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IN A POLITICAL SPHERE FULL OF UNCERTAINTIES: THE ONLY SURE THING IS “ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE INTENTIONS...By YAKUBU HUSEIN PUMAYA

YAKUBU HUSEIN PUMAYA

As a fresher, I got attracted to any aspirant who was bold enough to speak to me. In my mind, the best form of bravery was the ability to speak to strangers; that was what I considered to be the hallmark of a true leader. If more than one aspirant spoke to me, I considered the one who was more fluent to be the best candidate. In effect, my opinion of whom a good leader is, was based on his/her ability to speak good English. 

When I was a fresher, I remember telling one of my seniors that I thought a particular candidate was going to win. He asked me why, and I answered proudly, “because he was the first to come to my class and he spoke perfect English”. He laughed at me and said, “Small boys are young”. 

After 3 years on campus, it has become clear that I was indeed small and young. I have learnt that my metric for choosing leaders was totally unreasonable and childish. I have made choices I have regretted due to my apparent naivety and ignorance. Our current Level 100s are likely to be found in the same position I found myself in. 

Dear fresher, I can’t really tell you what you should look out for in a candidate, which is very sad.  All candidates will come with good looking promises; but, the fact remains that it is *only God who can judge intentions*. You can’t say, from looking at the face of a person and know if he/she really intends to fulfil his/her promises or not. There have been times that we thought that candidates who embarked on projects during the electioneering process were going to live up to expectations once they were given the mantle of leadership; but, that hasn't been the case. In fact, embarking on projects even as an aspirant has failed to be a pointer for how well one may perform when voted into power. It has happened and failed severally. 

So in truth, even as a final year student, I can’t tell you what to look out for in a candidate. I used several approaches and none of them worked for me. Who knows, they may work for you. I have taken part of the blame for choosing not-so-good leaders over the years. You should be ready to take the blame and suffer the consequences of your choices as well. You shall also share in the glory if you actually make a good choice. 

What I am saying is simple: the political atmosphere is full of uncertainty. Make a choice, and be prepared to bear the consequences or bask in the fruits it bears. Remember: *Only God can judge intentions*

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*YAKUBU HUSEIN PUMAYA*

*PRESIDENT: UDS DEBATE SOCIETY*

*SPEAKER: UDS YOUTH PARLIAMENT*

*CHAIRMAN: RELAMSA ACADEMIC COMMITTEE*

*COORDINATOR: AFRICAN STUDENTS FOR LIBERTY*

huseinya1622@uds.edu.gh

0242123910