Philip Shaibu and Babagana Zulum: Two of a kind in political selflessness
THE next president will outperform the Buhari administration even if the person is imbecilely
The theory of psychological egoism states that all our actions are motivated by self-interest. Nothing can be more truthful than the Nigerian political landscape and our politicians. Our politicians, though divided on religion and ethnicity, are united as long as selfinterests are concerned. That is evident in the way Atiku Abubakar had changed political parties in pursuit of his self-interest. It is the same case of the notable members of the People Deceiving Party porting to the All Promises Cancelled team and vice versa.
Self-interest is not a crime and is everywhere worldwide, in business, family and politics. Crime is the stealing and trafficking of the majority of people’s benefits for the wealth of a few. Crime is dominating the helpless instead of leading them to a better life for all.
Self-interest dominates all we think and do. Everyone wants to be part of the affluent. We want to be in power on the flagship of helping the poor, but the intention is to be rich and commanding. I have also commented on the negative vices of our leaders, including the socalled founding fathers, whose work is nothing but a mirage in our current circumstances.
However, it cannot be all bad, though the majority is deficient where there is no security of lives, equity and justice. The good should overshadow the bad, not vice versa. Though the current administration failed colossally in security and economic management and divided Nigerians more, it has one effort that cannot be ignored.
The next president will outperform the Buhari administration even if the person is imbecilely. For one reason, it cannot be worse than it is. No one will create a worse situation for Nigerians, even if they desire it. The second is that the current administration has taught us not to take political promises seriously, so we won’t be disappointed.
Be that as it may, the current administration scored a point in the road and rail infrastructural development. The construction of the third Niger Bridge, Lagos-ibadan Expressway, and the various railway networks are bedrocks for future development if security is guaranteed. Let’s be fair to Buhari. His Amaechi and Fashola did an excellent job.
Still, in self-interest, Philip Shaibu should either be a governor on the platform of the APC by now or, in a worst-case scenario, be an ex-gubernatorial aspirant of the party. He was lured into the race by the Adams Oshiomhole-led APC to spite Godwin Obaseki. Unlike our regular folks, Shaibu, a man I described as the Obesere of Edo politics, proved to be different by reneging in his self-interest for Obaseki.
He took a rare position of supporting the troubled governor despite the carrot of opportunity thrown at him. His decision to be selfless and be contented with his deputy governor’s title was a game changer that nailed the dead coffin of the APC in the last Edo State election. Without Shuaib, the chances of Obaseki being a two-term governor would have been slim. Philip demonstrated the hope of having a leader who could take a reasonable position, even if it is against self-interest.
The professor and the governor of the most troubled state in Nigeria, Babagana Zulum, is a Siamese twin of Philip Shuaib. Undoubtedly, he is performing credibly well as a governor and has risked his life for his people. However, he took a different route when the opportunity came and subjugated his self-interest for another person. When Zulum’s name came forward as one of the possibilities for the vice-president, he did the unlikely of the Nigerian politicians. A typical Nigerian politician would have rolled out his credentials and records of achievement in aspiration to be the vice presidential candidate of the APC. He would have put the
Though the current administration failed colossally in security and economic management and divided Nigerians more, it has one effort that cannot be ignored.
human rights argument forward and claimed to be the best person for the job.
What did Zulum do? He declined and started making requests publicly for his principal, Kashim Shettima, to be given the slot. I do not know the relationship between Kashim and Zulum on the one hand and Philip and Obaseki on the other hand. The choices made by Philip and Zulum are a case for an exception, and you need not think far if you remember the choice of the man who came third or fourth in the APC presidential race.
Babagana and Philip have the right to aspire to their next levels. What made them consider Shettima and Obaseki more qualified than them is a pointer to their selfless characters. No doubt, they will, one way or the other, be rewarded for their selfless positions but having the audacity to relegate oneself for another is a rare trait that needs to be noted.
Nigeria and the world are searching for selfless leaders to improve our societies for the poor and the needy. We cannot progress and make a better life for others unless we can be selfless. As we go into the next election and in every of our leadership selection processes, we should be on the lookout for exceptional traits that could make a difference rather than recycling people of deceit and integrity.
My question to Philip and Babagana is simple. What is the influence of Obaseki and Shettima on your decision to be selfless?
Whatever your answers were, the one truth I know about your decisions is that you allowed your depth and strength of character to be above the desire for promotions.