The Political Psychology Of A “Shadow Senator”

EMMANUEL SHADRACH

There is no time to waste in calling names or attempt to waste your time by defining who a “Shadow Senator” is. We must avoid any resemblance of academic exercise because this is simply res ipsa loquito scenario.

Kogi Central for the first time in history has “2 Senators”. One elected, the other “self appointed”. The self appointed shadow senator is by all means very loquacious, loud and lousy, exhibiting traits of “mother chickens”.

The following facts will reveal this shadow senator; you won’t miss the personae except you are a media dinosaur.

This shadow senator prior to the emergence of Governor Yahaya Bello antagonized his candidacy and openly preferred a man from the other side of the “divide”. Yet, she is a sudden latter day evangelist of emancipation of Kogi Central. Charity they say begins at home but does not begin at her home. Her hatred rekindled when by the divine arrangement GYB won, hence she could no longer hold her bitterness and displeasure.

GYB received violent attacks from her when he attempted to be at the forefront in redeeming Ajaokuta steel for the betterment of the citizenries. She tagged the efforts as attempted theft to steal the steel. The steel happens to be the only carrot she dangles before the hapless populace. So, the “mother chicken” syndromes continue. From then on, GYB becomes her target and she ceaselessly tagged him in anything condemnable.

Before the eloquent could muster “Jack”, she came with her head bowed chanting “Hail Mary” as she sneaked into the Party’s fold. The very Party whose GYB is the leader thereof. But the every keen observer knew that the old damsel had something sinister up her sleeve and not long, she echoed the clarion call of her people, the call only she heard, to come and serve as a “Senator”.

Outraged for not being able to manipulate the Party’s structure for her ambition, she became more hostile and vengeful and from then on, GYB become a “scapegoat” for all her political woes. Hence, you will hear her say, “Governor Yahaya Bello is killing and maiming all my supporters”, just only one man, killing everybody that calls her name. Her strategy is to go for the “big fish”, create perfect storm, appear as victim and gain public sympathy. This is her psychology.

Well, a shadow will always remain a shadow, nothing more and that is who a “shadow senator” is.

Emmanuel Shadrach writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.