Herald of the Statesmen

The 2015 general elections are around the corner. As is now common, the media would be filled with accusations, counter-accusations, critiques, and endorsements of potential candidates or political parties by supposed “statesmen”. This is what I refer to as the herald of the statesmen.

Who is a Statesman?

Chamber’s 20th Century Dictionary defines a statesman as _“one skilled in government: one who takes an important part in governing the state, especially with wisdom and broad-mindedness”_. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (6th edition) defines a statesman as “a wise, experienced and respected political leader”.

Judging by the definitions, I am more inclined towards the Chamber’s definition, few persons qualify to be called statesmen. This is the case be it at the ethnic nationality level, and through all levels of government.

Few Presidents/Heads of State, Governors, Senators, Representatives, Chairmen, Kings, Chiefs, ex-ministers, ex-commissioners, have exhibited statesmanlike qualities. However, the gullible masses, and many who should know better refer to any and every person as a statesman.

Why Do We Ascribe a Distinguished Title Generously?

These two reasons come to mind when I try to make sense of the Nigerian “statesman”.

Lack of True Statesmen

In our 54years of existence as a country, and shorter duration as states, few persons qualify as statesmen. Being the “society” that we are and as nature abhors a vacuum, that void has to be filled. So we fill it with what is available. Anyone who has come close to a position of power in time past, becomes a statesman. We pay no mind to his/her questionable past: misappropriation of public funds, personal aggrandizement via ghost contracts etc. All is well as long as s/he has been in a position of power.

Convenience for Purpose

Dean Acheson said _“the first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull”_. This is damning but true about many a Nigerian “statesman”.

Politicians in need of public endorsements tag persons as statesmen, more popularly, elder statesmen. They then proceed to climb on such name tags to achieve their purpose, garnering popularity. Popular family names become statesmen, even children of past leaders become statesmen, all to achieve the politician’s goal.

I can go on about how the chieftaincy and kingship positions in Nigeria are being and have been flawed, and how there is a dearth in the ideals on which our traditional societies were founded. However, I believe that these are common knowledge.

The Statesman Test

I have a few criteria I use when evaluating a reported “statesman”. They are:

Partisanship: Harold Macmillan wrote, “when you are abroad, you are a statesman. When you are at home, you are just a politician”. This rings true of the typical Nigerian statesman, he is better referred to as a party chieftain. A true statesman knows that government transcends politics.
Past Contributions: What ways has s/he contributed in the past to the development of society? In his/her past positions, how well did s/he perform?

These questions would help establish on what moral authority a statesman is to be held.

Relevance: How relevant, vocal is s/he during the tenure of a government? A statesman does not appear only during times of elections, he is vocal about how the government is run. He speaks, be it in favour or against the government of the day.
Responsibility: A true statesman takes responsibility. He does not endorse candidates lightly, knowing the influence he wields over a people. When he does so wrongly, he admits his mistake to his people and does all he can to correct it.

Can you hear them? The “statesmen” are coming. All I ask now, is that when they come, – not if, because they certainly will come – you judge them and their self acclaimed titles by their past actions. By their contributions to the development of the larger society. By their stance for justice, at the expense of personal benefit. By their personal and social responsibility.