Fr. Richard OMOLADE

Once born a name is usually assigned to everyone. If you are a Yoruba person, the name is usually carefully selected if the course of your birth has not suggested a name. The given name is symbolic as well as prophetic. It shapes one’s life and confer an identity that makes one unique. Oluwafunmilayo is not expected to live immersed in doubt and self-pity because he or she is connected to the source of joy. The person named Ajanaku, cannot be a coward, it will be a gross misnomer.

Today we have many political parties in Nigeria. They are parties only in name since they essentially lack an integral values that confer on them their identity. It is on record that some politicians have crossed from one party to another on numerous occasion that they are unable to truly claim the value of any party. What they long for is not lasting value or untainted identity but closeness to power or source of influence. Whether that influence is used for good does not matter to them.

Some parties in Nigeria are better known by their symbol more than their professed ideals and principles. We know the Umbrella covers all and protects from inclement weather. But the party itself has become the cause of the harsh weather suffocating the life out of the masses. While the masses expect the Party symbolized by the broom to be a party of reform, sweeping out of the land all manner of corruption and injustice, yet, that same party seems to be the incubator of all that depresses the soul of the masses. While we expect the party to initiate people-oriented reforms, the party seems to have unleashed the fury of hell on the masses. This is not the values they process but are better known by it. The party that proclaims power to the people is lacking in power and is often ruled by tyrants who listen to no one except themselves. Whether they are vocal like my gap-toothed friend or cool and collected like my American friend, the end result is the same – there can be no power for the people. Within this party, the masses continue to look for justice, and in the absence of justice, unity has taken flight and progress is an ever-present mirage.

Similarly, the party of change is still stuck in the mud of inflation, over-taxation and under development.  Like their counterpart, while they also profess justice, peace and unity, there is nothing to show for it, because when there is no peace, there can be no progress. One is Justice, Unity and Progress, the other is Justice, Peace and Unity, they are dissimilar but ultimately the same and confusing to the masses. Their renewed hope agenda has metamorphosed into unlimited suffering for the masses. So why are all these politicians crossing from one party to another? Essentially, these parties are two fingers of the same leprous hand. It would thus seem that these politicians do not have their own identity. They do not know who they are or what they stand for and are therefore free to be dragged around by the piper.

The Indian Jesuit, Anthony DeMello puts it well when he said that “if your identity is anything you can lose, then you are in danger of having an identity crisis.” It is thus fair to say that our politicians are having identity crisis. They do not know who they are and so are unable to stand for something of value. Since they cannot stand for something of value, they are now falling for anything. No wonder we still have NDC, LP, ADC and the like, a conglomeration of people with no structure and identity, therefore with uncertain future.

Why would anyone follow a blind man? No wonder the parties have not been able to come up with any meaningful manifesto that will attract people to their party. When are we going to get politicians of repute with solid base and clear thinking in their understanding of the nation and her needs?

Christians must therefore be careful of wolves in sheep clothing. Christians cannot throw away their values. The early disciples were called Christians because they followed the example of Christ, living just like Christ lived and following in His footsteps. Christians entering into politics must play by a higher rule. It should not just be any how politics or politics of stomach infrastructure - that is, the politics of “come and chop.” Christians have an identity, and identity rooted in their incorporation into Christ Jesus. Therefore, they belong to Jesus and cannot do as they please. They must always act in conformity to Christ. They can belong to no other party other than the party of Christ, a party of peace and love, integrity and justice.  This party is open to all, but all must be subject to accountability and transparency. If you are afraid of being judged and evaluated, maybe it is because you have not identity and the one you currently parade is false.

So, wherever you are now, can you at least stand up for something? For a good name, for justice, for peace and progress, this will be a true change, this will be a welcome development.