{"id":39038,"date":"2015-05-31T13:28:17","date_gmt":"2015-05-31T12:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=39038"},"modified":"2015-05-31T13:28:17","modified_gmt":"2015-05-31T12:28:17","slug":"may-29th-2015-a-reminder-of-the-transient-nature-of-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/articles-opinions\/may-29th-2015-a-reminder-of-the-transient-nature-of-power\/","title":{"rendered":"May 29th, 2015: A reminder of the transient nature of power"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\nBy Bernard Doro – United Kingdom<\/p>\n

It’s a new dawn. The nation is buzzing – so the citizens and
\nunderstandably so. Something spectacular has happened, Mohammadu Buhari
\nhas assumed the mantle of leadership in this great country – Nigeria. That
\nours survived doomsday predictions is enough to generate euphoria. I
\naligned with the view that the political transition which threw in Buhari
\nis unique, those who understands the intricacies of power in Africa will
\nfind no difficulty accepting this position. Jonathan Goodluck is out,
\nMohammadu Buhari is in. Who would’ve predicted that a ruling party in
\nNigeria would loose elections to an opposition party? This is indeed new
\nin our political experience and surely a new lexicon in our political
\ndictionary, but certainly one that is positive. Supposedly powerful
\nindividuals in Nigeria have seen their power castles crumpled before our
\nvery eyes, all because our people have returned to their proper position
\nof being bosses. That which has hitherto subjugated the people and allowed
\npyramids of power to exist against their wish is now dismantled. In the
\nApril 2015 elections, a sitting president lost his reelection bid,
\ngovernors lost senate bids, anointed candidates failed woefully, the rich
\nand powerful could not influence the process\u00a0 to have their way. Power
\nchanged hands – thus reminds of a saying ‘you would not be the first nor
\nthe last’ meaning every position of power and authority ultimately has a
\nstart and an expiry date.<\/p>\n

In all this, there has been winners and losers but one thing remains clear
\nto me. Power is transient. The April 2015 elections have proved this
\npoint. Events around the world of late is a testament to the fact that
\npower is evanescent. There has been a gradual revolution upstaging the
\nstatus quo, with strong pyramids of power fast declining. Pursuers have
\nbecome the pursued. Those in-charge of security agents\u00a0 are now afraid of
\nthis same security agents. The table has turned. Think of the Arab Spring
\nin 2010. European members state have seen rapid changes of government – in
\nmost cases the people refusing to give a clear majority to established
\npolitical parties. In the United States of America, while Democrats
\ncontrol the Executive arm of government, the senate and congress is
\ncontrolled by the Republicans. Even the corporate world have seen decline
\nin their hold to power. Recent developments such as mobility in world
\npopulation and the ease of sourcing and sharing information through the
\nInternet have contributed greatly in making fragile powerful empires – the
\npeople are becoming more assertive against interest of tyrannical
\nleanings. Oppressive use of authority is no longer fashionable.The
\ntransience of power should make it a cherished commodity, it should serve
\nas limit to tendencies for negative usage. It is a reminder that no matter
\nhow powerful you are today, it does not last forever.<\/p>\n

Those repositories of power in Nigeria, post May 29th 2015, must learn
\nsomething about the inherent nature of power and influence – it is short
\nlived. The positive exercise of power should be pursued through all
\nlegitimate means. When the electorates give a mandate, it is expected that
\nthis converts to common good. The different sources of power such as
\nreferent power, legitimate power, expert, reward, coercive, and
\ninformational powers, should be harnessed to provide excellent leadership
\nthat seek the good of the mandate givers. Those times are fast gone, and
\nfor good, where the political elites only seek for the authority but not
\nthe responsibility aspects of power. The sole purpose of power should be
\nfor positive influence – it should be used to promote the good of others.
\nThere should be a set of principles which govern the use of power that
\nhave been freely given to you to check the pitfalls of abuse – self
\ninterest must be balanced against the interest of common good and valued
\ngoals should be chased.<\/p>\n

As rightly defined by situational management “Power is the potential you
\nhave to get things done or to make them happen”. Your power, that is your
\npotential\u2014 it derives from many sources: ‘expertise, experience,
\nknowledge, reputation, position, perhaps sometimes your personality’. You
\nhave been entrusted through the electoral system the privilege to use a
\nmix of these power sources for positive influence. Power is the tool that
\nenables you to change for good every aspect that depends on you. Nigeria
\nneeds an urgent turnaround in all areas of the national life. Corruption
\nis endemic, basic citizenship is lacking, ineffective civil service,
\ninstitutional mediocrity, judicial ineptitude, security challenges,
\nover-reliance on oil, poor management of resources amongst other ills. We
\ndefinitely cannot continue this way, it should not be business as usual –
\nthings have to change and the Nigerian electorates have sent a clear
\nindication of intent during the 2015 elections.<\/p>\n

Power. How transient, how brief, how short. Let the wise learn!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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