Life And People
Ize-Iyamu As An Exemplar Of Civility -By Isaac Asabor
There is no denying the fact that the African Proverb that admonishes that “People should not answer the names their enemies call them” is unarguably finding expression in the life of Pastor Ize-Iyamu. The foregoing view cannot be farfetched as they labeled him as a cultist since 2016, and he has never lived as one. They said he is not a pastor and he has never lived like an unbeliever.
Since the drumbeat that heralded electioneering politics ahead of the upcoming general election in Edo State that is scheduled for September 19, 2020 assumed a staccato tempo, the only aspirant that has for the umpteenth times held me spellbound when I listened to him in the interviews he had granted the media is the gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Pastor Osaze Ize-Iyamu. No doubt, he has an oratorical prowess that is capable of arresting the attention of any of his listeners. What about the way he speaks? I usually see him as one that has a unique mannerism of speaking. As long as he responds to any question being asked, he will never insult anyone that his supporters felt has offended him. Without any iota of exaggeration, he unarguably speaks as if he is the one Pearl Strachan had in mind when he said, “Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.”
Without being facetious, he has stylishly endeared me to speaking in the same manner. This goes to show that he is a personality that is capable of inspiring the rest of us, particularly the youths. No doubt, many youths apparently look up to him. But as it is today, favorable perception about him is fast eroding. No thanks to the orchestrated campaign of calumny which members of the PDP in the state have resorted to as they erroneously think such strategy is their trump card.
Ize-Iyamu seems to have heard the admonition of Betty Eadie that says, “If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the awesome power of our words, we would prefer silence to almost anything negative. In our thoughts and words, we create our own weaknesses and our own strengths. Our limitations and joys begin in our hearts. We can always replace negative with positive. “
Seeing Ize-Iyamu through the eyes of the forgoing perspective, there is no denying the fact that since he was undeservedly vilified in the 2016 campaign that saw the emergence of Mr. Godwin Obaseki that he has tenaciously been exhibiting the mien that portrays him as a politician that has the idea that political civility is a necessary element of political discourse, one which is meant to emulate a kind of ideal courtroom politesse, and that it is a bourgeois conviction. Since then, he has been expressing the civility that can be said to uphold democratic standards and tame violent language, and are therefore considered hallmarks of respectability and, mostly importantly, of enlightenment.
There is no scintilla of falsehood for one to conclude in this context that this “model of civility” which Ize-Iyamu has all along been exhibiting remain a guiding brand of morality that can help to “cool hot passions” of citizenry by the time the electioneering comes to a boiling point.
To my view, his civility model is capable of restraining and adjudicating what is often characterized as being the savagery of political disobedience in Edo State. Political history in the State is replete with evidences that show that those ignored this standard witnessed material consequences that were both detrimental to them, the State and the people.
As I have been watching him from a distance through my mind’s eyes, I have been seeing him asking, “What would a kind, empathetic, compassionate leader in the Edo context look like? If the kinds of leaders we elect are a reflection of ourselves, what does this constant chest thumping say about us as a people?
We have time and again failed to proof that politics is not a “do-or-die” affair as we have continued to drive electioneering with mudslinging, character assassination and campaign of calumny.
At this juncture, it is expedient to boldly say that Ize-Iyamu is the right leader Edolites need to steer the ship of governance in the next political dispensation. His demonstration of leadership by example will no doubt help restore civility to our political process as many politicians and their followers in the state will emulate him, and through that get things done. There is no denying the fact that incivility has long been a problem in Edo, especially during electioneering politics. But alas! The civility which Ize-Iyamu has been demonstrating overtime has never been witnessed. When politicians posture, insult, and demagogue, what happens? Edolites tune out. Problems fester. Challenges go unmet. And our legacy that tells other Nigerians that “Edo-nor-dey-carry-last” that embraces exciting ideas and bold solutions diminishes.
There is no denying the fact that the African Proverb that admonishes that “People should not answer the names their enemies call them” is unarguably finding expression in the life of Pastor Ize-Iyamu. The foregoing view cannot be farfetched as they labeled him as a cultist since 2016, and he has never lived as one. They said he is not a pastor and he has never lived like an unbeliever. They said he is violent; but he has literarily been conducting himself in a manner that is reminiscent of a dove.
Without doubt, Edolites need peace and good goverance. Ize-Iyamu has no doubt been convincing Edolites; both at home and in diaspora that he is capable of bringing Peace leadership to the State when given the opportunity to lead from Osadebey Avenue. At this juncture, it is expedient to ask, “What is Peace leadership?” To advocates of peace, It is the mobilization of action for just change. When people are motivated to act individually and function collectively for the benefit of humanity and the planet, peace leadership is present. Central to peace leadership is a desire for inclusion and cohesion whereby individuals are enabled to live in liberty to their fullest potential, free from the oppression of powers who seek to wield dominance. Peace leadership therefore is focused on creating a positive peace, while including essential elements working against forces for violence and aggression, or negative peace. It is an integral process to understand individual leadership capacities, relationships with others and representatives groups, and the interrelated systems underlying interactions around the world. In this respect, peace leadership is much more than, what Einstein referred to as the “mere reduction of violence,” as it requires proactive, intentional practices to shift patterns of thinking, knowing, and doing in the face of strongly held beliefs and cherished ways of being.
