I have been into analysing trending political discussions for ages now, here is an inspired article to guide all striving political aspirants in the coming 2023 general elections. This is a step-by-step booklet for you to get your game on track ahead of your political competitors.
This article was inspired by the song the 10 track commandments by the legendary Notorious BIG of blessed memory.
As the nation gradually marches towards the 2023 general elections one man that has constantly remained on the lips of every Nigerian is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the Jagaban of Borgu, his name is referenced on every discussion be it political or social, while many doff their hat for his political sagacity so also a few others are not impressed with his soaring leadership qualities.
The fact remains that Tinubu who left political office in 2007 is now the most talked-about Nigerian today, even a toddler would tell you stories about the Jagaban. Here is a ten-track commandment on what every aspiring politician should abide by that makes Tinubu the Numero Uno of Nigerian Politics it was complied by humble self, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah.
Rule Number one.
Never underestimate your competitor. Tinubu has always stood by the philosophy of never underrating his competitors. When Tinubu was to leave as Lagos State Governor in 2007 he made preparations to go to the Senate but made a U-Turn when it was clear the PDP Federal Administration of Obasanjo was hell-bent on winning over Lagos. With all his commanding influence Tinubu never underrated his arch-rival the PDP as led by Baba Iyabo.
“We must continue to be vigilant and keep watch over our democracy and ward off those who may want to draw us back toward a dimmer period.” Tinubu.
Rule Number Two.
Never let your competitor know your full worth. Just like rule number one, never underestimate your competitors likewise it’s better your competitors don’t know your next move. The less your competitors rate you the better for you. The grassroots politician moves with silence and focus. Let them say, silence is golden.
“Allow whoever feels he can run to overtake us to run? Let whoever feels he can fly to fly. Let whoever, or any conspiring group of weak electoral strength continue in their fast game.” – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Rule Number Three.
Always outshine your competitors with performance. In politics, you must have a trajectory from where you started. In every position, you find yourself always outshine your competitors as it would be a strong virtue for future contests. Tinubu was unarguably the best Governor of 1999 set despite being in the opposition. Work hard irrespective of what people say.
“Go and work till mentioning your name becomes a source of increased wealth for someone. Even my weakness creates wealth for vendors.”- Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Rule Number Four.
I know you heard this before, never get HIGH on your own success. You must continue to strive hard to remain charismatic and endearing to the populace. You must not be carried away by little fame.
“In politics, you can’t be a spectator and hope to succeed. It is like a football game. In the course of playing you sustain injuries and have bruises. You nurse your injuries and continue to play. That’s the only way you can win.” – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Rule Number Five.
Loyalty to the game. Consistency is key in life, you must remain consistent in your ideologies and affiliations like the Jagaban. He remains one of the few Nigerians that have not jumped from a party to another because of selfish ends, his consistency has earned him enormous respect across the country.
“My commitment to the fundamentals of a democratic system and federal principles has not changed.” – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Rule Number Six.
Keep your eyes on the goal, never lose focus. This is one of the unique attributes of Tinubu that has kept him ahead of his competitors, He remains focused on the goal. You cant get the Jagaban distracted or hardly you see him in ranting battles with competitors. My people say person wey dey pursue ELEPHANT NO DEY STOP FOR ROAD STONE BIRD. Keep working on your dreams non stop.
“I am in the news more because I’m working, Nigerians discuss active men in the field.” – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Rule Number Seven.
This should have been the rule number one to me, always plan for betrayals. Politics is a game filled with wild intrigues and backstabbing, your campaign manager today may be your major enemy tomorrow. You must make provisions for betrayals.
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“Even if it is an obstacle on my way, I predicted it before the people who brought them started thinking about it. I planned a betrayal, I planned a knife in the back, and I also planned a reunion and reunion. Forgiveness was much earlier. They passed.”- Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Rule Number Eight.
Always show respect to your followers/ masses. You must have a constituent and the true politician has the masses as the first followers. You must strive hard to meet their expectations and respect their feelings.
“If we neglect the society and allow it to slip into chaos, many of us who invest in our children and their education and development at the expense of the poor people are putting that investment at risk.”
“Because the children of the poor will revolt one day. When they start, we can’t predict the outcome. We should do it right or else we will have ourselves to blame.”
-Bola Tinubu
Rule Number Nine.
Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. This is one thing every politician needs to learn from the Jagaban, not every friend is a friend or every enemy should be worth keeping a distance from. Have you ever seen Tinubu exchanging words with any politician?
No way the Jagaban appears to have no enemies because hardly would you see any politician including his rivals dragging his name in the mud publicly.
Rule Number Ten.
POWER MUST BE FOUGHT FOR. Ogbeni that is just the simple truth. You must make yourself available to be shortlisted. Come out of that shell and fight for what you believe in. The sky is your limit.
“POWER is not given on a platter of gold, it is not served a la carte (without struggle), it requires serious hard work to come by.”
-BOLA AHMED TINUBU
Follow these rules and you would make a great impact in your political career.
My name na Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah and I am the principal of Bush Radio Academy.
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Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
