By: AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo
Politics,they say,is a dirty game.Yes to some extent it is.But to those who know the nitty gritty they may slightly disagree.Many politicians have sealed their minds that it is outrightly the most dangerous game.Yes the danger in politics can be averted provided we uphold strongly the family tie against the backdrop of no mercy politics, which makes it dirty.
The first category of politicians are those who believe in the dirtiness of the game, while second group believe that it is not a do- or -die affair.
My sojourn into politics in recent years had exposed me to the prolific characteristics of how politics can be fully described as a game of interest .Though I have been a strong supporter of president Muhammadu Buhari since 2003, going into grassroots politics started in 2014.My politics takes a new dimension during Otoge struggle,where I served as a member of APC Media team in Ilorin South LG.In 2023 I equally served as a member of Media Advisory Committee, Saliu Mustapha campaign organization.It was a huge success, because APC triumphed at the Federal and state elections.
As a young boy growing up,even though I spent larger parts of my life in Kano both in secondary and tertiary education.But one significant thing is that at every holiday in Bayero University Kano,I would be in Ilorin.So I was not far away from home.
Since 1999 what I have witnessed in Ilorin was politics of acrimony, bitterness and so on.The peak of it was in 2003 when families were partitioned along political lines.It was a sad era honestly.
To me those who cannot differentiate between family and politics are majorly responsible for the unnecessary enemies,Which may precipitate the dirtiness.To those who can boldly differentiate between family and politics may not really witness the dirty things.They will always go all out to ensure that we remain friends and families before and after the election.
The second category of politicians are where Saliu Mustapha belongs.He does not believe in politics of acrimony, because to him family comes first before politics.Turaki of Ilorin believes that even after politicking family should remain intact.
In the short broadcast, where he thanked the good people of kwara Central for voting him,he equally emphasised that we were family before politics and we would remain after the election.
That was the best statement I have ever heard from any politician since I was born.If you don’t know why many love Saliu Mustapha, this is one of the reasons.No doubt his politics of generosity is the hallmark of how simply you can further decipher his style of politics.
In the same vein, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in his efforts to prevent politics of bitterness has ensured that there was no room for violent groups in the last four years.The era of “good boys” has gone for good in Kwara.
Politics of destruction and violence must be discouraged in all ramifications,if you ask me,I will tell you life’s good in kwara as politics of bitterness is fastly fading out.
We must allow humanity to flourish, because without it families would scatter.Every religion lays emphasis on keeping the family intact.In fact, a tradition/hadith of the prophet Muhammad mentioned that whoever that is involved in disuniting the family , won’t be interceded for on the day of resurrection.
So politics is a game of interest not a war and must never be an instrument for scattering our families.We must separate politics from family matters.
