GOLDFISH IN A BOWL AND THE CHALLENGES OF PUBLIC OFFICE

 

GOLDFISH IN A BOWL 

AND THE CHALLENGES OF PUBLIC OFFICE

From the President to the Local Government Councilor, being a public figure is not just about the perks but the challenges too.

The Goldfish is a freshwater fish distinguished by its color. The luminescent gold color makes it visible no matter where it is, even in the dark. Hence the saying GOLDFISH HAS NO HIDING PLACE.

It is commonly kept as a pet, mostly because of its sheen. It is usually kept in an aquarium or even more commonly in a bowl and exhibited in a place where it is easily noticed. One can hardly sit in a room without observing every movement of the GOLDFISH IN A BOWL. It gets more attention than when in its natural habitat. Everyone admires it. In the bowl it doesn’t have to look for its own food. BUT it loses its freedom.

There are records of goldfish living between four to five decades in their natural habitat. Goldfish kept in a bowl, depending on the size of the bowl may live up to 4 years. With excellent care, in a filtered tank a goldfish may live up to 8years.

A man in public office is like a GOLDFISH IN A BOWL.

Despite the lucre, glamour and allure of public office the holder loses his privacy. He becomes a public figure. Things he could do un-noticed inter alia are now public consumption.

He is expected to be a model for the society, so his every action is scrutinized and criticized.

Discrete mischiefs and private indiscretions are no more excusable or pardonable for the man in public glare.

There are places he would have loved to be but his public figure status makes it taboo.

His speech must be measured because everything he says, no matter how flippant or flimsy, is taken as a policy statement. As a statesman he must measure the effect and acceptability of his statements before uttering them.

His appearance must also reflect his status. There are dress codes for every occasion. Deviation from and/or defiance of these set tenets is seen in bad light by the society.

While exercising his constitutional Freedom of Association, the kind of persons he associates or is seen with affects his image to a large extent.

Tolerance and diplomacy should be second nature to a man at the helm of affairs.

His relationship with his constituents should be guided by expectations for a life after office.

The reality that he can never revert to a completely private life should dawn on him.

Without observing these things and coming to terms with being a public figure, the man in public office easily loses face.

President Bola Tinubu is different from the Ashiwaju of Lagos. There are even some things he could get away with as Governor of Lagos State that he can't now as President and Commander-in-Chief. 

Governor Ademola Adeleke cannot do some things he used to do before government house.

Governor Seyi Makinde must jettison the private life he had as Engineer Seyi Makinde.

Barrister Sarafa Alii  has metamorphosed into Senator Alli.

They are all GOLDFISH IN A BOWL.

From the President to the Local Government Councilor, being a public figure is not just about the perks but the challenges too.

Have a lovely weekend folks.