It may be very difficult to believe the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi when he said that he has only one house in the whole world, only few pairs of black shoes and a wrist watch; and that he does not give “shishi” despite his wealth. Some people would believe it is a political gambit to draw the people’s sympathy towards the next election.
At some point, you may not blame those who toe this line of thought because a good percentage of Nigerians have never had the opportunity of experiencing a disciplined life in an organized society and environment.
Human beings are formed by the environment they find themselves, the knowledge they acquire in such environment and society; as well as through education and social integration. Anyone who is brought up in an environment where money is worshipped and used recklessly to oppress others would most likely adopt such attitude in life. This would be different from one who was brought up in an environment where the value of money and wealth come through hard work. Such person may likely not be reckless with his/her spending.
Any person who was brought up in an environment where morals are thrown to the wind; where sex and other forms of immorality are taken for granted would live a different life from one who is raised in a moral conscious environment.
Peter Obi was brought up in a strict disciplined family following the Catholic tradition and practices. He has two elder siblings as a priest and religious. This must have influenced his lifestyle and attitude to life. He is also a “trader” and as a business man, would be shrewd and frugal in his spending.
Catholic priests are trained to live disciplined lives. They are trained not to attach more importance to wealth and worldly things. While other students had the opportunity to live free lives, seminarians are restricted to a very organized lifestyle devoid of all manners of frivolities and immorality. They are trained on the value of time and its effective use, how to manage things around them efficiently, good approach to other people, ethical values and obedience to constituted authorities. They are also trained on how to dress moderately, table manners and courtesies, use of time and dignity of silence.
The religious, on the other hand are trained on how to live in a community and observe community lives, sharing of things in common and not to acquire property you do not need. The religious in the Catholic church are trained to accept poverty as a virtue and charity as a way of life. They are trained to be chaste in body and soul, to see all human beings as equal and to be treated equally. Most importantly, they are groomed to live after the lives of Jesus Christ and other saints.
These characters must have been exhibited in Obi’s family through the priest, the religious sister and the parents, and adopted by the siblings as they were growing up. It can be noted that Peter Obi also studied philosophy which may have guided the way of his reasoning. Those who passed through the liberal way of life where money is everything, immorality is unavoidable and every action filled with hypocrisy would not believe that Peter Obi is genuine in his practices and way of life and that such life is possible and practicable.
But some those who passed through such training and came from similar background know that it is possible and is actually a standard of living that brings the best out of humanity.
Many people saw such in the life of the late former president Mohammadu Buhari and loved him for such life and discipline. I’m sure he was overwhelmed by the dirty political environment he found himself when he became president. He failed because he did not have courage to carry out his convictions. The person who would bring Nigeria out of this political doldrum must be a disciplined, patriotic and humble person enriched in moral and ethical values and would have the ability to sustain such despite any negative influence and pressure.
Nigerian politics is filled with intrigues, dishonesty, hatred, deceit and greed. That is why it is referred to as dirty. To conquer this and clear the dirty waters, a leader must be seen to be above waters and its prevalent vices and be able to gather around him/her people of same nature and vision. Through this, they can relegate the vices to the background and transform the country, set a measurable standard with effective rule of law void of corrupt practices, immorality, greed and lawlessness. This desired change is Possible.
