Before the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Nigeria would be drenched in the foreseen downpour, I thought it wise as a concerned onlooker and citizen to set the record straight for the ruling party.
I was not unhappy when the APC graciously emerged in 2013. The said mood was not unconnected with the notion that its existence in 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.
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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 Nigeria’s seat of power via keenly contested polls.
Though since the APC came on board as a ruling party, there has been a 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 soon be headed for extinction. 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 the way forward, indulge themselves in self-deceit.
It’s quite appalling when one realizes 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, who 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.
The last ward, LG and state congresses of the APC were reportedly characterized by irregularities. Afterwards, some of the stalwarts in the party, 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 at the last general elections held in 2019.
Now, the APC is preparing for yet another national convention despite having experienced various degrees of irregularities in its congresses at the Ward, LG and state levels. A lot has since been said by the party members and concerned observers regarding the awaited convention.
It’s pertinent that, if the needful isn’t done prior to the convention, the national gathering might mark the beginning of the end of the APC. It’s noteworthy that, politically speaking, all isn’t well with the ruling APC as a political party.
It’s not anymore news that the APC already has different factions among the party members. For the anomaly to be critically resolved, the party leadership must be willing to address the issues rather than attacking the personalities that make up the party membership.
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 soonest, 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 a 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.