CORRUPTION BEGINS AT CAMPAIGN RALLIES

Corruption begins at campaign rallies:

 _A governor's assistant participating in rallies worries that it's at campaign rallies that political corruption begins._ 

By Hon. Madus Mathias

I am writing this based on real life experience, not with any sentiment. I therefore call on all leaders to treat this issue with every sense of seriousness.

I make the following observations on things that happen at political rallies.

1. Eye Service: 

At political campaigns and rallies, we see eye service at its worst. What I describe as the highest level of sycophancy will be on display to catch the fancy of prospective incoming candidates.

2. United we divide:

We find people looking united when we know they are so divided among themselves. Groups against groups. Friends against friends. The result is unbelievable favouritism, clannishness, nepotism and discrimination against fellow party members.

3. Self-centredness:

High level of self-centredness is in full display. This is where the practice of embezzlement starts. One person is struggling to get all alone. 

4. Gluttony and favouritism:

One person is eating three plates of food whereas the people sitting close by have neither eaten nor taken water. And who cares. I feel ashamed seeing people who are expected to speak against such behaviour leading in the act. The ushers walk pass some to give more food and drinks to their friends who have had enough. One gets only as much as one is able to fight for. One time that I rose to challenge this, I stood awkward among others. 

5. Disorderliness: 

There is no orderliness at rallies resulting in very poor protocol arrangements. Everyone wants to be seen. People sit where they are not supposed to seat. Support groups sit on spaces reserved for stakeholders leaving some stakeholders standing and nobody cares. 

These are the five evil pillars that will never give way for a true and healthy democracy in Nigeria.

Impact of corrupt rally practices.

1. Voter apathy:

This is how voter apathy takes root. The voter who is maltreated at rallies goes home swearing not to have anything to do with politics again.

2. Serious people move away:

Any serious person who attends a rally and sees all of this will walk away. They will not take politics seriously after that.

3. Circle of corruption:

Sincere and truly committed followers and party members drop their efforts to do the wrong thing. Some decide to join and become corrupted as nobody cares.

4. Endless enmity and struggles:

The outcome of poorly organised rallies is never good. They encourage untold division, hatred and silent enemity and war amongst party members.

My suggested solutions

1. More love:

Those given responsibility for organizing the rallies should show more love during political campaigns and rallies and stop the discrimination.

2. Monitoring:

Set up a monitoring team to ensure drastic control of corrupt practices during political campaigns and rallies.

3. Leadership:

Leaders should learn to stop overlooking little wrongs during political campaigns and rallies. The wrongs have the capacity of rubbing and destroying the entire efforts and reputations of the leaders and the campaign.

4. Training of party workers:

Give strong orientation to members before embarking on political campaigns and rallies.

 _Hon Madus Mathias is

Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State and a Presidential Aspirant._

Tel: 08117155296, 07045856139

Email 📨: madusmathias@gmail.com

www.madusmathias.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/madus4president2023