Opinion I As Political Parties Conduct Primaries

AS POLITICAL PARTIES CONDUCT PRIMARIES

        

The last time I checked, we had almost gotten to the peak of the show, politics wise. Little wonder, you could easily spot even a-day-old child ‘analyzing’ political trending.

         

It’s not anymore news that soonest the various political parties domiciled in the Nigerian polity, Imo State in particular, will keenly conduct their respective primary polls towards nominating their flag-bearers for different political positions as regards the fast approaching 2019 general elections.

         

In Imo, the Eastern Heartland, we could observe a few key parties that are strongly in the race, particularly for the office of the governor. The political groups in question will apparently leave no stone unturned with a view to ensuring that the Douglas House is duly captured by them come May, next year.

         

I’ve personally looked inwards and realized that, in politics, you would invariably observe the serious, less-serious and most serious aspirants. Among these classes, one can easily comprehend where the aspirant that truly wants to acquire victory belongs.

         

In the same vein, I’ve in my capacity as an analyst and activist ascertained that we equally have same classes of political parties in the field of play. A few of them is too serious, some are not, whilst most of them are merely passing by just to be noticed by the spectators.

         

Lest I digress; this piece is informed by the compelling need to aptly and thoroughly educate and advise the parties in the race on what are expected of them as they participate in the forthcoming primaries in accordance with the mandate of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

          

As the teeming aspirants slug it out in their respective parties, they are bound to acknowledge some pertinent facts towards helping them understand how to conduct themselves at the awaited polls. The about-to-be disclosed fancy facts would enable them stick strictly to the rules as long as the exercise lasts.

         

First, they must take into cognizance that, in their various parties, they are not unlike family members. Acknowledging that they are members of a given indivisible family will enable them play by the rules; it would make them not to indulge in any act that could cause their division; it would enable them to see themselves as siblings.

         

Any discerning political party at the moment ought to be focused on how to compete favourably and vehemently with the other existing ones, hence the need to concentrate on indulging in acts that would strengthen their muscles and tentacles.

         

We must note that if a party that’s really out to participate in the 2019 polls end up dividing itself, it would definitely be to the advantage of its rivals. This is the reason the members of any party must not give any room that’s liable to create factions among them.

         

In view of the above, every serious, or very serious, party is required to conduct its primary in harmony and mature manner. From my point of view, even if an election would be conducted among the aspirants of a particular position, a primary election is supposed to be a consensus thing. ‘Consensus’, in the sense that, before the primary poll is conducted, the overall members are meant to know or foresee who would eventually acquire the ticket.

          

In other words, the primary poll ought to be a mere formality in order to fulfill the directive or laws of the party. The incoming flag-bearer of any party should be someone who’s widely accepted by all, or the majority, in the organization. Hence, the ticket shouldn’t on any account be given to an unpopular candidate or a person who’s not wanted by the party members.

         

It suffices to say that imposition of candidate shouldn’t be anyway an option if the party is genuinely prepared to remain united and indivisible. Imposition has overtime bedevilled the wholesomeness of several political parties in the past, hence the need for the present ones to learn from history toward averting similar cancerous mistake.

           

I’m looking forward to seeing a society, especially in Imo, where all members of a certain party would remain in such party till after the ‘secondary’ (main) elections are conducted regardless of the outcome of their various primary elections. The truth is that, if any primary poll is well conducted, the members of the concerned party would have no single reason to defect to other parties.

         

Dumping a party for others is usually not unconnected with grievances nurtured by the defectors. If this assertion holds water, then I see no reason the various political parties would not put their house in order with a view to ensure that there won’t be any room for any member to nurture grief after the primary poll has been held.

          

It is on this premise I’m appealing to these political parties to endeavour not to expose their dirty lilies in the public. They, therefore, ought to conduct themselves as brothers and sisters from one mother, and not like the one we witness in a polygamous home.

          

It would be very nice and apt for the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act to recognize a clause that would forbid any member of a given political party defecting to another after the conduct of their primaries, until the main election has taken place.

