By Shuaibu Usman Muhammad
Lafia, Nigeria 🇳🇬
To be inclusive is to be acceptable. This is a pattern of politics that the political landscape, arguably, in the less advanced democracies have taken up with kid-gloves attitude.
Political inclusiveness, as well, discipline in politics has a potential to advance modern-day democracy, dispose off politics of thuggery, resentment and disrespect.
This attitude of political inclusiveness and respect is a cultural and moral norm that should be instilled on politicians and by politicians to their cronies, acolytes and loyalists to maintain a society that is politically stable, respectful and developed to bring all and accept all irrespective perceived rivalry, ethnicity, religion, race or orientation.
In Nasarawa State, one of the most sought-after and remarkable governorship hopefuls across party lines that has instilled this moral value in himself and associates for long is Dr. Faisal Shuaib, immediate past Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
He is one that believes in the more developed nations pattern of democracy that preaches acceptance, purpose and discipline in and outside politics.
He is believed by political analysts in the state to have established a stronger and more inclusive political processes that are leading to increased participation and political influence of citizens and most critical stakeholders.
A political analyst from Keffi, Abeya Samuel said he was pleased with Dr. Shuaib’s attitude to openess, expressing confidence that it is important in bringing “more accountable governments and institutions, and stronger, more inclusive societies”.
Dr. Shuaib’s track record of excellence in the Nigerian and international communities must have played a key role in reshaping his political and moral attitudes to politics as against the “business as usual politicians”.
He is believed to entrench a politics of logical corollary. A cerebral opinion that sustaining such pattern advances commitment to working for all with no resentment, but to incorporate and accept die-hard rivals too for influence, representation, harmony and development devoid of dissent.
According to a scholar, to be inclusive is having a society that all citizens are united in patriotic attachment to shared set of political practices and values.
Dr. Faisal Shuaib is spotted at various places in and outside his native Nasarawa State to embrace not just aspirants of the state number seat but even his perceived foes. He has acculturated decency and respect for elders and his subordinates which is attested to by monarchs, religious leaders, captains of industries, political heavyweights and the citizenry.
This attitude has not begun today or prior to the clarion calls for him to contest for the number seat. Dr. Shuaib was known as a promoter of integrity, discipline and leadership as a professional medical doctor of world-view experience, even then in the Nasarawa State civil service.
Commenting, a political advocate, Shehu Karkuzu, said “He is trying to build on his culture of quality leadership and development which we must accept by ensuring inclusiveness and discipline for all.
“That will make Nasarawa a convenient place for us all to live and earn a good living”.
For him, the DFS leadership pattern brings a cerebral position to unlock discrimination, disrespect, harassment and violence among political stakeholders.
“Dr. Faisal Shuaib’s mindset is a call for collective action to sustain the transformational leadership of Governor Abdullahi A. Sule. Largely, it will break barriers, build better and resilient Nasarawa State that is progressive and inclusive for me and you”.
Pundits are of the opinion that the state must decide on what is right to achieve the destined future of greatness which Nasarawa has been clamouring for, maintaining that to achieve that political stakeholders should provide a level-playing ground that will ensure equitable representation, unity and progress.
As the 2027 general elections are moving closer, the Nasarawa political stakeholders are expected to steer their attention to the state’s inclusive, disciplined and democratic development that unlocks constraints and enhances the actualisation of fortunes.