THE SAVING POWER OF “HELLO”

Editor’s Note: The opinions contained in this commentary are the writer’s.

Disclaimer: I solemnly swear that whatever emotions may be evoked after reading this article has nothing to do with the writer.

As the dramatic Alexander Brown Hall electioneering processcomes to a close and a new executive council is being constituted, I cannot help but ruminate over events that transpired during the course of the electoral process.

First, I must commend the enigmatic “Rachael Idowu” for such an illuminating article that remarkably captured the totality of the elections including the future prospects of theadministrative year. You may think of this write-up as an addendum of the sort.

I was not entirely surprised at the ironical play out of the elections. I have always taken certainties in elections with a pinch of salt. It is indeed a game of not only numbers but tactics. I therefore, took it upon myself to ask around and hearout the opinions of Brownites and how exactly the build up to their choice of candidates.

The things I heard made me shudder!

The unexpected turn of event with the votes goes a long way in teaching an invaluable lesson which many people oftentake for granted – never leave anything to chance. In this society of ours, hard-work may often be sacrificed on the altar of blind solidarity.

1. People Never Forget An Insult

Winning or losing an election is a function of many factors. Albeit, the role of uttered words to the crowd on the night before the deciding event cannot be overlooked.

As a leader or one-in-the making, extreme caution has to be put in place when addressing people especially the pre-election period, including manifesto and press nights.

How can you climb the manifesto stage and [paraphrased] assume that all females are fans of ZeeWorld as against males who love watching football, hence football takes preference over ZeeWorld? 

That is political suicide! Particularly when it comes to matters that tend to dichotomize genders. And like all costly mistakes – once said, it can never be retrieved.

2. The Saving Power of “Hello”

No matter how unregarded, disregarding greeting might not be the wisest decision to make when nurturing the intention ofrunning for a political office. Again, it might seem odd that people will choose a candidate that greets them regardless of the person’s ability to function well in the office but greeting often shows that you are approachable, like people will be able to relate with you when you get into office. It may sound flawed,but not in politics.

I am not one to vote a candidate based on whether he or she greets me or not – and while I disagree with the notion that “a candidate who doesn’t greet cannot lead” – one cannot deny the glaring fact, that it does play a pivotal role in giving an edge over another aspirant.

Vast experience and unquantifiable selfless service to the hall might be good selling points. However, if you ooze with the vibe of not being approachable or you have “an attitude” even amongst your fellow core members then they may just forgive your opponent for not serving in any relevant committee andthrow their full votes behind the person

You doubt this? Kindly ask about the floor rep that received nine No‘s from members of the floor on Block B last two years | or the Aspirant that received 24 No votes in the just concluded UADS elections.

Make no mistake about this -it is not just few weeks to the elections -then you move from Mister I–don’t-give-a-damn to Miss Sunshine-and-Buttercups! You are simply deceiving yourself

3. The Power of “Home”

There is no use going out in a bid to conquer other blocks to support you, when your block barely knows of your intention to run for a position. One cannot fail to notice the home advantage that enabled Paulo to sweep the votes away from Bambino towards himself – and still cornered some votes even from E block – which Bambino resides.

4. Every Vote Matters

There is no exemplary case to depict this than the dramatic results of the Office of the Information Minister. Nothing screams “Political Suicide” than when a candidate fails gather the vote of every single person available–including friends.

So while one candidate was busy curating votes , the other decided to go for an outreach with friends and came back after the end of the voting process–that’s over six or seven votes lost. Quite painful!

Make no mistake, this is not to anger or insult anyone – but just to bring to light, the little things we do not pay attention to when we decide to run for political positions.

The elections are over and the results are out. However, of a certainty is the chiasm we have created while trying to pick sides – which may be difficult to repair in the coming days.

Regardless of the personal preference or sentiments – we must look forward to a better ABH, one that seeks to transcend all forms of departmental factions or inter-class divisions. Anything outside this, then all these energies and ruckus would have just been a waste – and we will be right back where we started!