One of the key tenets of the Idris Wase doctrine is to exhaust all means, be it political, economic or diplomatic, before aspiring for political offices. All leaders should, as expected, consider all options at their disposal before honing for political offices. Leaders act impulsively too often, making key decisions and shifting teams, people and organisations in a given direction without engaging in the requisite due diligence needed to adequately understand and evaluate alternative and potentially more optimal solutions. That is the difference between Hon Ahmed Idris Wase and the others in the race for the post of the Deputy Speaker of the Ninth House of Representatives. For our legislature, times are changing even as our entire polity is standing at the dawn of a new era. For President Muhammadu Buhari change agenda, government business and politics are not quite as usual. Creating the desirable new national order calls for experience, sacrifice and determination. In these times, it is all about what we can do, for Nigeria and not so much what the nation can do for us.
One man who stands true to the challenge of this new dawn is Ahmed Idris Wase, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Character. Hon Wase has shown an increasing obligation to his constituents and dedication to legislative performance. His show of ambition and strength to move the legislature ahead on a sustainable course of improvement is remarkable and attention grabbing.
Hon Ahmed Idris is a man with a larger than life image. He is a man who has been everywhere and into everything but never puts a foot wrong. I once read a piece which described him as a man of destiny. That is not far from the truth. Or what else could have moulded his personality, energy and resilience for the roles he would play in our society. There are few Nigerians who are like him, but among this few, Idris Wase stands out because of his calculated calmness and uncanny humility amidst the graces and grandeur of his life.
Whenever Hon Wase would have his say on any issue, they are usually burning, correct, true, and just. Words of an altruist who would rather society is growing progressively and better for the lots of the people whose responsibilities destiny has placed on him. Indeed. Reflecting on Hon Wase’s achievements both in his private and public life, the essence of the adages, deep rivers flow with silent majesty, shallow brooks make the most noise become visible.
Hon Wase is, inarguably, a distinguished honourable. His consistent sterling performance in his administrative career, admirable self-carriage and effective presence in the Nigerian National Assembly has earned him many prestigious national and international awards and accolades.
Recently the Northern Youth Advocacy for Excellence endorsed him for the House deputy speakership because of his constructive and pre-eminently positive attitude towards legislation and humanity.
He has himself to be a champion for liberal ideals, from his antecedent, three tenures in the lower house, marked by impressive membership of numerous important committees, then as now he is legislatively prolific, being purposive, mature and focused on the general good in his debates on the floor of the House.
Hon Wase in the National Assembly is intelligent, well-prepared, articulate and accessible to reason even in the face of sanity-threatening discourse on the floor. At a time when ability to shout and usage of high-faulting language seems to be the hallmarks of legislature, Hon Wase would keep a bemused countenance while making his points in an articulate yet economically eloquent manner, standing by his principles and altruistic spirit, he produces a calming influence in the House.
His loyalty and sync with the intents and ideals of the speaker, and moderating effects of his centrist opinion provide a stability as never before experienced in the Nigerian House of Representatives.
Hon Wase is a consummate politician and an accomplished leader admired and respected by all in his constituency and beyond for his live-changing values and passion for performance.
Despite all these, an alert observer is wont to see Hon Wase as a high-potential personality who will never linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfilment. For, indeed, resident in Wase’s high potential personality is a world of possibilities waiting to find vent and be channeled towards some great good for his home state of Plateau state in particular and for the nation at large.
Musawa writes from Abuja. 08119563564.