        

Curtailing such unwanted act among the politicians via implementation of a strict policy will certainly go a long way in sanitizing our political arena in its entirety. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a rights activist, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

      

Analysis I NASS' Recess: The Intrigues And Intricacies

NASS’ RECESS: THE INTRIGUES AND INTRICACIES

        

On 24^th July this year, the National Assembly (NASS) – encompassing the Green and Red Chambers – embarked on its two-month annual recess in accordance with the mandate of the constitution. Consequently, the federal lawmakers are expected to resume their legislative functions on 25^th September 2018.

         

Penultimate week, contrary to the ongoing request to call off the recess, some members of the NASS pleaded with the leadership of the joint chamber to elongate the duration of the vacation till the second week of October or thereabouts so they can participate fully and actively in the awaited primary elections of their respective political parties.

          

The demand of these legislators has generated mixed feelings cum reactions among several citizens in various quarters. In some parts, some Nigerians are opining that the lawmakers are up to something fishy.

         

Similarly, some others are of the view that the representatives, particularly those of the extraction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), are still jittery over the alleged quest of the ruling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – to impeach the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki owing to his recent defection from the latter to the former.

         

I initially intended to scold those who were trying to misinterpret the essence of the plea, not until I recalled that the current outlook of the country’s political trending has made many to become sceptical over genuine motive of most Nigerians in various positions of authority.

         

It’s not anymore news that the citizenry have begun to see every avowal made, or action taken, by an average Nigerian politician as selfish. This manner of reaction isn’t unconnected with the fact that many of our leaders at all levels have refused to convince us that they truly mean well for the general interest of the people. This is the reason every statement or request coming from any political office holder would definitely be misinterpreted in some quarters.

         

If not, I personally see nothing wrong with the call for elongation of the ongoing recess. It’s obvious that except for the office of the President, every other primary election invariably takes place at the various states across the federation.

         

For instance, the primary poll regarding the position of a certain slut in a state’s House of Assembly would be conducted at the headquarters of the affected state constituency or Local Government Area (LGA).

         

Same measure is applicable to a slut concerning the Federal House of Representatives or the Senate, as the case might be, whose primaries are bound to take place at the headquarters of the concerned federal constituency or senatorial district, respectively. And for the office of the Governor, the primary is meant to be held at the state secretariat of the party in question, which is usually situated at the state’s capital territory.

          

Against this backdrop, since virtually all of these serving federal lawmakers are seeking for one position or the other, it wouldn’t be bad for them to be presently resident in their respective states of origin towards enabling them concentrate adequately on the incoming primaries. They are equally in need of reasonable time to ensure victory during the impending internal rivalry.

          

Even those among them who aren’t aspiring for any post of authority are expected to be well informed in order not to be taken unawares by the party leadership of their various localities, especially now some state chapters of most parties are clamouring for indirect primaries.

         

The worst thing that would happen to a leader in any organization is to be taken unawares or for granted. Hence, it’s noteworthy that any iota of vacuum created by any of these legislators in their respective party structures could warrant the party leadership to overlook their membership or impact on the group.

          

So, at such a critical and highly sensitive time like this, being physically present is the only way a practising politician could remain relevant and participate actively in any activity to be carried out by his or her party. Politics is a game of interest and yours can only be wholly defended when you are fully involved in the game.

         

However, my fear is that there are two crucial issues of national interest eagerly awaiting the return of these revered lawmakers to the hallowed chambers, namely: the supplementary budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections seeking approval and the just vetoed Electoral Act Bill, as amended. These two documents are unarguably earnestly pleading for speedy legislative attention.

          

If a comparison is supposed to be drawn in such situation, even an imbecile would concur with the assertion that a national interest is meant to override a personal one. It’s on this premise I wish to state that, if the legislators really mean well for the Nigerian state at large, they aren’t required to be told that there’s no excuse that ought to warrant elongation of the holidays.

          

Since every sane and rational Nigerian is looking forward to seeing that free, fair and credible polls are holistically conducted come 2019, it’s needless to reiterate that the recess itself is a threat to our common goal, hence deserves to be truncated in earnest. Think about it!   

Comrade Nwaozor, a policy analyst, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

                

TechDeck I On Lagos' New Building Tech

ON LAGOS’ NEW BUILDING TECH

         

The Lagos State government under the watch of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode recently introduced a new building technology towards addressing various ongoing anomalies in the state’s housing sector as well as erecting a structure fast and easily.

