elder from one of the three districts retorted: "It is surprising that these aspirants are coming to us when it is clear that all of us together lack the power to anoint a candidate."
Shedding light on his line of thought, he said "aspirants like to wander about. Instead of visiting all of us, is it not better that the gods should open his eyes to just visit only one of us and his prayer will be answered?"
Asked to offer more explanations, he declined, saying: "I am not the oracle."
Then, the moral question. Why not reject the monetary gift from the aspirant? His answer: "The aspirants have the fundamental right to aspire. In aspiring, they have the right to visit us. It is also within their right to give us money. I only exercised my right not to reject the money. I never looted a bank."
If after the consultations and spending money and the aspirant is not picked as a candidate, what happens?
The elder thundered: "Spending in vain is part of politics. There will always be a next time."
