By AbdulRahman Agboola
The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to present a spectacular candidate as its presidential flag-bearer to gain the confidence of the electorate and pave way for a system change in Nigeria in 2015. It is not a misnomer to say that most card carrying members of political parties are deficient in progressive ideologies and involved in party activities for patronage and parochial interest at the expense of collective good of the governed.
A holistic look at the intricacies in political parties’ administrations exposes the pursuance of self-interest, ego and sense of individualism among party stalwarts and members alike. In reality, party supremacy as enshrined in the constitution has been jettisoned. To a great extent, this scenario is common with the ruling PDP where the interest and instructions of Mr President and governors supersede those of the party’s constitution, leading to the reign of more than six national chairmen within 15 years.
The responsibility of the party leadership is to ensure the optimal productivity and guide elected officers on their platform towards best practices. Unfortunately, rather than exert authority, party leadership connives with political office holders to promote sharp practices and retard governance in Nigeria.
Party supremacy, respect for hierarchy, conscientious discharge of duties, compliance with the constitution and good dispositions to the will of the people are the ingredients required to promote sanity in party affairs, suffice to say APC structures should be tailored to subscribe to the path of progressiveness to command the respect of the electorate.
Clearly, an average Nigerian is not comfortable with the worrisome state of the country under President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigeria is abundantly blessed, yet majority of the people look unto miracles to survive with prayers to God for provision of daily bread, what an irony. The PDP as a party leading the country since 1999 is determined to hold on to power at all cost even at the expense of good governance. Many abnormalities that negate sincerity of purpose are reigning in PDP while their bigots and mercenaries are leaving no stone unturned to crush, blacklist and downgrade APC in order to deny the country a system change offered by APC.
PDP has cast serious aspersions on notable APC contenders for president. General Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are already portrayed as desperate and lacking in merit on the ground of their previous failures at the presidential polls. PDP canvassers have erroneously tagged Buhari as a religious bigot and despot at variance with the good credentials of the former Head of State while Atiku has been tagged a desperate political prostitute in lust for power.
The insistence of these bashed personalities to fly the flag of APC at the Presidential Election is viewed by many as a disservice to party supporters and the general masses dedicated to the emergence of a system change in the polity of the nation inherent in the victory of APC at the 2015 presidential election.
With the mood of the nation and critical assessment of leading personalities in Nigeria with goodwill, commitment, tendency, capacity to lead to greatness and turnaround the fortune of the country to the overall benefit of the entire people, the Speaker House of Representatives Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal commands respect among friends and foes for his exemplary potentials and regarded by many forthright nationalist as the best man to lead the country to greatness as shown by his diligence and positive service in his present capacity. On the same rank with him on sound credentials are governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi and Raji Fashola. Senator Bukola Saraki, Chief Sam Nda Isaiah and a host of others are viewed as good alternatives.
With the uncertainty beclouding the bid of the best man of the moment, Tambuwal for President on the platform of APC and the automatic ticket of President Jonathan in PDP, Kwankwaso stands tallest among other front runners. The first term of Kwankwaso as governor of Kano state within 1999 and 2003 greatly advanced the welfare of the governed. The experience garnered out of power between 2003 and 2011 before his return as governor of Kano state for the second term has transformed Kano to an outstanding state in terms of effective service delivery.
Kwakwaso is neither surrounded with scandals nor dented with poor records. He is blessed with profound followers across the country as a bridge builder. Though, Buhari and Atiku command large followership as well, it will be in the best interest of the party leaders to weigh the consequences of the continual attacks on the image of Buhari and Atiku to prevail on them to close their ranks and throw their weight behind the emergence of Kwankwaso as the APC Presidential candidate as a personality with positive image and no indictment in the court of public opinions.
There is no doubt that unity of purpose among APC stalwarts and leading contenders for the flag of the party will defeat the machinations and greed of PDP to remain in power against all odds. Any attempt by APC leadership and members to allow disintegration as a result of tussle among the top contenders will only inflict more pains on the masses.
It will be in the best interest of the poor masses for all youthful groups in APC to harmonize their ranks to rally round the emergence of an emerging leader as commenced by Mallam Balarabe Rufai led APC New Generation Initiative and collectively prevail on General Buhari and Atiku Abubakar to synergise with Kwankwaso to ease the successful emergence of APC at the Centre of Government in Nigeria.
Comrade Agboola is National Coordinator, Mass Action for Good Governance and Grassroots Development in Nigeria. Email: [email protected], 08032813279
