THE 4TH SCHOOL OF THOUGHT IN KWARA

THE 4TH SCHOOL OF THOUGHT Abdulrazaq O Hamzat. It’s my pleasure to be here with you all. I have read many comments; observations and propositions on what should be the focus of discussion in moving Kwara forward. Everyone who shared their view on the subject matter has some valid points and we must not discard any point of view. May I seek, most respectfully, your kind indulgence to address one key issue, which seems to be consuming our time in charting a way forward. Unseating the dynasty ruler-ship or enshrining good governance. In my view, Kwara can’t have good governance, unless we unseat the dynasty. This is why all efforts, energy and resources must be channeled into achieving the sole purpose of unseating the dynasty before any other discuss. Democracy works for all, when different people have the opportunity to bring in their different ideas for the sole purpose of making life better for all. This is why they say that the worse democracy is still better than the best military regime. No individual, no matter how intelligent can be as intelligent as two or more people. A group or amalgamation of fools, are still far more productive than an individual intellectual. This is so because, no matter how foolish individuals are, they are still wise in some areas and bringing their wiseness together makes them more useful than an individual intellectual, as no matter how intelligent an individual is in an area, he is very foolish in many others. So, what we have in Kwara is the leadership of an individual, which is generally agreed that is less productive, even to the collection of fools. Yet, those of us who have resolved to unseat the dynasty are not fools, many are intellectuals of the highest standard, hence the nobility of the course. THE DEBATE While it is not in doubt that every sane Kwaran understand the need for a change in the status quo, what often divide opinion are the methods being proposed or followed to achieve this change. In this debate, there 4 school of thoughts. The 1st school of thought holds the view that, Kwarans themselves are the problem not the leadership. Those in this school of thought argued that, the people themselves allowed the leadership to hold unto power to their detriment, and if change is to be achieved, the people must first of all take responsibility and resolve to act differently. The 2nd school of thought maintained that, focusing on the existing dynasty is not the way forward, because immediately the dynasty is defeated, there is possibility that those that will come on board may not be any better. They cited examples of many bad eggs in the opposition and used them as their justification. To avoid giving those they regarded as likely to be worse the opportunity, those in this school of thought find it hard to commit themselves to genuine struggle for the liberation. While they claimed to be progressive, they instead, remained sympathetic to the dynasty. The 3rd school of thought agreed to the above two school of thought, but went a step forward. Rather than just identify the problem and complain about it like the first two without any plan to change the situation, they are committed to finding a way forward. Those in this school of thought are working to design a post dynasty agenda and mass orientation of the populace. With this method, they are ensuring that while unseating the dynasty is a major task, a road map to good governance after the dynasty is put in place. The 4th school of thought is where this writer belongs. This school of thought agrees with all the previous 3, but focuses on the most important practical task, rather than the theory like the third school of thought is doing. While the 1st school of thought believes that the people are the problem and until they realize this and are ready to act otherwise, nothing could change. The 4th school of thought believes that, people don’t just act differently, unless they are given a platform and task to do so. The 4th school of thought is focused on giving the people that organized platform and regular task, no matter how little. And as evidences have shown, the small platform of yesterday will grow bigger with every little task, whether successfully done or not. What is important is the task, not its outcome, because with each task undertaken, the people would not only realize their role, they will appreciate their power. The 4th school of thought also believes that, while the second school of thought have a valid point in saying the opposition is not much different from the status quo, this is not enough to stick to the bad dynasty. The 4th school of thought believes that, if the opposition is not any better in your estimation, you take their place and become a better opposition. It is not enough to abandon a genuine struggle because some bad elements are leading it, all you have to do is take the lead and chart a new direction. And again, if you can tolerate a destructive dynasty that is looking like a permanent feature of our dear state, tolerating a bad opposition that is destined to be short lived wouldn’t be a bad idea. So, in the view of the 4th school of thought, staying with the bad system, sympathizing with it or aiding it in anyway to retain its grip on the state is worse than anything else. Additionally and as clearly stated earlier, the 3rd school of thought are closely on the right path, since they have properly identified the way forward and working towards it. However, the problem with this school of thought is that, it lacks the capacity, both human and capital resources to achieve all it is doing simultaneously. In other word, it is chewing more than it can swallow, as well as spending scarce and unavailable energy and resources on what doesn’t have direct bearing on the present. This school of thought are theoretical and idealistic. Many of you will agree with me that Idealism and theoretical knowledge can hardly work in the realm of practical politics, especially without adequate resources, both human and capital. This 3rd school of thought may end up frustrated and their energy drained. For us in the 4th school of thought, we have decided to adopt the principle of scale of preference. In our scale, we agreed, to a great extent with all the school of thought, but we decided to grade them and act strictly on the most pressing and important, which is ensuring the political defeat of the dynasty through practical means. This helps us to focus all our energy, scarce resources, intellect and activities on the most pressing issue that have direct bearing on the subject matter. Until the dynasty is defeated, any idea of good governance being nursed remains fictional. Rather than waste time and energy on fictional idea of good governance at this moment, let all energy be directed to achieve mass engagement through practical action. The 4th school of thought agreed that, it is possible that the bad eggs in opposition may not be better, but we equally realized that, if any opposition emerged and fail to deliver good governance as expected, it could be easily removed and replaced by the people, unlike the dynasty, which is somehow tied to the traditional and religious institution. It is very easy to remove a failed government that is not enshrined, 2015 election taught us a very good lesson. A sitting president was unseated. A dynasty cannot be easily unseated because of its longevity and structural tie with both traditional and religious institutions. But it can be defeated. Even the Great Wall of China was brought down. All lovers of good governance in Kwara state must resolve to join the struggle to champion the defeat of the deceitful and directionless dynasty. It doesn’t matter what fear you nurse at the moment, just set it aside and let’s get the task done. Throw in your body and might. Give it your best, both human and capital. To ba to asiko atisu, iwo idi a lanu. Every other concern will be gradually addressed as soon as the dynasty is defeated. Abdulrazaq O Hamzat Kwara Must Change