BerylPubaf '2011' Political Ticker, Nig.
By Gabriel O. Omowaye
In association with exposure, development, and thirst for change comes the cause of putting the square peg in the square hole. Beryl Group Public Affairs, along with integrity activist groups like the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) among few others; and individuals of well meaning characters and knowledge, have clamoured for different approaches to different issues confronting Nigeria as a country, and a leader among developing nations. For the naïve sense of nature of many of its citizens to the properties of good governance, and the impropriety of dignity among the leaders especially in managing national resources, that being solvable, Nigeria would count in soon time as a developed nation. That would in turn give South Africa a voice of concern for the definition of the terms, while Ghana, Libya and Egypt would increase their worthiness in global stature.
A major quality desirous in Nigeria’s political atmosphere at the moment lies in the credibility of the electorate and the firmness of the judiciary. For few years now, I have advocated for review of the country’s party systems in terms of value and virtue, but the number of parties kept increasing. At the moment, there are over fifty-four (54) political parties in Nigeria. Going by statistical enumeration, the ruling party, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) is about or over the size of forty-five (45) other parties in terms of everything: resources, number, political influences, candidates, seats won etc. In other words, the strength of the democratic system in Nigeria weighs its capability by the strength of the ruling party. I remembered I was one of the very few, if not foremost publicly, who declared the zoning arrangement of PDP as a party affair. I was surprised to read about General Buhari’s position on it; I would have thought he would stick his neck in his own new party to make it fervent. Until about a month ago, PDP’s zoning was the country’s cup of coffee. Who would be surprised when All Nigeria’s Peoples party (ANPP) came up to intensify zoning in their own party? To a follower of my blog, I discussed about the party system in Nigeria in previous blog-posts.
About the last weekend, the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) declared fit President Jonathan for running for Presidency in the next election, same also as the Board of Trustees (BoT) that has former President Obasanjo as the chairman. But the NEC also maintained the zoning. If that is to go by, the President is not from the North where Power has been zoned to. His only claim to zoning would be on his joint ticket with former President Yar’ Adua’s before the latter passed away. If otherwise, he would insist on the unclear clearance from the NEC to move forward his ambition, if at all. Pressures continue to mount on him to declare his intentions for the Presidential race, even though no response has been ascribed directly to him on the issue, he still remains President and a leader of his party. In the same light, General Babangida (rtd) continues his election campaign: apologizing, networking, and promoting his values as a qualified candidate irrespective of the party’s stand. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice president to General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) was denied the party’s ticket to contest but he has went ahead to declare his presidential candidacy on the platform of the same party, insisting on his human and party rights.
Just in another light of similar structure, General Aliyu Gusau was rumoured to have resigned his position as the National Security Advisor, and awaits the presidential approval. I await a confirmed report. He belongs to the PDP caucus, and a senior strategist.
While the PDP mannerism lasts, opposition parties have remained mum, with the leaders granting interview once in a blue moon to retain or regain public consciousness. The Action Congress has just changed its name to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The party seem to be faced with the issue of having compatible Presidential flag bearers.
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who defected from ANPP as their Presidential flag bearer. Recently, Alhaji Aminu Masari, former Speaker of the House of Representative has moved to CPC join General Buhari. At the moment, there has been nothing much coming from the camp; probably on the strategy dictate for the time being.
ANPP with the 'supposedly new' leader, Chief Harry Akande seems for the need to go back to the fundamental principles that led to the formation for the party.
The situation is generally rather solely-based. Provided with all things happening at the moment nationally, a regular citizen cares about light (electricity), water, shelter and food. Hopefully, Nigeria would not move from over 54 confused parties to just 1 unorganized party state. Opposition is necessary and compulsory for good and effective governance in a democratic setting.
© Beryl Group Public Affairs
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