The little boy in all politicians

Rasheed Sobowale

“When I have to make tough decisions in my life, I listen to the little boy inside of me…”

Robin Van Persie, the former Arsenal and Manchester United player, made the above statement during his transfer saga to Manchester United from Arsenal. He justified his decision by saying he listened to the little boy in him.

One time or another, every known politician now generally regarded as corrupt, has thought of a way to make a change. In fact, this ideology enkindled their first interest in politics.

Few years is all they need for rapaciousness (greed) and power to inundate them. Most of the times, they never planned it as such.

The core reason for contesting an office is the little boy in anybody. You can call it manifesto; take it as fake promises – it is their humane side – their empathic button.

Yes! Their manifesto is always different from what they actually do when they get to the office. The reason is that the big man in them (corruption) has silenced the little boy.

The dominance of the big man over the boy could be accrued to many factors such has godfatherism influence and demands but the fact still remains that there is no sane reason for doing what is wrong. If it is right, it will not be tagged wrong.

The administration of ‘the boy without shoes’ from Bayelsa was tagged as a corruptible reign with a lot of culprits arraigned by the present administration. Tell me, does he has no good intention for this country?

Everybody wants to make a change no matter how insignificant.

Most of the time, people vie for a position judging the incumbent from the view of an outsider, neglecting the contributing factors warranting the displayed results. It is only when they are lucky to assume the office that they come to realise there is more to what they had anticipated.

A perfect example is the present administration which promised if elected… The herculean task of achieving their promises dawned on them only after they got into office.

We can insult them for deceiving us as much as we can, but wait, sit back and see yourself in their shoes, not as a common citizen would, but as someone in the same predicament the administration swore to be in; what will you have done differently? It takes an uncommon man which you should think as, to discern the news from the truth.

I am not in support of most things about this present administration, especially the part of shifting blames. No true leader does that. Only an incapable one does. In fact, the ability to take responsibility for failures, even those committed by your followers is a paramount quality requested of a leader.

However, if there is anything I am in support of with this present administration, it is the fact that the overseeing of a nation as Nigeria is not a ‘biscuit’ job – not even that of a small group. If you have been in a leadership role before, you should be able to relate.

I am mad at all politicians not because they failed me, rather because they disgraced themselves. They showed the magnitude of their nincompoop by their sub-par deliveries.

Mr Politician sir, you can do better.

Youths, it is good we are advocating to take over from the corruptible old-hands, but the country will be worse off except we change our mindsets and train the little boy within to always have the confidence to stand up to the bully of the big man in us.

The little boy (good intentions) and the big man (greed) lives in us all.

Anybody who is thinking of occupying a position today or days to come should always make the little boy rule, enslaving the big man. Leave a legacy for others to follow – please don’t include corruption legacy.

Change starts with you!