Date: 2014-12-03

After reading this piece, the first reaction to expect from all those who don't like Sherif too much, is to dismiss this as yet another paid write-up. In a country where Journalists are fast turning into professional blackmailers in order to extort money, the suspicion of everybody as hungry writer may not be totally false. But again, there are times when the scent of money should not be the only reason to pick up a pen and a paper. Other things, such as conviction and conscience, are very important factors that should propel a writer to pick up his pen.

Though I have heard interesting tid bits about Sherif Shagaya, the first time I read specific news about this fine young man, who is reputed for his excellent tactics in avoiding the media search-light, was when a colleague, Kemi Lanre-Aremu of The Punch Newspapers, wrote a two paragraph story about his attendance at the Lagos Polo Club 2014 tournament. Even then, Kemi had little to report, because her subject was a man who rarely speaks and was known to be very brief even when he decides to do so.

From his close friends and associates, I gathered that Sherif is rather taciturn by nature, and this reserved nature, I understand, is what many regarded as arrogance on his part. But like Mother Teresa said, "(There) are few ways we can practice humility, (and) to speak as little as possible of one's self" is itself a huge factor in assessing humility.

I have not met Sherif himself in person, but many of his friends and admirers who spoke to me attested to the reserved nature of Alhaji Sherif Shagaya. And as a reporter who has been a keen follower of political events in Nigeria, I know that what many politicians lack, and for which this country has continued to suffer, is the humility to treat those who are beneath them as fellow human beings. Before writing this piece, I interviewed quite a handful of people – former employees, business associates, friends, current employees and politicians, and what many of these people attested to is the fair-mindedness of Sherif as a person. And though the best candidates don't always win, I will report my findings and leave the rest to PDP delegates and Kwara voters to decide.

As a woman, I take the business of choosing political candidates, during elections, to be as important as choosing the husband to marry. I know that elections present voters with important choices, choices that could either result in pain or pleasure. And for me, I think the most important thing to consider during elections is not the process or even the system, but the players and actors within the system that would later turn out to be the leaders when elected. The character of political candidates is the most important yardstick for measuring the sort of leadership to expect after every election. Therefore, while this may sound like a PR job for Sherif Shagaya, it is actually my own contribution aimed at helping the delegates and voters to make the right choice as we approach yet again another very crucial election in Nigeria's history.

My intention here is not to champion Sherif Shagaya as a messiah. Rather, my motive for writing this piece is to provide a benchmark for assessing issues and deciding which candidates to support. I see someone asking: why pick Sherif of all candidates standing for election in Kwara State? Well, my preference for Sherif stems from the fact that he is the only young aspirant that I know of, and he also represents the fresh air we have been clamoring for in Nigerian politics. If there is any other candidate in that State, apart from Sherif, who is just 34-year old and who has achieved some personal success outside of politics, I would really be glad to receive information about such a person.

Therefore, as delegates file out this Saturday to choose the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the House of Representatives elections, it is time to consider the issues they in particular and by extension the voters ought to and should care about. I am majorly concerned about how the delegates can see through the distortion techniques that have been employed in the build up to the Saturday Primaries.

Before Saturday and long before now, I have read attacks on Sherif Shagaya based on characteristics that will not affect his performance in office. Accusations such as, "Sherif is arrogant and full of hot air" do not give any real information about the candidate. The delegates would do well to ask specific questions such as: would the candidate be approachable after winning the election? Does he have the wherewithal to finance his campaigns at the election proper? What major advantage does the candidate bring to the party? etc

Again, the delegates would do well not to allow statements such as "we know Sherif is a good guy but we don't like his mother" to influence their decision. Guilt by association is not only an unfair means of assessment but also a wicked way to hold someone else for somebody else's sin. Candidates must be rated on their individual merit and not because of the shortcomings of their supporters or relatives. Many people who voted Barrack Obama as U.S President in 2008 didn't like Mitchell Obama (his wife), but they looked beyond that narrow mindedness and still went ahead to vote for the husband. A candidate must be judged on his merit and personal traits.

Importantly, I think delegates and voters should be wary of candidates who Promises the sky. Unrealistic promises that no elected official could fulfill would only bring temporary ovation but longer pains. I have visited Sherif Shagaya's Facebook campaign platform and I have read his take on the issue of campaign promises and manifesto. I am aware that the young man said he would rather search for solutions that work among the people when he is given the mandate to represent them, rather than assuming to know all and promising heaven and earth. For me, this is a different approach to governance, one which takes cognizance of the opinion and want of the people being led. Sure, using the solutions proffered by the citizens to complement the already drafted manifesto would guarantee a holistic delivery of the dividends of democracy that we passionately yearn for.

Finally, I would like to leave our prospective delegates with the words of Henry Kissinger: "...For a brief period, (party delegates) are admired, wooed, pressured, flattered, cajoled, endlessly pursued. The day after they have chosen, they return to oblivion". To the highly revered PDP delegates, the men and women of the moment, my prayer is that you will use the single day of Saturday to give us candidates that would make us indebted to you in gratitude forever. May your decision this Saturday bring you immortality and not oblivion. May the good God guide your fingers and your thoughts.

Owolabi, a freelance Journalist, writes from Lagos.