By the time the history of Enugu 2023 gubernatorial election is written, historians will record it that Dr. Peter Mbah's decision to contest for the office of the governor on the platform of the PDP, was like a knight on a white horse. The excitement it generated among Ndi-Enugu, especially the youths, was unprecedented. Clearly, one of the important landmarks of his gubernatorial quest was to draw a new generation of young people into politics. He played politics by its rules. In the face of unprovoked attacks on his person, he remained cool, poised and committed to the cause. No doubt, he has shaken things up and reawakened our consciousness, perhaps more than any politician has ever done. It's something rarely seen in our political history for the past twenty four years until now.
Beyond that, history will record it for Dr. Mbah, that indeed, there is so much one man with integrity, strength of character and competence can do to positively change the course of people who earnestly desire a new pathway to politics and governance. That is why, in Enugu today, upon his declaration and subsequent issuance of his Certificate of return by the INEC, there were huge celebrations in all parts of Enugu state. This is not just a measure of his popularity, but of his convinction, character, credibility and trust. Because of him, those who were until now perhaps abandoned, rejected and thrown out of politics, have become political stakeholders and of course, made his electoral victory a success.
That is how Dr. Mbah has redefined our politics, perception and charisma in the context that is profound. You see, charisma is rooted in the values and feelings that people have about someone. It is influence born of the alchemy that Aristotle called the 'logos; the 'ethos; and the 'pathos'. It means, to persuade others, you must use powerful and reasoned rhetoric, establish personal and moral credibility, and then rouse followers' emotions and passions. If a leader can do those three things well, he or she can tap into the hopes and ideals of followers, give them a sense of purpose, and inspire them to achieve great things
If you are one of those still wondering how the Tomorrow Is Here because a rallying point, a tagline, and a catchphrase in the election, and why every development centre visited by Dr. Mbah became aglitter, look no further. The crowds see in this man as one who embodies the virtues they want in a new Enugu state; a man who seeks power of o achieve great purposes, definitely, not for his own personal advancement. It is just God's design that he was elected the governor on the March 18, 2023, and this victory represent the future of Ndi-Enugu. History will be most unkind to those who did everything possible to thwart God's arrangements for Ndi-Enugu. What Dr. Mbah did, and other gubernatorial candidate didn't do, is in the fact that, he was able to first connect with the people, his message clearly, and then lead.
More than others, he knew that for a leadership in this age that is driven by technology, trust and transparency are key. It involves leveling with the people. His past record became his present pitch of his campaign. No advertising agency can define you better than yourself. More than others, Dr. Mbah knew from the outset that to exert influence, you must balance competence with warmth. A growing body of research by Amy J.C Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger (published in the Harvard Business Review, July - August, 2013 Edition), revealed that "warmth is the conduit of influence". It facilitates trust and the communication and absorption of ideas. One takeaway from the research is that, without a foundation of trust, people may comply outwardly with leader's message, but they are much less likely to confirm privately - to adopt the values, cultures and mission in a sincere, lasting way. If the governorship was a prize to be won, Dr. Mbah braced the tap with honour and unblemished character.
It will also be written to his credit that though no leader can be great who does not know how to use power, all the same, someone can truly lead without first securing power. What does all of this tell you? The ideas, the message, the energy Dr. Mbah has generated across the state and abroad, are certainly things we have not heard or seen in many years in our politics. It throws up the question that Niccolo Machiavelli asked over 500 years ago: is it better to be loved or feared? Machiavelli, however, acknowledged that "it may be answered that one should wish to be both, but because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much safer to be feared than be loved". That is the path many of our politicians follow. It's a devious path. Dr. Peter Mbah refused to walk on that path, because many of those who followed that Machiavelli path never returned with a peace of mind. It is a timeless conundrum. Taken together, Dr. Mbah has been able to prove beyond doubt that leaders who project strength before establishing trust run the risk of eliciting fear, and along with it a host of dysfunction behaviours. That's is what happened to Chijioke Edeoga and his new found apostle, Bath Nnaji and host of other PDP betrayals.
Plainly speaking, history will be kind to Dr. Mbah's accomplishment in this election as the triumph of human spirit. Historians will likely call him the "happy warrior". He has also demonstrated why warmth trumps over raw strength. This is why: the primacy of warmth manifest in many interrelated ways that powerfully underscore the importance of connecting with people before you try to lead them. A happy warrior reassures the people that whatever challenges you may face, things will work out in the end if you don't give up or take your eyes of the ball. The happy warrior in Mbah is what made him, even in the face of the rough and tumble of our politics to get him down, he has remained focused, with smiles and quick wit, standing straight and firm, irrespective of leadership, and a strong desire for service. Indeed, Ndi-Enugu has gotten something to celebrate in this victory.
Our TomorrowIsHere
