By Dr. Sam Amadi

Nigeria has a problem of value. This is more so with its youth. We venerate power and even impunity. We are so excited and enthused by the guys who do the atrocious act; we love the guys who do it bigger- whether it’s stealing money or ballot box.

IMO APC youth canonized a man called Gulak. He achieved the feat of conducting an election that denied Rochas Okorocha a third term through his son-in-law. That’s actually a good thing that happened to our people. “Iberiberism” needed to end and Gulak helped to end it. But Gulak conducted a gestapo primary. In saner climes his atrocity in the name of primary would have been strongly deplored. But here in Nigeria we are often too carried away by stunts. So Gulak makes it to our hall of fame. After all it is all about capacity. This man showed capacity to break the rules and declare a winner without due process.

Now think about Kano Governor, Ganduje, alias ‘Gandollar’. He was appointed the chairman of the APC campaign council for the Edo election, perhaps in recognition of his notoriety and uncommon strength to win even with or without public support. This man was caught on tape stuffing his pocket with bribe in dollars. No qualms. Some young folks have been hailing this man as the person who will deliver electoral mandate in Edo for them. When he boasted that Governor Wike of PDP would be quarantined in Edo during the election, APC youths sang his praises to high heavens. On the eve of the election when it was reported that Governor Wike has been “quarantined” in his hotel by a contingent of police and security operatives, these youths took over social media to remind everyone that Ganduje was a political maestro. What really surprises me is the canonization of the man. Once a man can pull through a heinous crime he become a legend; those who are worsted by his crime and ignominy become his greatest cheer-leaders. Little wonder criminals are our chieftains and leaders; we bestow them with the best awards.

We are a trapped people. We have been brutalized and demeaned so much that we adore audacious immorality. Otherwise why would anyone so hail Ganduje on a matter of elections?

And this brings me to the matter of Governor Wike. He has been praised to high heavens for courage and manliness. Ok I like him a lot. But he is a Governor and not a thug or a street fighter. We should assess him on governance and leadership. This cult of power should stop. I believe he is doing good in Rivers State. That should be our admiration and not this obsession with “Ben Johnson” or “Gandollar” models. Brigandage that defines Nigerian electoral process should not be the criteria to access and acclaim our leaders.

Let’s try and dig out of this hole of morality morass.