THE NUANCES OF INSTANT GRATIFICATION IN TARABA POLITICS.
By Eliud Jen Mathew
When i was in secondary school, i was uncommonly tilted to the axiom that “suffering should be creative, ‘ thus, it should give birth to something good and lovely which is gratification.
But with the passage of time, i got to shifting my goal post after reflecting on some principles of life and positive advancement.
l ruminated on politics, governance and socio- cultural milieu to reach the conclusion that the path of instant gratification carries with it the pains of accompanying misery and disillusionment. Those who wantonly pursue the gains of instant gratification especially in politics end up on the street of exclusivity and total abyss.
This is perhaps the reason people cry fowl after electing leaders to occupy positions of trust and responsibility and end up pursuing egocentric goals instead of developing the society. such folks (leaders) felt that they bought their way through the political echelons and therefore should be allowed to amass wealth to the detriment of communal needs.
I am highly of the opinion that the politics of instant gratification, though strewn with flowers in merry go- round, ultimately leads to perdition.
The fact is that when morals are thrown out to the dogs, rule of law suffers defeat. l am simply talking here about undue gratification which covers true justice hence given birth to poor leadership.
Our dear State (Taraba) reflects a growing concern among citizens about the need for sustainable development and long-term planning instead of citizens harping on the principle of instant gratification to demonstrate political franchise.
For instance, the politics of instant gratification often prioritizes short-term gains and quick fixes over long-term solutions, which can hinder meaningful progress and development in the state.
Secondly, the desire for instant gratification attracts lack of sustainable development drive by political office holders. This approach can lead to a lack of investment in critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare, ultimately affecting the state’s overall growth and prosperity.
Thirdly, drive for instant gratification begets Citizen Disillusionment. When promises are not fulfilled, citizens become disillusioned with the political process, leading to decreased trust and participation in governance.
If anything, I am calling on citizens to drop the theatrical levity of the pursuit of instant gratification in the game of politics because leadership is not rocket science. There is therefore the need for long-Term planning and need assessment to address these challenges coupled with strategic investment, and a focus on sustainable development that benefits future generations.
By shifting from the innuendoes of instant gratification to long-term planning, Taraba State can work towards creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for its citizens.
