Look at the situation in the Nigerian politics of today, the behavioural patterns of our politics, can you reach conclusion on what the outcome of 2015 election will be?
Already, the Americans are prognosising Hilary Clinton and Chris Christie for their next election, what are we in Nigeria doing? Even, when you try to objectively assess, based on what is happening, our – all too know – critics punch holes in one’s submissions, based on sentiments and other bias.
We will not stop making our analysis known to the majority of Nigerians, who deserve to be truly informed, instead of the abracadabra, that we now witness.
The Daily Post of January 25, posted a comment by Shekarau, ex-governor of Kano state, with Bafarawa, ex-Sokoto state governor in attendance; ” A few months ago, we were calling the PDP evil, and now, we are calling on the same set of people we called evil to come and join us”.
It is clear that our politicians are taking the gullibility of Nigerians for granted, If not, why do the people who constitute the new APC, expect us to look at them from a perspective different from the PDP, when the antecedents of the new APC memberships are well known? We were used to an ACN party, with very radical views; focussed, disciplined and people friendly. The performance of their governors – first Fashola and later Oshiomhole – also helped to place the party as a true beacon of hope for Nigerians. In fact, Fashola’s government was a reference point, for all states in the federation, Delta state, a PDP state, sent representatives severally, to Lagos, to learn a thing or two about how Lagos state run its government successfully. And, this brings me to the point that; you do not need to be at the centre before you can positively impact on the people. Awolowo did it with the Action Group of the western region, Ahmadu Bello did same in the north with NPC.
Presently, Fashola is doing it in Lagos, same with Oshiomhole in Edo state. What I had expected from the ACN party, is a vigorous push – using its strength in the media and net working advantage – for a truly federated state, where each state controls its resources and give a percentage to the centre. I expected them, to fight for the shrinking of the over bloated federal government port-folio, and they would have gained more support from the truly progressives across the country but now, that opportunity is lost, with the uncalled for merger with other reactionary parties. We do not know what the ACN stands for these days, surely not a progressive party. The situation is even made worse, when we consider the fact that the ACN was gradually gaining follower ship, from states outside the core western region; Delta, Anambra, Kwara, Kogi, and Benue were already building reasonable support base for the ACN, all the gains have come to nought.
The CPC party, from the way they operated, did not hide their ethnic and religious bias. They presented someone as presidential candidate, who did not consider it crucial to visit the south for campaigns. A party that is populated by, very extreme tribal and regional bigots, prone to violence at the slightest provocation, as they did during the 2011 elections, who felt that the state must burn if they do not win and which turned out to be their greatest undoing. How do you reconcile the ACN, with its band of intellectuals, with such a party?
The third leg in the APC alliance, that is the ANPP, has never been known for progressive politics, they have always been there, conservative in the manner of the NPC of the 60s. Their strongholds have always been in the north, they do not command any national follower ship. Bafarawa tried to move it to another level, but he was frustrated out of the party and he had to move to DPP, where he also, has been short changed.
That was and still is, the situation in the APC. We were still figuring, how they can make a success of this union, when the situation in the PDP imploded.
It was therefore a surprise, to see the APC that is still battling with the challenge of integrating diverse interest groups, running after dissidents of the PDP. It is unbelievable. The people you have presented to us, as not good enough, you are going in their midst to fish for membership, some of them are even being wooed, to become leaders and top candidates, for the new party. It is a shame! Our politicians are all the same. It is a pity, that innocent Nigerians have been brain washed and are now made to hold extreme views. In the buses, along the streets, anywhere people gathered, you witness arguments and fightings, over nothing, because of the activities of our politicians. Look at the number of people, that have been wasted or killed, how many of them are real politicians? So many innocent lives are being lost daily and our politicians do not seem to care, the other day, one of them – Senator Abe – was hurt, the whole world was forced to take notice. He was flown abroad same day. The people are dying, while our politicians are smiling to the banks, who is the fool?
Sahara reporters tweeted Hon. Gbajabiamila on saturday 25th January, saying; ” I have about 20 different allowances”. When it comes to their allowances, the politicians forget the party, each one of them belong, they are all united – like cultists – in this.
This is a man who was ‘ dye in the wool’ ACN and now APC, angling to be the majority leader amongst the representatives. Not one of them, has come out to appeal to their colleagues, to step down on the bleeding, the National Assembly is causing the nation, even career workers in both the government and private sectors, do not have half the number of allowances our politicians have appropriated to themselves.
It is time for us – the people – to see through the wool. If you follow these politicians without thinking, you will end up like the foolish fly, that followed the dead body to its grave. Let us not play the fool any more.
*Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.
NigerianEye
No comments:
Post a Comment