My political ambition

Many years ago and probably till a few months ago, I’d wished never to have anything to do with Nigerian national politics except if it had to do with international politics. I guess striving to change some things from outside begins to make obvious the futility of efforts except we can change from within. If I have to make a change, I must go back to undo that wish of mine and begin to nurse a desire to affect the Nation from within.

Often times, we need blessings and assurance, so I asked my father over the phone barely a month ago, “what would you say if I was getting involved in National Politics?”

After a brief silence, he confirmed what I already knew to me in less than 10minutes:

“I would not say no because I remember 20 years ago when we were trying for you to get admitted into OAU for International Relations, it was by Divine Intervention that we got someone who advised ‘please, let her study Political Science, it’s a lot broader than Inter-rel’ and there the journey started. Now you have knowledge in both national and international politics…I’d naturally give my blessings if it is your desire. One thing though, think deeply about it and pray because Nigerian politics is not easy, if it’s God’s will, then He will order your path”

We had a dialogue which lasted for longer and I held some points:

We need a lot of financial support – I’m retired now, I don’t suppose I could manage the financial struggle what with the kind of money needed for politics
We need a lot of connecting and networking, you have to be known at the grassroots and work your way up – I’m much older, I don’t suppose I’d be able to move out fast as before
Then we need to think deep, “are you able to conform to what obtains in the main political party-PDP?”
I asked “why PDP?” Answer “Ibi aye ba k’oju si…….. (wherever the world faces…….)

Since I didn’t give much very keen answers after the last bit…he concluded
“Go and sleep over it again, and pray…then let me know what your decision is afterwards. Goodnight my dear”
It’s always been a pleasure listening to my wise father…he is not a Politician but he is quite so versatile on any issue and full of wisdom.


Will this be the end of my political ambition? The things that I feared are now starring me in the face.

However, I seem to have a conviction that this is not the end, rather it is just the beginning!
To say I’d like to contest at any level in the 2011 elections will be tantamount to deception to the people I go to represent as I am yet to make them feel the impact of what I can offer them…not with so much vocabulary but practical actions geared towards change.


So I am hoping, God willing, to support local governments I am interested in and run with development projects until 2012 when I will conduct a re-appraisal to see if there is still a need and a willingness to engage in politics and if so, declare my full political ambition. If then the decision is in favour of a political career, I must remember to conduct myself in a way that shows responsibility to those who I represent.



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