Opinion II APC, PDP, Et al And Their Intriguing Antics

APC, PDP, ET AL AND THEIR INTRIGUING ANTICS

         

The last time I checked, the various existing political parties in Nigeria – particularly those domiciled in Imo – were conspicuously displaying in the Eastern Heartland all sorts of antics that could best be described as melodrama. The platforms in question included the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), among others.

         

Whenever it is rumoured that a certain bigwig of the PDP or the APC, or any other one, has defected from the party to another, if confronted or tried to verify, the affected politician would refute it, adding that light and darkness have no meeting point. In his or her opinion, the aforementioned natural factors are not unlike two parallel lines that possess nothing in common.

         

In other words, on the average, a staunch PDP member would tell you that the other party – the APC for instance – is meant for monsters or what have you, and vice-versa. Each time you observe such persons speak in the public domain, they don’t relent in notifying, or perhaps misinforming, the members of the gathering that the men in the other platform(s) are nothing but just bunch of elements seeking for whom to devour.

         

When I see them talk in such an intriguing manner, I can’t help but place myself in a laughable mood. In most cases, I would continue laughing till I’m being rescued by a messiah. You know, sometimes laughter could kill just as weeping could. In such case, I would keep asking myself; who are truly the monsters and who actually are the saints? Sure, my candid inquiry deserves a sincere answer from any concerned creature within.

         

The scenario, which has proceeded unabated, becomes more amusing when they are involved in a seeming campaign outing. Though we are not unaware that the campaign ban is yet to be lifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), they are on a daily basis seen in one corner or the other showcasing what appears like a manifesto. Whenever they indulge in such ‘colourful’ outing, instead of concentrating on a mission statement, you would see them frantically condemning the other politicos or political parties. It has unwittingly become a custom among them that they can never be deterred by any atmosphere whenever they are in the mood.

         

Two weeks back, a good friend of mine who happens to be an ardent member of the APC visited me at my place of residence in Owerri on a friendly ground. Inadvertently, our discussion delved into politics. On his part, the PDP was already dead and had long been laid to rest, hence the need for the electorate to focus only on the APC, which he proudly addressed as the only living party at the moment. According to the view of the buddy, the PDP lacked the power to resurrect, thus there was no how a buried entity could compete with the living.

          

Thereafter, seventy-two hours ago precisely, I ran into a strong and old member of the PDP. In his passionate expression, he unequivocally stressed that the APC would definitely go into extinction come 2019 irrespective of the circumstance. In his words, coming to power of the said party in 2015 was occasioned by a slight mistake made by the PDP. He then went further to inform that such error would be well corrected, and vowed that it would never be repeated again. When asked by my humble self which area the APC was getting it wrongly, he replied that there was no single aspect the party had done well.

          

It becomes so fascinated when realized that these sets of individuals were once under one canopy, political wise. It shouldn’t be news that in one way or the other a given member of the APC had at a time being noted as a member or an affiliate of the PDP. It suffices to assert that virtually every member of the current ruling party is, directly or indirectly, a defected member of the PDP.

          

If the above analysis holds water, then noting the PDP as a family of monsters simply literally implies that the APC members are equally ‘monsters’. On the other hand, describing the latter as a home of darkness or whatsoever also signifies that the former begets darkness or as the case may be. Please, let’s not get the critique twisted; I’m only trying to create the impression that these whole people are all products of a certain background, thus ought to possess only one type of blood running in them.

        

 The summary of all is that, the best thing that would happen to the electorate in the Nigerian political sphere especially that of Imo is to concentrate on the individuality of anyone aspiring to occupy any political position rather than laying emphasis on the party he/she is coming from. Acknowledging that they all possess similar idiosyncrasies, background wise, it is therefore of no need to continue debating on the differences that lie between the various political platforms.

         

So, as the 2019 is fast approaching, it would be wise and ideal for Imolites to look inwards toward ensuring that no iota of mistake, let alone blunder, is made or committed in the long run. We can’t afford to blame ourselves after the deed is done. It is thus needless to state that the ball outrightly lies in our court. Soonest, we will be given another opportunity to take a decision, and we are expected to utilize such awaited golden chance judiciously or ought to be prepared to face the damn consequences of our mistake thereof.

           

As each of the political families continue to claim to be the home of the living saints, it’s obvious that the about to emerge 2018 would be an era when the electorate would in practical terms inform us on those that deserve to be addressed as monsters or saints, as might be the case. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador