THOUGHTS OF FEMOLAD: POLITICAL BRAGGING RIGHTS
Bragging is excessively proud and boastful talk about one's achievements or possessions.
Many people flaunt whatever they have so audaciously that they often irk others. Some do it impulsively as a way of celebration without intending to mock or intimidate others. A footballer's ecstatic jubilation when a goal is scored amounts to nothing but celebration. Fans are different. They brag. Football fans are some of the worst braggarts.
Famous pugilist Muhammed Alli was called the big mouth. His bragging worked for him while it lasted. It however made enemies out of many of his opponents. He got too many bruises as a result, which has an effect in his old age.
Bragging rights is a temporary position of ascendancy in a closely contested rivalry. Many times the braggart gets so carried away he forgets the tenure of his braggadocio.
The object of his brag may be temporary and neither sustainable nor eternal. The ecstasy soon pales away and the enemies made during the bragging rights cannot be easily unmade. The haughty braggart is soon humbled.
I was at a five-day Scrabble tournament some years ago. One guy led the park from day one. He got so swollen headed he wasn't talking to others. He bragged to whoever cared to listen about his prowess. His bragging rights lasted for three days. He started dropping on the fourth day and eventually didn't play in the finals.
Bragging rights are temporary. It lasts only for the moment. It is more discerning to play down your bragging rights until the final victory is attained.
Braggarts exhibiting their bragging rights can be found in every facet of life. They are moved by temporary victories so much that they lose focus, throw jibes at people and are soon humiliated.
This is a season of Political Bragging Rights.
In the hurly-burly horse trading preceding an election, there are incidences of small victories. In celebrating the little ascension, bragging rights are exhibited. The seeming and temporary winner loses sight of the desired ultimate victory.
After winning my party primaries about 20 years ago, my supporters went all over town taunting my opponents. I tried to stop them to no avail. I lost the election badly. The euphoria was short-lived.
Many brag after edging out or out manoeuvring others in the pre-election ball game and instead of making friends with those who lost out, go about town (like my supporters) with their bragging rights.
A discerning political mind will not howl down on his rivals in this season of small victories. He would rather extend a hand of friendship for the future. Even after winning the elections, he should realize that every political office has a tenure and there is always a life after office.
Fans and supporters make enemies for their principals by the uncouth and unethical braggadocio. Unfortunately the Ogas too get carried away with their sycophancy.
Such Political Bragging Rights are temporary and jeopardize the chances to brag right in the final victory. All political victories have a tenure.
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| Femi Ladapo (Femolad) writes from Ibadan Nigeria |
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