         

It’s noteworthy that the emergence of the technique was as a result of the colossal housing deficit recorded thus far in the state. Survey indicates that over two million losses had been recorded across the length and breadth of the Nigeria’s biggest city.

         

It’s not anymore news that building collapse alongside allied matters has in recent times been a plight for public discourse within the shores of the Nigerian building industry at large. It suffices to assert that the decadence is ubiquitous.

         

However, it seems that of Lagos is on the rampage compared to other states, perhaps owing to the fact that the territory consists of highest number of erected structures coupled with the deplorable atmospheric condition faced by its residents.

          

In his speech to newsmen, the State’s Commissioner for Housing – Mr. Gbolahan Lawal – disclosed that the new technology was already being used in its ongoing housing estate at Idale in Badagry and would further be deployed in the site situated at Imota in Ikorodu, in a bid to achieving the government’s motive of delivering 2,000 houses across the cosmopolitan city.

         

Mr. Lawal, who equally disclosed that the technique ensures construction of bungalow within 48 hours, stated therein “We want to see how to go into the manufacturing of houses. We make it seamless and produce about 100 units in a month. We have three companies; one is already at site.”

         

He went ahead to opine that investment in the housing sector usually have a multiplier effect on the economy as he informed that various gadgets and accessories such as tiles, electronics, water cum electricity meters, mattresses, TV subscription, in addition to menial jobs for artisans, are tied to construction of houses.

         

I’m glad that Lagos as an over-populated state could eventually arrive at a point where erection of formidable structures is considered as priority and could be done with ease by the builders.

          

It has overtime been insinuated in some quarters that the Nigerian polity was yet to embrace building technology to the fullness considering the level of quackery and mediocrity invariably witnessed in the sector. But it appears the Lagos government is about to disabuse some persons of the notion that Nigeria lacks the apt resources to get it right.

         

Nevertheless, before we celebrate in haste, it would be pertinent for the government to critically consider some factors with a view to ensuring that the newly discovered technique doesn’t fade away in no distant time and is fully domesticated in the state.

         

We aren’t unaware that the firms contracted to handle the job are mainly foreign, hence the need for every discerning mind to worry about the future of the initiative. Though the housing commissioner had disclosed that some indigenous workers are being trained in the technique and process of construction, I’m of the strong view that there’s need to institutionalize it.

         

Institutionalizing the said application would enable our teeming professionals, and the prospective ones, to passionately key into the process. Consequently, our indigenous designers and builders would be in charge of the initiative thereby helping to greatly boost the economy. So, Lagos can take a lead in this aspect.

          

Similarly, there’s a compelling need to establish a strict policy to guide the housing sector in the state. Mr. Lawal had notified the public that a new housing policy aimed at tackling the state’s housing deficit had been drafted. Such a policy, which ought to be implemented as soon as possible, must bear every clause needed to address all forms of lapse currently observed in the state’s building sector.

          

The policy, expected to be designed with the aid of well-experienced and reliable town planners, needs to enshrine reasonable penalty for anyone guilty of violating the development control laws. It’s in record that Lagos was the first state to create a full-fledged Housing Ministry in 1999 because of the priority it accorded shelter, hence such prioritization must be fully upheld by the awaited policy.

         

It’s also time we started recognizing the use of materials like wood, clay and bamboo in the construction of standard structures, either residential or commercial. We have been notified that the Lagos Housing Ministry had in years back experimented on the use of the aforementioned items but the availability and speed of delivery was the reason it dropped the proposed initiative.

         

It’s amusing for one to assert that the required wood for building construction is unavailable, or can’t be found in abundance, in the country. All we need to do is to raise the profile of timber-based architecture toward promoting the demand. Everything centres on adequate recognition of the technique in question and the onward quest to deploy its lofty use.  

         

In addition, we must begin to promote afforestation by assigning grievous punishment to unapproved deforestation via viable policies. By so doing, the needed woods would become more accessible and cheap than concrete and bricks, thus constructing with the former would be done swiftly.

         

As we congratulate Gov. Ambode for recording this feat, he and his team must equally be urged to think deeply towards making advanced building technologies stand the test of time in the state, so that, other states can borrow a leaf from them. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

______________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056 

Twitter: @mediambassador