Code 001: Dear Politicians, learn speech manners; Etiquette is free.

 

" Please, vote for me. "

" You are irrelevant and you possess an unsuitable mind for the position you hold. "

The quoted statements above reveal the sharp contrast between the time a politician needs your vote and when he has assumed office.

The best time to meet a politician is when he is vying for a position. The respect you would get will make you think you are the eldest in their prospective in-law's house. It is indeed a humbling time for them. A politician would greet you when it is not necessary, he would laugh with you and exchange contacts because he is about to flood your chat box with his campaign broadcasts. He would even take a walk with you and your friends and bless you upon every sneeze. After his assumption to office, those manners and over-the-top friendliness disappear like they never existed.  

Mr and Miss Politician would not hesitate to pour dirty water on you if you speak against their rule or try to correct them. They find it insulting and something laden with parochial interests to question their moves. The moment they realize that power has left your hands, they can call you whatever they deem fit and question your intellect if they so desire. They would dictate to you what you must do because they are in a position of power and you are not. It is a common trend in UI to see politicians reply to criticisms with so much zeal and articulation - traits many of their manifestos lacked. The armoury of words will amaze you.

Dear Politician, you once begged for the votes of these people you have called irrelevant. The rights of your position do not include talking carelessly and rudely to your fellow students. Absolute power corrupts absolutely but reserve some manners, Your Excellency. Speak with a sense of decorum and refrain from your tirade of harsh words. Lend your armoury to the public speakers and redirect that energy to fulfiling your promises. Nigeria might be an uncivilised society but it is up to you - young Buharis and Lai Mohammeds - to change the system. You do not need to flex your muscle and downplay our personalities to show us your proficiency in the English Language.  

 

Mr and Miss Politician, etiquette is free. You do not need to pay a kobo to talk to people with respect. It will not take you a run from your office to Ajibode gate and back to cultivate good morals. We were all taught etiquette in our primary schools, I implore you to look for your notes and go through them once again. It is not all that surprising that you forget these basic things because your mainstream political counterparts are much worse. 

When you come with your manifestos and in your ironed suits next time, we will think twice before giving you an audience because it might only take a couple of months before you tell us that our minds are not formed to the expected capacity and because of this, we should stay away from vital positions in the society. 

N:B The statements above are not directly quoted from anybody but bear similitude to some statements from a person.