Experience has shown us that at the
climax of every election, the behaviour of politicians towards the people
changes dramatically, while campaigning, politicians demonstrate courtesy and
goodwill towards the people, they make themselves available at social events
invited or otherwise just to win over the people. Some go to the extent of
crying on television just to prove their so called love for the masses. The
true character of a politician can only be assessed when he wins or losses an
election. For the winners they immediately after their inauguration change
their phone numbers, surround themselves with tough looking body guards and
practically employ all measures to distance themselves from their people whom
they now regard as a nuisance.
Same
also applies to those who loose the elections, they abscond from their
supporters in some cases they shamelessly blame their followers for their
failure and cut all relationships with them till some months to another
elections when they resurface with another deceitful slogan such as “ga naku ya
dawo” which in Hausa means yours is back. It is only in Nigeria that a
politician behaves in such manner and has the audacity to return as a
contestant, though I don’t blame our people that much, for poverty is and will
continue to be a problem to our people if the present status quo is maintained.
However
despite the poor image of our politicians, there are still some of them who are
truly committed to the development and happiness of their people. One of such
politician is Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, the Chairman, Senate Committee on
Federal Character and Inter-governmental affairs
D.A.
Kuta’s open door policy is a pacesetter to all politicians who wish to stay
close to their people. He has always identified himself with humanitarian
causes, and he has maintained this noble commitment throughout his last six
years in office. He has left his marks in many aspects of human development and
philanthropy. His reputation as a listener is always demonstrated by the open
door policy carried out at his residence, where all visitors irrespective of
class are able to gain audience with him. This is in contrast with the
notorious Nigerian culture of guarding government centres, and deploying tough
looking, gun carrying security operatives to harass and scare away the masses.
In
fact what many people may not realise is that Kuta’s humanitarian sentiment is
largely the source of his political strength. It is only in scorpion house (the
name of the Senator’s house in Minna) in Niger state that the needy trooped to
a politician’s house to receive assistance directly from the Senator, not from
any Aide or Assistant.
This
open door policy and other humanitarian policies too numerous to mention has
accorded Dahiru Awaisu the goodwill he is presently enjoying in the Nigerian
political arena. To further justify my assertion of his open door policy, the
Senator in an interview described his policy thus: “as a matter of principle, I
believe and respect the dignity of mankind. As a leader, I believe one of the
best thing you can do is to listen – know peoples likes and dislikes; their
needs and aspirations and put together your programme as much as possible along
these lines. That is what I have been doing since I came into office. I have
been guided by that principle and thus, my tenure has a listening ear, one that
respects the feelings, yearnings and aspirations of the people”
The
senator has demonstrated that he is not a selfish and fair-weather politician
who only needs the people to advance his ambition but abandons then when he
gains his desired position. He remains a faithful friend of the masses and he
should be a source of inspiration to other politicians.
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