The story of the prodigal son in the holy Bible greatly underscores the importance of home in man’s voyage in life.
Governor Seriake Dickson, in a warm handshake with a former MD, NDDC,
and Co-ordinator of the Presidential Programme on Amnesty, Timi Alaibe,
during the latter’s formal return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,
at Government House, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Friday.
One of its fundamental lessons, is the primacy of a man’s home above any other place he may be in all circumstances.
The narrative as illustrated in Luke 15, 11-32, provides man the
eternal window of returning home when any voyage seems no longer in his
interest.
This story, which is also known as the parable of the lost sheep,
largely reflected in last Friday’s return of a former Managing Director
of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Timi Alaibe, to the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The news of the return with prominent leaders in Bayelsa State, was
symbolically the return of the lost son, who embarked on a journey.
Apart from his supporters, notable chieftains, who defected to the PDP,
with him were former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, SSG, Gideon
Ekeowei, onetime Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Chief Keme Prefa,
ex-Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Council, Barnabas Edure, former
Executive Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB,
Rhodesia Whyte, and former state lawmakers including Nelson Belief.
Those were not the only people.
Interestingly, even Alaibe himself aknowleged that his latest move, was a
return to base. And true to the natural laws guiding such an event in
the biblical times, there is more joy in Bayelsa PDP now about this move
than the fact that the party is stronger today.
The development is instructive in Bayelsa given that it goes a long way
to validate that the PDP is now more attractive than ever. Considering
that the ex-NDDC boss was actually coming from a ruling party, leaves
one with the impression that his mission is not self-serving. It is a
call to a higher, deeper inclination in the interest of the people.
For Alaibe, the PDP is a familiar turf, having commenced his political
journey on its platform. At the same time, he had served this country in
top capacities for belonging to the party. The records are there
for many to see how Alaibe served his people and Nigeria creditably and
selflessly.
In fact, Alaibe had been a major player in the PDP and was at the time
he left, one of its leading lights in Bayelsa, the South South and
indeed, Nigeria.
Some might question why he is returning to a fold he dumped. Even if
such a question may not be with malice, it is imperative to state that
Alaibe left PDP when it was politically expedient. Now that he had
experienced the All Progressives Congress, APC, also, it won’t be wrong
to say that he has realised the platform that best serves his and his
peoples’ interests. This is not to say that he switched his party as a
result of selfishness. We should not lose sight of the fact that
interest is the only parmanent thing in politics. Besides, every
politics is local. And were he to have wished for self alone, the
national, ruling platform remains a very veritable one to achieve that.
Perhaps, this is the reason he has reconnected with his root, which is a
rudimentary political platform. The party’s strong presence in the
state, makes it imperative that someone like Alaibe should not stand by
the side or outside the fold, and watch.
His place is not on the fringes or sidelines but the mainstream where his talents would be well utilised for the state.
That is why analysts want him to see his return as an avenue to collectively work for the glory of all lands.
There is even no auspicious time for that but now, considering the
efforts of Governor Seriake Dickson at developing Bayelsa. Alaibe is an
asset to any development agenda in the state any day. This is one of the
major reasons his presence in the PDP excites the party.
Worthy of note is the fact that the party he has returned to is a
different picture from the one he left for the APC. Having undergone
reforms at various organs, there is a breath of fresh air in the party.
Under its new leadership, the PDP now exemplifies how well a political party should operate in a multi-party democracy.
This is no longer a party that failed to learn from its past but one
that offers every member equal opportunities to participate in the
political process. If this is the case, then, Alaibe now belongs to the
fold of true democracts, bringing with him his wealth of experience and
exposure.
Like most steps undertaken for the common good, Alaibe is not alone in
this, as Dickson should be commended for leading the party right. Had
the governor not offered leadership in the PDP when it mattered most,
none would have found the fold attractive. Yet, while the likes of
Alaibe were leading the party, only the likes of the General, Diepreye
Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha held sway in their majesty.
Aside purposeful political leadership, I have no doubt that Dickson’s
guardiance of the Ijaw nation was also found intereating by Alaibe.
As highlited earlier that his mission could be easily misconstrued to be
driven by personal ambition, it is worth noting that the Ijaw nation
has always found a way to rally its own, just as it attracts the
fraternity of other ethnic groups in JIgeria, a testament to Dickson’s
cosmopolitan worldview – which is also present in Alaibe’s.
The average human beign is ambitous and as such, if Alaibe is called
upon to serve, it would be an honour to respond. Having used his
capacity as the head of NDDC and Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty
Programme, to selflessly promote peace and development in the country,
it would not be surprising seeing Alaibe respond to more callings.
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