It is amazing how shameless our politicians are quick to copy chameleonic ways and changing traits in the discharge of their public sacred duties. So much so that we applaud them sometimes as "maradona" etc thereby giving some element of credence to such woeful vice. This negative acceptance by the populace and praise singing by the media of these politicians and leaders, have consequently led to the now accept notion by the generality of Nigerians that for one to function as a successful politician cum leaders, one must necessarily be flexible and changeable in ideology, views and philosophy .It is surmise by the clever ability to be able to ask your disciples to listen to the prophets while they the politicians play around the golden calf.

What this translate to is, the erroneous impression created in the minds of the populace is that the politician is a person not accountable for his unguided statements, a person who calls a spade a jack. Nigerian politicians have developed thick skin over being inconsistent in their opinions. Issues of credibility play no important role in streamlining and defining a leader acceptance by the citizens. These pose a conundrum as to the real intent and purpose of aspirants to leadership in the country. If the noble intentions are to serve the people and the country, then, a politician must hold very dear to their heart, the issue impeccable transparency, credibility and immutable rigidity to ideological beliefs on whom the people can lay their trust and hope upon.

Perhaps the time has become ripe for issues oriented election debates. The first real attempt to conduct one, exposed the short coming during the June 12 1993 televised debates. Before I digress, It seems that our politician take the citizen for a dumb ride or classify them in generality as bereaved of recollection or perhaps their votes not necessary to ensure victory since there is always a recourse to crude variant of Floridian type magic as an option. A brief recollection of past examples suffices here to provide a clearer understanding of just where am heading to.

Taking a most recent cue from the late Sani Abacha, who in the heat of the political imbroglio following the June 12th episode, Abacha it was who promised to convene the dreaded sovereign national conference (S.N.C) upon assumption. No sooner had he perfected his hold over the country did he renegade in his promise and substitute the SNC with a moribund hand picked constitutional conference

Just recently, it was reported that president Obasanjo is dancing a different tune to the (S.N.C) I want to believe that this is not true. Let me refresh your memories with an excerpt of a speech delivered by General Olusegun Obasanjo in The Sunday magazine (T.S.M) anniversary edition, vol.9, No8, 27^th February, 1994:"Views of 30 distinguished Nigerians on the basis of unity (in) Nigeria."…The forum for dealing with this matter, as I see it, is a national conference. A constitutional conference can deal with a number of relevant issues, but will remain somewhat limiting."

I have always admired military men as men of honor, but with this adoptive meandering by our military gentlemen, it leaves so much to conjecture if that perception still holds. Why the change of beliefs? Has the condition, which gave rise to the clamor for S.N.C. suddenly, disappeared? If these latest utterances appears disturbing, then the still birth of a full scale probe of corrupt officials and the lack of vision of Oputa led commission are all far cry for what the society anticipated prior to the ascension of office of the present administration. The general perception of the qualities of a politician must be redefined. Politics should center on issues and ability to execute electoral promises. The bogus and unfulfilled promises by our leaders have been accepted norms that form part of the trademark of Nigerian politicians. As it stands, Nigerians cannot say with any iota of certainty what the views of our leaders are on issues lie religion, sharia, federal structure, revenue allocation, military and police except given to wide guesses due to the ever changing views traits of our politicians.

Integrity and credibility are the hallmark of leadership and not the "read my lips after math syndrome" let our leader words be their bond. Public service is a call to national duty. In a couple of months the people would speak, vox populi, vox dei on Election Day.

Fellow Nigerians we have a change to bequeath a legacy for posterity. I salute your courage.