Patronage is among the least gains of political participation. Some believe that merit-based political appointment, as opposed to discretionary ones, are associated with higher economic growth, lower corruption, and better bureaucratic performance.

But patronage, the discretionary hiring of people to government positions, does not necessarily lead to the selection of unqualified appointees if politicians seek out competence and talent. After a victory at the polls, a politician has incentives to look among the people that worked for it’s victory for the best and the brightest, for those who can ensure government competence and the fulfillment of her party’s desired policies

Meanwhile, it a common phenomenon in this clime to ignore the efforts of loyal party members to the advantage of perception profile building professionals who circumvents the lots of genuine and equally qualified party loyalist.

While the party members are busy running around to ensure a victory at the poll, the saboteur sect position themselves in a vantage seat, reeling out false narratives of professionalism of their desired coveted position to the admiration of elected leadership.

It is sad that this is made easy for them to achieve due to the concentration of equally qualified party members on election victory. The leadership whom themselves are overwhelmed with false narratives and deception gets attracted to a well managed profile to short-change their loyalist.

Come May 29, the next chapter of leadership will take off and all that can be hopeful for is an all inclusive and rewarding government for sustainability of the party. The members of the party has shown their loyalty, some have even lost their life, some their properties and jobs to ensure victory of a leader they believe in. It is only just for leadership to reward loyalty in building trust of the future.

It’s a prayer that everyone who has worked for the victory of their party be rewarded. The trend in political patronage is highly discouraging.

~O.T Alphonso