Born Joseph Aloisious Ratzinger,Pope Benedict XVI became the 265th pope on the 19th of April 2005,a position which he serves dual roles as sovereign of the vatican city state,a city entirely enclaved in the city of Rome.
The pope is the leader of the catholic church worldwide,which has over a billion two hundred members.He is also regarded as the successor of saint peter.
Recently Pope Benedict XVI ‘shocked’ the world by announcing he was resigning as pope.This is was unheard of,as this is the first time since 1415 it is heard that a pope resigned, when Pope Gregory XII resigned in order to end the western schism or papal schism-a split within the catholic church from 1378 to 1417 where two men simultaneously claimed to be the true pope.
Pope Benedict XVI in an announcement said he had made a decision of great importance for the life of the church.He cited his deteriorating strength due to old age and the physical and mental demands of the papacy.He declared however that he would continue to serve the church through a life dedicated to prayer.
I admire pope Benedict XVI,his courage,truthfulness and conscience.There was no need deceiving himself and over one billion people.He realized the task of leading the vatican and the catholic church was too much for him, as he is no longer physically capable to carry on.He realized it was time to let another person who is capable take over the leadership of the catholic church.This got me thinking,if the pope would have resigned if he was Nigerian.I doubt that big time.
Men like these are very rare to find,especially here in Nigeria.In this clime,resignation is a myth in any kind of leadership position.How I wish we men with conscience as leaders.
As at today we have men who are physically and mentally unfit to hold any kind of office at all, not to talk of governing a people,clinging on to power as if their lives depend on it.
Pray,what will it cost Governors Chime Sullivan.Liyel Imoke and Danbaba Suntai of Enugu,Crossriver and Taraba states respectively to resign from office?It’s not like they are ever going to be poor,as I am sure they have amassed enough wealth for their generations to come.These guys left their states to go seek medical attention in another man’s country(and state),as they are critically ill.These guys are in critical conditions and just refuse to give in.What kind of leaders do we have?Is resignation a taboo?In these cases is it not right to resign,enjoy the loots and take proper care of themselves?Nobody is even saying they should quit politics.Their experience is needed albeit by the side.
It really does not help their conditions when they are in the hospital and in the eyes of the public via the media.Speculations and counter speculations does not do them any good.Mentally it does not help to improve their sick state.It is time to take a bow.
Recently Dr Chime returned and declared himself cancer free.it is very plain to see that the man cannot continue to rule Enugu state.He will always need chemo!I am just wondering why he has not tendered his resignation.I honestly thought that was what he came back to do,so as to continue with his recovery.I wonder why those around him,who claim to love him have not persuaded him to resign.It is for his own good in the long run.Combining the task of governing a state and battling cancer will not do the governor and the people of Enugu any good.Just like the pope realized that he can no longer carry on because of his deteriorating strength,it will be sensible and right for Governor Chime to resign and go take proper care of himself.The pressure alone,of governing a people can be killing.The best thing to do is resign.There is absolutely no need spending public money funding trips up and down the globe in search of treatments.
Same goes for Governor Imoke who has been sick and has abandoned his state for months.Does this guy like the rumour and counter rumour of his death?He is reportedly on a dialysis for a kidney disease.We understand his kidneys are in bad condition.It is obvious that it will take a while for Governor Imoke to get physically fit to run his family not to talk of a whole state.I don’t think Crossriver state wants this.Governor Imoke knows what is right.He should resign and take proper care of himself.Concentrate on getting well again.Life is good!
Danbaba Suntai,the Taraba state governor. Has absolutely no reason not to have resigned.Infact he absolutely has no reason not to dedicate his life to worshipping God.Clinging on to power in the face of death should be the last thing on his mind.How many people do you know of,that get to survive plane crash?He needs to always thank God for sparing his life.At the moment,he reportedly is a vegetable.He evidently cannot govern the people of taraba again.Why not resign?Haba!Is it not the sane thing to do?Governor Suntai needs serious care.
What is with our leaders and clinging on to power?Reminds one of the third term brouhaha,where one man refused to relinquish power if not for the resistence of the people.Reminds one of the Late President Yar’adua(how I so liked that man),whom I am sure wanted to resign,but was forced against his will even when evidently he was dying.He should have still been alive today had he resigned as Katsina state governor long before even being president.Governing a state is killing not to talk of a country.He should have rejected OBJ’s offer!
It is time our leaders began to develop some kind of conscience.It’s time they stopped being unnecessarily selfish.it is time they realized nothing lasts forever.It is time they realized how good it is to develop your own,like building up to standard and well equipped hospitals instead of running abroad any time they have these ‘big man’ diseases.It atleast saves them the stress of the long journey,and in cases of extreme emergency avoid death.
It is time they took a cue from John Aloisious Ratzinger,Pope Benedict XVI-Resign when (you know )you are no longer capable(in what ever capacity).
Chiechefulam Ikebuiro
08167362942
Thalynxis@yahoo.ca