Can Politics Be Clean?

So, imagine toiling for your party and hoping that at the right time the party’s hierarchy dutifully recognizes your diligence and commitment to the cause and rightfully doles out an assignment that justifies the sweat and grit you have expended all along.

But sadly, when that day finally arrives, your hopes are scurrilously dashed by the scheming and machinations of local political operatives with an ax to grind and determined to scuttle your appointment to that cushy local job.

The scenario I have painted is unfortunately the harsh reality of the times we live in. It therefore goes without saying that anyone who finds themselves in these circumstances will justifiably be outraged and spoiling for a fight. However, the victim of the dubiousness, the naked day-light robbery, Lawyer Mohammed Shaibu Abdulai is not the type who revels in raising heckles.

Instead, he is unassuming and an abundantly decent man which explains why he has not screamed and acted puerilely when a job he was offered by the Lands Commission in Accra has been whisked from underneath him and secretly handed over to someone with unusually close ties to the Northern Regional Lands Officer.

Worse, the schemers have deliberately intercepted letters announcing Lawyer Shaibu’s appointment as Chairman of the Tamale Lands Commission. Talk about chutzpah, brazen audacity!!

What is galling about this underhandedness is the fact that Lawyer Shaibu a remarkably good lawyer and a consummate professional, who has used his considerable legal skills to defend the NPP in and out of court and has, in fact, gone out of his way to fight for the values the party espouses –fairness, equity and respect — is being given the short end of the stick. And that is ugly.

Let us be clear-eyed here; it is deeply troubling that a duo of malevolent local actors are allowed the free rein to manipulate, intimidate and sabotage all in a bid to game the system. Lawyer Raw deserves better.