Leadership that works comes with great responsibility, and many times that responsibility is about taking the tough decisions, the painful decisions, if at the end it serves the overall strategic interest of the entire group.
That is what the Most Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe, Cicero of Rivers politics, did yesterday.
It’s not as if the decision was a unilateral one. It was made after consultations with political associates both within and without Rivers State to underlie its broad-based underpinnings.
His well- thought decision to withdraw his petition from the Election Petition Tribunal is like a blissful marriage between political dynamism and dynamic thinking at the highest level.
Politics happens in epochs. The ability to understand the time, like the sons of Issachar in the Bible, is the difference between cruising a ship filled with followers aground and applying a deft navigational touch to dodge the iceberg to save those on board.
Senator Abe is an intelligent man, but he is also a consummate political risk taker. However, one thing he will never do is to intentionally lead his people aground. He has proven over the years that his followers can trust his judgment because he lives for them, and everything he does, he does it for them.
Of course, the decision he has taken is a very painful one, and he obviously didn’t arrive at the decision lightly.
But standing on a pedestal that affords him a panoramic view of the entire political canvass that is unavailable to many of us, he sees ahead of us and we must trust his honesty, believe in his altruism, have faith in his intelligence and support his decision. He wears the shoes and knows where it pinches. He has made a decision, not for himself, but in the overall interest of all of us.
To all our supporters who feel pained and disappointed at his decision, I ask you to show understanding because I know the intricacies involved in the decision and the altruism that drives it. Take it in your stride. Believe. Obey. Support, for as God lives, there will always be a better day, and tomorrow will come with its light.
Ironically, our political opponents have appeared more frustrated by Senator Abe’s decision to withdraw his petition than his genuine supporters. That is inexplicable, but then, there is a sweetness buried in the bowel of their anguish which Abe supporters can extract for their edification at this moment.
So to our opponents who are running riot with palpitating bitterness over Abe’s legitimate decision, I wish you a loving recitation of the serenity prayer: may God grant you all the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
As John Engler said, you win by working hard, making tough decisions and building strong coalition”. The decision that Senator Abe has made is a leadership responsibility, and the pragmatism of it shows that it is in the best interest of the group. The future will prove its wisdom. Continue Reading
