MONEY POLITICS, A SET BACK TO NIGERIA, SAYS ANGLICAN PRIMATE
The Primate also noted that the electorates have become used to being induced with money and this has been making them to choose wrong leaders, stressing that Nigerians are yet to allow the crop of politicians and leaders who will move this country forward
Hear him ‘Nigeria are yet to allow the crop of politicians and leaders who will move this country forward, unfortunately, people pursuing selfish, ethnic, religious and demonic agenda on the platform of politics and leadership are being elected as our leaders.”
Penpushing further reports that, Okoh pointed out that men of integrity and sound character cannot contest elections unless they have amassed wealth, and are willing to spend lavishly on campaigns, vote buying, hiring of thugs and other vices.
The cleric added that all these make it difficult for a servant leader to win election in Nigeria stressing that the implication of these is that Nigeria may never have a good leadership until her politics is liberated from the power of money.
“The struggle by every section to occupy positions create politics of desperation, the endemic corruption in this country has eaten deep into Nigeria electoral process, and as a result of this, the process can hardly produce the right candidates for good leadership, instead, the wrong people fight their way ruthlessly and desperately to power in utter disregarded the standing electoral rules.”
The Anglican Primate reiterated further that monetary benefit has become the key motivating factors for most politicians who wanted to serve, therefore become a good paying business that some politicians can even borrow money to contest election and will go any length to ensure they recover the money spent thus resulting in desperation.
Penpushing also reports that, while speaking on the topic of the lecture, Okoh posited that politics of desperation thrives because of the absence of a true servant leadership spirit among the public office seekers and holders, as well as the generality of the populace, noting that Nigeria has been in search for a servant leaders in a profound sense since it existence as a nation.
“Servant leadership portrays the nature and purpose of man’s leadership over the societies or nation, they are not enabled to occupy position of leadership for the sheer pleasure of being, autocratic, oppressive or exploitative, but in order that they might serve the people under God.”
The clergyman, highlighted qualities of a servant leader such as sacrifice/self-denial, service, suffering, humility, passion for improvement, accountability, integrity, law abiding, impartial, contentment, and disciplined, among others.
Penpushing reports that, he however recommends that for Nigeria to have a way out, there should be a way to reduce the financial rewards of political office holders at the three levels of government so that only those that really want to serve will come forward, adding that religious body should also recapture the teaching on sacrifice, self-denial, selfless service, suffering for righteousness, contentment and humility.
“Training for selfless service should start in the home, the zoning of Presidential office should be institutionalized, and this will reduce tension and fund expended on electioneering. Monetary requirement for buying nomination forms from political parties should be constitutionally reduced so that poor man can afford it and contest, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should engage in vigorous campaigns on the danger of collecting money from aspirant during election.
