Bobi presidential bid: Let’s not see old wine poured into new bottle
Perhaps there are worse things than not knowing about fiscal policy. Like not caring that you don’t know about fiscal policy. So that when you are called out for not knowing about fiscal policy, you go on the defensive and sing a song about it. Like, “Ha! I sing much better than I speak!”
Songs are great entertainment for sure, but should we then expect the State-of-Nation address to be set to music?
While keeping a great distance between myself and the politics of the day, I am still curious about the default reaction to any criticism of Bobi Wine. Clearly, there is a group of people for whom he is nothing short of the ‘Chosen One’.
One must tread carefully around their messiah, he has been ring-fenced off from any scrutiny. Just saying his name with anything less than absolute reverence is a quick ticket to political and social purgatory. Oh well, here goes.
Celebrity supersedes reason. Once you drink from the poisoned chalice of sycophancy, you must abandon your instincts and judgement to defend the indefensible. The TV presenter was deemed ‘biased and elitist’ because he dared to ask someone who has declared his run for presidency about fiscal policy. Should he have kept his line of inquiry to more relevant topics like fashion and music?
This is not a fairy tale that must only end well, with the hero and his bride safely ensconced in State House. Unless you are thinking of a coronation and not an election, the call to be prepared is strident in its urgency – for everyone with an eye on the prize. We the people, are ready to be cajoled, persuaded and serenaded by charismatic politics for a change.
It is similarly disheartening to watch the hug-fest of yellow shirts at their so-called political retreat, which is where people go to shut out the noise of any other voice but their own. It seems like the epitome of civic duty at present is to enhance our wardrobes with red, blue, yellow or green vestments. There is no need for any more conversation once you have made your choice – each colour speaks for itself.
I see the political landscape of 2021 as a colourful spectacle, but not in the sense of a carnival. Chaotic scenes of throngs dressed in the vibrant colours of their chosen caste chasing each other down myopic paths of ideology. Thus, intoxicated by the perfume of their idols, they shall stifle any criticism or disagreement, because winning at any cost is all that matters.
It is true Bobi Wine is an enigma of sorts; one can even be seduced by the unlikely story of his meteoritic rise from minstrel to cult figure. Perhaps, he has a fair chance at attaining the highest office in the land – and why not?
The only fly in the soup, and it is a fat one, is the sense of entitlement that is creeping into every conversation about him. The currency of a legitimate election is a vote earned, not stolen or coerced. If this is really about change, let us not see old wine poured into a seemingly new bottle.
Ms Barenzi is a communications professional and writer
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