By Fuh
Ngwa
When our president took over power in what seemingly appeared to be a bloodless coup d’ etat,
Cameroonians failed to realize that this was a classical case of a
smart subordinate who can outshine the master. When his predecessor
realized what had happened and wanted to stage a come back, there was
that outburst of cry from the
populace not to touch the ‘God sent’ who then was as soft as the palm
of a newly born baby. Cameroonians equally failed to understand that
while praying for the best they have to prepare for the worst, for even
churches have lightning conductors.
Kakistocracy has replaced democracy in Cameroon.
Leaders cling to the past not that they love it but that they are
fearful of the present and terrified by the future. These are leaders
who have their egos very close to their positions while in power and are afraid to loose this ego because the position is no longer there. With all sorts of atrocities caused while in power they are afraid of the scale of justice.
The
events that preceded the modification of the National constitution
making the president sempiternal is of profound interest to me. It
shows that this smart guy has a good mastery of his subjects and can
toy with the National Constitution which to me is like a rally song
which can be adjusted to suit the theme of the rally. It
started as a confabulation and today, it is happening before our own very
eyes. He must be reminded that a child can play with the mother’s
breast and not with the father’s testicles.
'...Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone, you
can intimidate and win. Once it slips however, you are vulnerable and
will be attacked on all sides. Make your reputation unassailable.
Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they
happen. Meanwhile learn to destroy your enemy by opening holes in their
own reputations. Then stand aside and let the public opinion hang them...' * The SDF chairman suffered this during the last strike on fuel hike.
'...Coercion
creates a reaction that will eventually work against you. You must
seduce others into wanting to move in your direction. A person seduced
becomes your loyal pawn. The way to seduce others is to work on their
individual psychologies and weaknesses. Soften up the resistance by
working on their emotions, playing on what they hold dear and what they
fear...' *
The recent salary adjustment and arrest of some top ranking
officials fall under this callisthenic.
The
moment of victory is often the moment of greatest peril. In the heat of
victory, arrogance and over confidence can push you past the goal you
had aimed for. By going too far, you make more
enemies than you defeat. Do not allow success to go through your head
.There is no substitute for strategy and careful planning. Set a goal
and when you reach it, stop. I wonder whether our president ever had a
goal when he took over office. All I could remember then though a kid
was that he was personally going to supervise the tarring of the
Bamenda Ring road which today has not been tarred.
Fidel Castro of Cuba became president when Bill Clinton
was 11 years old. He thought he will stay there till the end of time.
Now he is sitting on the same position and sweating because of old age.
Our own Fidel Castro
is not sure of reaching his age. Maybe it could equally be added to
the constitution that he should not die. He is being supported by few
Cameroonians who have sold their consciences. They must be reminded
that the worst thing in the world is not sin but the denial of sin by
false consciences, for that attitude alone makes forgiveness impossible.
An
average Cameroonian drinks to drown his sorrows. He must be reminded
that sorrow knows how to swim. He who pursues a baby bird teaches it
how to fly. It is because of loyalty that the dog walks with its master
under the rain. Cameroonians should stand up or else they will fall
because of nothing.
* quotes are culled from '48 Laws of Power ' by Robert Greene
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