I am dumbfounded on who to congratulate between the people of Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency and the honourable Mansir Ali Mashi, for the just-concluded supplementary rerun election as directed by Election Petition Tribunal. Perhaps, it will be wiser to rejoice with both parties; congratulations the people of Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency for the successful election exercise and for casting your votes to whom it deserves most. Similarly, congratulations honourable Mansir Ali Mashi for winning the heart of your people.
I never met honourable Mansi Ali Mashi in person, I am neither from his Constituency nor his political sycophant. But I was so moved with the ultimate political commitments of Mansir Ali Mashi of making the lives of his people better (particularly, Mashi/Dutsi constituency) was so widespread that most people from other constituencies like me began to imagine how they wish, they were under the leadership of this descent, young and committed politician.
Almost all the elected wailers of Change has not delivered half their promises in everything. This phenomenon gave Ali Mashi tough time in winning his election once and for all. Alas! Mansir Ali surprised many, if not all the people of Katsina State in his first 100 days in office. He shows a political ideology enriched with sincerity, truthfulness, willingness and anxiousness to discharge his duties of making lives better. These qualities among many of Ali Mashi make him a veteran politician who deserve a commendation of any well-meaning Nigerian (of course not only indigenes of Katsina State), so I decided to pen down on him.
It is, of course, the first time for Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency to understand the real meaning of democracy. Yes, for the first time, because the milestone covered by Mansir Ali Mashi in less 100 days in office is more than the milestone covered by many of his colleagues that spent over 8 years (2920 days) in office. Having some doubt? Come and see!
I have chosen not mention any of Mansir Ali’s project for two reasons; one I am not trying to make a brand for him, he has already done it for himself. And two, to create space for my write-up. Because my appreciation about Ali Mashi’s transformation and narrating his remarkable projects are lengthy to comprehend.
Psychologists believe with no doubt that, when people get into power, they change radically and become so utterly disconnected from reality. And gradually, they become very insensitive and self-absorbed, (apologies to Farooq Kperogi). Well, psychologists might be right on many of our politicians, but not on Mansir Ali Mashi. In fact, when Ali Mashi got into power, power portrays his real qualities, Vis a Vis; hard-work, commitments, fairness, incorruptibility and standard leadership, to say the least. It becomes a tradition of politicians to be surrounded by psychological snares of power (subordinates and favour-seekers), who will tell them anything they want to hear, painting them with excessive praise and sycophantic drooling. Believe you me, Mansir Ali Mashi was totally different politician we ever known in Katsina State, he extricated himself from these psychological snares of power.
Ali Mashi believes, subordinates and friends who always flatter you, will never tell you the truth. When it comes to flattery, Ali Mashi follows the Dale Carnegie’s principle of dealing with people, that; the difference between appreciation and flattery is; one is sincere; the other is insincere. One comes from the heart out; the other comes from teeth out. One is unselfish; the other is selfish. Considering these facts, Mansir chooses to live with people with principles of making humanity better, people with positive ideology and above all, people who are hearty in their approbation and lavish in their praise, (as suggested by Dale Carnegie).
I cannot prophesies the future, but I can fathom Ali Mashi’s political career; a brighter one of course. Similarly, I don’t know how power will swing his leadership integrity in the future, but I hope he will retain his good and exceptional qualities; most importantly, continue to be with committed people who will be his compass and continue to navigate in the right direction, until we all enjoy his good service, Amin.
Ibrahim Haruna MaiJamaa Sabon-layi, Katsina iharunam@gmail.com 08060807627
