The other day in church, the preacher delivered a thought-provoking sermon on the personality of the Biblical King David. It struck me as an expose on the character of contemporary Nigerian politics.. And indeed, David is a popular political hero in the scriptures whose testimony cannot be easily ignored by both aspiring and established Nigerian politicians.- It’s intriguing that God appeared to have also acted like a Nigerian, not like an American. He zoned the position of King to the tribe of Judah and further micro-zoned it to the lineage of Jesse. The election was conducted transparently by the prophet of God after proper screening of the sons of Jesse present and those in diaspora. By the time the result was announced, it was clear that God’s criteria for leadership was not necessarily that of man.
- The essential element of surprise was evoked hence the celebration was also spontaneous. This aspect of David’s story gives hope to tens of thousands of young politicians struggling alone with a good heart but without wealth, cognate experience and godfathers.
- David’s reign was authorized as a Theocracy at the time the nation of Israel was also experimenting with Tyranny. Similarly Nigeria’s political system is a democracy, but as Plato amply demonstrates in his REPUBLIC, democratic leaders invariably end up being tyrants. Like almost all Nigerian political leaders, David had a godfather whom he served faithfully and unconditionally. With a cabinet of prophets, intellectuals and soldiers, David’s administration was characterized by a complex web of crisis stemming both from within his loins and in the outer spheres of the polity.
- He was sagacious, but also bloodthirsty. A quintessential soldier, a lover of the three Ws: war, women and wine, David was like many Nigerian politicians, adept in state craft, and also in scandals. His licentiousness led him to snatch the only wife of his loyal servant and to murder him as well. Yet he had no shame. He would join the faithful in worshipping God in the presence of the Ark and even out-dance them in a his rare display of royal twerks.
- It is possible to imagine that if this incorrigible sinner were operating in a democracy like Nigeria’s he would surely have a dossier with the EFCC. Yet he could have the audacity of the anointed one to change all rules and protocols in his favour. He could walk into any hallowed church with his bevy of beauties, soldiers, DSS officials and protocol staff, and all proceedings could come to a halt in recognition of this distinguished son of Jesse. The preachers could also cite him as a sure candidate for heaven having so generously and regularly contributed to church funds.
- If King David were a Nigerian governor, he could have been one of such governors that pilfer with federal government allocations meant for the local governments. He was mean, brutal and greedy enough to overlook the misery of the poor. His harlem of beautiful wives and concubines, like the bumper federal allocations to the state government, would still not have been sufficient for his greed. King David in his voyeurism and uncontrolled libido, still would have sought for the Uriah’s share and also murdered him in the process. I sincerely weep for the demise of the third tier of government in Nigeria.
- I imagine that David was born earlier than his time. He definitely belongs to our generation. His gumption, his temerity, his godliness and sinfulness are all the hallmark of his 21st Century Nigerian counterparts. I admire him more for realism than his spiritualism.
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