Business of governance, especially in a democratic set-up such as ours, requires a firm leader who is always ready to take decisions and also ready to accept such decisions no matter whether the decisions taken were right or wrong. Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida immediately after he seized power in 1985 made a famous statement for which many people still respect him to-date. He said: ‘Posterity will forgive us for taking wrong decisions but it will not forgive us for not taking any decisions”

A political leader who is truly worth his salt should not be seen as having a problem in taking decisions, in our type of democracy, it has become evident that decisions are more often taken to satisfy certain political interests. A political leader more often than not, does things to advance the cause of his political career. Whether we accept it or not, in this our clime, all government decisions are taken to boost the political fortunes of the actors in power, regardless of outcome of such decisions; so long as such decisions serve the political interest, then, ‘everybody can go to hell’. These are sad facts about the type of western democracy we are practicing today and there is nothing we can do about it.

‘Political interest’ is what politicians term as ‘political exigencies’ and this ‘political exigencies’ is what politicians all over the world often employ to support an action or inaction of governance in their various spheres of influence. Most often politicians are fond of doing things which ordinarily could be viewed or considered as inappropriate or against laid down rules but ‘political exigencies’ has always been their defensive mechanism.

‘Political interest’ is what politicians term as ‘political exigencies’ and this ‘political exigencies’ is what politicians all over the world often employ to support an action or inaction of governance in their various spheres of influence. Most often politicians are fond of doing things which ordinarily could be viewed or considered as inappropriate or against laid down rules but ‘political exigencies’ has always been their defensive mechanism.

To be honest, any politician worth his salt must employ these political exigencies if he really wants to survive politically. In fact political exigencies or to put it more bluntly, “exigent circumstances” are often considered to be more emergent and critical enough to override one’s normal free will and moral decision-making. Indeed, “exigent circumstances” are by far the most commonly used excuse for deviating from what would normally be considered acceptable or ethical behavior.

It was under the cover of this exigent circumstance that former chief servant of Niger state, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu at the height of the 2015 electioneering campaign, precisely during inauguration of PDP gubernatorial campaign committee in Minna on January 5, 2015 was quoted as saying: “Only liars can survive in the game of politics, there is no morality in politics, if you cannot lie, get out of politics, if you are talking of honesty or morals, go and become an Imam or pastor”

Yes, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu by the above statement has really captured the kernel of the western pattern of democracy we are into and whether or not what he said is true remains a subject of conjecture. But the way and manner we adjudge politics cannot be far away from what he postulated.

Since Engr Abdullahi Sule assumed office in May 2019, business of governance is being conducted in total contravention of the kernel of western democracy as political interests and political exigencies have been pushed to the back burner. And this is not only dangerous but disastrous to the well being and progress of his administration.

Taking a thorough look at the administration of Engr. Sule, one will notice that his government is always having difficulty in taking decisions and finally when such decisions are taken, you will discover that the decisions are devoid of political interest/exigencies; that perhaps are the more reasons why the government of Engr Sule is always opting for setting up of committees. And all these are clear signs of not only losing focus and direction but resounding manifestation of abdication of responsibilities.

Since we are in a political environment, government should always be seen as taking decisions in absolute consideration of political exigencies of the time. Political consideration must not be downplayed in the business of governance if really and truly we care about the continued existence of not only the political party in power in the state but our survival as actors in this enterprise.

We are not in effect saying merit and due process should not be followed in business of governance in the state but we should always have it at the back of our minds that the ruling government’s survival depends largely on how we play our cards in the political amphitheater of Nasarawa state. And unless and until we cultivate the habit of bowing to political exigencies, we are likely going to meet unpleasant scenarios possibly at the end of the tunnel.

There are so many decisions that have been taken under the present Engr Sule administration which ordinarily are supposed to be guided by political thought but certain interests overshadow the political considerations imbued in such decisions. Some political appointments made by Engr Sule are not guided by political considerations. This is beside the fact that a large percentage of those occupying political positions now under him are people that have contributed little or nothing to his movement to Shendam Road Government House. And most of them are not only light-weight but political liabilities in their respective localities.

Apart from political appointments, there are other issues also where Engr Sule either deliberately closed his eyes or inadvertently advised to ignore political considerations in taking decisions on those issues and these portend serious dangers to the well being of his government. For example, there are grumblings all over the place regarding the way and manner the government is handling its affairs. Some analysts opine that all what Gov Sule’s administration is doing is not only full of sounds and fury but it is also devoid of substance.

There is also the issue of government’s deportment which many believe are not in total conformity with democratic norms. The Government of Engr Sule some analysts say is lacking in public relations. The complaint all over is that the government is daily distancing itself from the people. Instead of being people- oriented, the government is increasingly becoming elitist.

When Senator Abdullahi Adamu during a reception organized to honour the present SSG, Barr Aliyu Muhammad Ubandoma at banquet hall of Government House some weeks ago, urged Gov. Sule to ‘shine his eyes’ many people were oblivious of the central message passed by Senator Adamu but to discerning mind the message is clear and sparkling.

There are indeed, many things that are going on under Gov Sule’s administration for which he needs to shine his eyes. It is not indeed late for Gov Sule to sit down and reassess his trajectory with a view to become truly a politician who masters all the ‘ABC’ of politics. And he can truly become one when he jettisons all, in favour of political exigencies and adopts singlehandedly the heart of taking quick decisions without recourse to anybody, in so far as it satisfies his political interest. Certainly at the end, history will forgive you for making wrong decisions but it will surely not forgive you for not taking any decision.