Before the All progressives Congress (APC)
would be drenched in the foreseen downpour, I’ve thought it wise as a concerned
onlooker and citizen to set the record straight for the ruling party.
I previously did a piece titled ‘APC and her
kangaroo elective congresses’. In that very work, which frowned over the ugly
happenings within the scope of the APC during the just concluded – perhaps yet
to be completed – congresses of the party, I took time to advise the members of
the platform, particularly its leadership.
I was not unhappy when the APC graciously
emerged in 2013. The said mood was not unconnected with the notion that its
existence in the Nigeria’s political terrain would tremendously help to usher
in a wholesome opposition, thereby balancing the pedestal on which the
country’s polity stands.
The above candid belief was actually what
angered my temperament when the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) – then led by Prof. Attahiru Jega – was ostensibly denying the APC the
right to officially register as a political party, citing incoherent merging.
The unfortunate response of the electoral umpire, which resulted in a delayed
registration, seriously instigated my venom.
Anyone
who was keenly observing my reaction as at then might insinuate I was one of
the individuals that collapsed into the merger party. But my reaction, on the
contrary, was solely as a result of my long nurtured quest to witness a Nigeria
where the opposition would be reliable, viable, indefatigable and formidable.
Consequently,
the APC’s proposed registration eventually received a nod from the INEC. After
its registration, it was obviously seen by all concerned that, truly, the long-awaited
rival to the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had surfaced to the
delight of patriotic Nigerians.
Owing to its unparalleled popularity
coupled with overwhelming change mantra, the APC conspicuously ousted the PDP
from the Nigeria’s seat of power via keenly contested polls. Though since the
APC came on board as a ruling party, there has been series of ups and downs
towards ushering in the exact governance it promised the electorate prior to
its emergence, the people had apparently chosen to remain patient and
optimistic pending when their overall desire would be duly attended to.
The APC had thus far refused to be marred by
the unending criticisms and condemnations from the opposition occasioned by
perceived bad governance. It is, however, shocking to note that internal politics
is a factor that’s likely to mar the ruling party.
Within the past few weeks, the members of the
APC in various quarters have publicly showcased that if apt measure isn’t
taken, the party might soonest be headed for ‘Rwanda’. Emergence of this eyesore
smacks of danger for not just the party but anyone who genuinely means well for
the Nigerian state.
The
downpour foreseen with the aid of my panoramic view, which is liable to set in
due to the apparent lack of internal democracy that recently ensued in the APC,
may end up consuming the party if its leadership refused to put its acts
together for the overall good of the organization. It seriously beats my psyche
when I see or hear the party’s leaders, who are supposed to be concerned about
way forward, indulge themselves in self-deceit.
It’s quite appalling when realized that one at
the helm of affairs isn’t worried about the misdoings in his territory. It’s
indeed a shame to see a group of persons, whom were entrusted with certain
responsibilities, participate in frivolities. It’s mind-boggling to observe
that when we are required to tell ourselves that all isn’t well, we’re rather
busy communicating to the world that nothing actually went wrong.
After the ward, LG and state congresses
that were obviously characterized by irregularities, some stalwarts in the APC
who were meant to be deeply troubled by the anomaly, were instead seen in
different quarters telling the press that the party members had proven to be
united, hence ready to retain power come 2019. How do you reconcile this?
Notwithstanding, the party still has
chances of putting its house in order. Before it is drenched in the avoidable
downpour, I must seize this medium to notify its leaders at various levels that
self-deceit has killed millions of individuals than diseases and accidents did,
hence the compelling need to squarely face the reality headlong.
As the APC witnesses her elective
national convention come June 23, 2018, it’s therefore inconsequential to
reiterate that if the needful isn’t done before the outing, it will still be an
exercise in futility. It would have been splendid and acceptable to ensure that
the numerous injuries incurred during the congresses are addressed prior to the
conduct of the awaited convention. It would be preposterous to hold a
convention while some states are currently recognizing parallel executive
council in various levels.
For the APC to regain its strength, political
wise, it’s harmful for its various members to come up with ideas that are in
furtherance of their personal interests rather than that of the party. Think
about it!
Comrade Fred Nwaozor
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers
_________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador
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