The Home Boys Are Fully At Work, Just Hours Before Christmas

By Bernadette Idalu

Many people will be home for Christmas, in Edo State, thanks to the magnanimity of "home boy" politicians spreading the Christmas cheer as they aim for relevance and legitimacy to Osadebey Avenue, the seat of governance, come September 21, 2024.

The customer price index might not be favourable with statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for October 2023 standing at 27.33 per cent showing an increased rate from  the previous figure of 26.72 per cent for the month of September, yet, for the political inclined ones and power brokers, things are visibly looking up, no need to look up statistics, all thanks to the off cycle elections taking place next year. 

Though another NBS report puts  Nigeria’s unemployment rate at 4.1 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023 and 5.3 percent in the previous quarter, youths here in Edo State are of relevance. People of  like minds are already doing business with politicians as influencers, media aides or political appointees, bodyguards, political think tanks, praise singers, professional storytellers/ostrich, we have those playing the political seers even when it is crystal clear to sceptics that all they see is their stomach, just like the witty song goes, "anywhere belle face na front, baby na sizzlers...'

Political contenders at this point in time are easy to access and they have listening ears. They are all smiles, hobnobbing with the powers that be, from the political to the traditional rulers, to the political godfathers and image makers, to visits to members of the fourth estate of the realm, identifying with influencers, with youths,  religious leaders, to market women as well as identifying with leaders and people of diverse ethnic identities resident within the state. The story is all of love, of giving and sharing, of promises made and recounted antecedents.

In Edo North for instance, there was an online message sent out by the Etsako Central Chairman which encouraged retirees and pensioners to come collect chickens and other freebies after due verification to ensure they have a joyous celebration. Politicians are coming out to announce donations of foodstuffs and wrappers to households across the eighteen local government areas. The state government has even sent out a clarion call to pensioners to come register  into the Edo State health insurance scheme for free.

Politicians are coming out and making provisions for households. They now give themselves the symbolic tag, "husband of widows," as they become benefactors who make adequate provisions for the yuletide for these women to help wipe off the tears and suffering of these grief stricken women who are mostly ignored by acclaimed loved ones.

For those classed as "leaders," especially those in the state working committees of their various political parties, they are all smiles whenever an aspirant comes to declare their intent to govern the state. As they state in pidgin parlance, "leader na leader," this shows a leader is powerful. Aspirants detour and bow to their dictates for they recognise the strategic roles played by these group at determining who eventually scales through at party primaries to represent the party. 

The camaraderie and public show of affection and togetherness is legion. Same goes for the attribute and strong belief in God. Some claim to have already heard from God himself, telling them to lead the people to their desired Eldorado's. What an audacious faith.

But, the will of the people matters, it is a powerful force that must be obeyed to get close to the seat of governance. For now, let everyone dance. However, would these believers continue to dance with the people or simply become reclusive or "lonely at the top" like Asake mused in his song?

The other day an aspirant was being interviewed by a new generation television station outside Edo State. While trying to answer a question he delved into speaking the Edo language which confounded his hosts. He flashed them a charming smile while reassuring them that he was in control of himself and the situation, for, as a home boy, he had to speak to the heart of his people and even point with his right hand to his father's house. He does not need an intermediary or an interpreter to speak to his people. He affirmed, "this is how we roll, this is a singular feature of a home boy."

Say, what has speaking in the mother tongue got to do with leadership capacity and capabilities? Like secondary school debaters would say, 'I leave that question for my opponents to answer.'

This year unlike previous years, aside the lure for chieftaincy titles and honorary awards and recognition, political gladiators all want to be referred to as "foremost" contenders just as they use the "home boy," "our home boy," "the real home boy" and "our guy" self gratifying titles as  campaign strategy tools  before the official campaign season opens. The attempt to give life to these endearing sobriquets has led to the flow of resources this yuletide season at party secretariats,  campaign offices and home visitations.

When former Governor Ayo Fayose talked about a "stomach infrastructure," he was mocked by his political enemies but a look across political divides shows the rush by people to belong, somehow, even if it means crossing the divide in order to get ultimate recognition to gain better access to resources which liberates them from the pangs of present economic crunch. 

Even if some of such persons get labeled as "political prostitutes," it doesn't change anything as they boast of a line of friendship which cuts across political divides, moreover, such deference puts food on their table and caters for immediate needs. 

The Bible in John 10:14-18  states,

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary."

On an aside note, we must realize that, Yes, Christmas comes once a year. Though the rush to buy the Christmas trees and associated paraphernalia and gifts is on a crystal low this year, however, area fadas were sighted dovetailed by area daughters as they did the Christmas shopping at a popular shopping mall in Benin, along Sapele road. Shopping carts carried even packets of knorr cubes, yet, they say there is no money in circulation. What about the live cows tethered in some compounds? In my area fire crackers have been at work since November. Hmm.

Forget the gloom statistics and sob reports, those willing to work hard are already rising above murky waters. Even those selling sweets and chewing gum know to position themselves at political grounds to make brisk sales.

The other day, a foremost All Progressives Congress (APC) contender declared his intention. As ears listened to his manifesto, eyes followed the offloading process of packaged half bags of rice from three vehicles. A huge cow was also thrown in with a guy on standby stating, "na today dem go kill am for chairman hass. Abeg, make guys still happy for tins wey dey happen." These gifts were "wedged" according to the Urhobo tradition, with a huge purse, to help the party get a formidable and befitting party secretariat.

At the sidelines, leaders who came from Edo Central were busy sharing yards of wrappers to ward leaders. I mean this distribution was done by men oh, not women. Ha, they have overtaken the womenfolks in the act of wrapper and gele uniform sharing. Hmm. What a woman can do, a man can do better.

At another meet, with an aspirant of the Labour Party, grassroot leaders who hoped to become or nominate party agents sounded their demands. They gave a terse summary of their demands but unlike the Nigerian labour Congress negotiation with government, their demands were met at a go due to their stance. It was akin to a no pay no work scenario. 

Ward leaders could be heard talking among themselves, "If e nor ready pay, make we waka render service to who know our worth. No going back to the land of Egypt." They clarified that they were going back to brief their grassroots people on development since they were beneficiaries of the goodwill of the people. This assertion was baffling, very different from the Nigerian worker who mostly don't believe in union leadership anymore.

It was only when clarifications were made on catering to raised needs on mobility, appreciation of efforts put in and subsequent provision for miscellaneous expenditure used before, during and after campaigns that these youths, leaders at ward level burst out singing, "You are a leader...you are a leader."

Social media influencers attached to political parties are already counting their chickens, cows, yams and 5kg cans of red oil. If you think this is a lie, ask the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) influencers. They even threw jibes at benefactors to borrow a leaf from the provision of just one benefactor who met their needs as more people were down the line whose needs ought to be met as well.

By now benefactors know the all important role played by these sets of people who infiltrate social media platforms insulting, castigating, defending, informing, influencing, sometimes engaged in vicious propaganda that might have made the propagandist for the Nazi Party, and then Reich Minister of Propaganda Paul Joseph Goebbels proud.

Everyone is important, people all have roles to play at declaration of interest venues. The events are colourful and action packed. You see the party henchmen protecting the aspirants, the security details wielding their guns which give off the vibe and feeling of "already there" you encounter the minstrels, dancers, traditional music troupe and impromptu body guards who want a little something for their performances as well as food vendors and supporters who fight for visibility. Haven given a rousing welcome to the man of the moment they are rewarded with complete packs of boiled rice, water and drinks. Some get immediate transport fares back to base. 

You also find representatives of communities who adorn native attires and sing in their mother tongue for quick identification. kith and kin are on standby making some noise on the suitability of their brother. Not forgetting former political office holders who tag along wishing to use the victory of politician as a means to bounce back to relevance.

We also find the banner carrying youths sending out one message or another, trying to overshadow and garner attention away from the traditional troupe at hand. Interestingly, at these meets, are the matured grey haired youths, whose trademark is smiling and gesticulating to one and all. Looking for acquaintances to spread hands over their shoulders, they begin to mouth praises of the politician, "He is the foremost contender for the position, my brother...he is going straight to Osadebey avenue, no obstruction. He is the man to beat." They position themselves at vantage places where the said politician is within eye view or earshot.

Everyone is in good mood; scholarships are being awarded to the indigent of society, widows are being serenaded, a better functioning primary healthcare is mentioned with different promises  flying all over the air just to meet people at their points of need. 

Even the federal government is out with its acts of charity to cushion the petroleum subsidy removal. Mr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals declared a 50 percent slash in the cost of transport to enable Nigerians travel home for Christmas and new year festivities.

The slash in fares and associated free train services are expected to begin from Thursday, December 21, 2023 to Thursday, January 4, 2024.

This, however, has become a subject of controversy. Some travellers came online with images to buttress the fact that they paid p normal exorbitant fares while others also came forth with counter claims to show that prices were slashed. People affirmed that train rides were free. 

Be that as it may, transport fares within town are not cheap either. The latest NBS report on transport fares for November stated that the average cost of transportation within the city per drop stood at N1,047.63 in November 2023. This shows a 6.23% decline in transport costs compared to the average N1,117.30 recorded in October 2023.

Compared to the same month in 2022, the cost of transportation within a state rose by 64.44% from N637.10. It also put the the average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity per drop at N6,206.53 in November 2023, indicating a 5.45% increase on a month-on-month basis compared to N5,885.68 in October 2023. On a year- on- year basis, the fare rose by 61.27% from N3,848.48 in November 2022.

As people sing along Mariah Cary's "All I want for Christmas is you" or hum about "Santa Claus is coming to town," to reflect the mood of the season, reflective of the birth of Christ, however, like in the city of Bethlehem where Christmas has been officially cancelled this year as tourists failed to show up due to ongoing fire power exchanges between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, it must be noted here in Nigeria, that despite the general gloom picture and sob story of an existing bad economy, prompting the call to vote in good leaders with foresight into power, not everyone is politically inclined nor do they seek political goodwill either.

The naira redesign, removal of petroleum oil subsidy backed by the present lack of provision of adequate security are sore reference points and clear policy summersaults which entrenched poverty. Farmers have mostly deserted their farms due to banditry and terrorism. Societal despondency  has led to Brain drain (Jakpa).

A recent United Nations report said over 40 million households in the country were poor. Just like the sale of the biblical birthright by Esau to Jacob with its attendant consequence, Edo State people must watch out for leaders with the right qualities even if politics is a game of numbers. They must not bargain off their birthrights to the highest bidder just to be able to put food on their table.