No other event perhaps, dramatizes the growing contradictions of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic better, than the theatre of political absurdity which the nation has become, in the countdown to the 2015 general elections. As political parties hold primaries to select their candidates for the various races, democracy has been rendered meaningless where it should be most fervently exemplified. Power and money have become instruments of statecraft in the hands of the ruling party, while vanity or indiscernible ideas characterize the opposition. The principle of one man one vote has been derided, thanks to politicians who subvert legality in their quest for power. In the last 15 years, the quality of political leadership at all levels has remained generally low. At a time when the nation’s political experience needs sound footing in democratic governance, the absence of any identifiable ideology and internal democracy testifies to the lack of character in all the parties. Judging by the frenetic struggle over political positions, it is clear that gluttonous accumulation of wealth, and other spoils of office are the primary motivations of the candidates, not service. This shame is made more painful because this is the time Nigeria needs men and women of character.
Nigerian democracy has been so much debased; and it is indeed unfortunate that political parties continue to foster a recruitment process that allows the worst to access public offices. Generally, the field is tainted with defections from one party to another in ways that underline the ideological poverty of the parties and the self-centeredness of politicians. From defections to boycotts, to rival factions holding rival primaries, poverty of leadership is evident everywhere with perilous implications for democracy in the country. The primaries have been an all-comers affair of contractors, lawbreakers, political hangers-on and sundry jobbers, all lacking in the requisite knowledge for governance. The situation is so deplorable and so scary that helpless Nigerians are wringing their hands in anguish, as they watch the intrigues, backroom deals, and horse- trading amidst pseudo-legal moves to determine who emerges candidate at various levels. If this odious political state is not a reflection of the way Nigeria is, what is?
The governorship races have remained rancorous, speculative and bitter. For incumbent and outgoing governors both in the ruling party and the opposition, the primaries have become a contest for them to affirm their control on party structures; and in the face of their terminal might, ensure the emergence of their successors and loyalists. The ambience is dotted by pockets of protests, threats, blackmail and show of might. Across Nigeria, the aspirants are putting finishing touches amidst tales of sacks of money changing hands. The ruling PDP chose the incumbent president as its sole candidate, barring every other potential candidate form vying for the presidency. By the same logic, governors were given the express mandate to produce senators for the national parliament; and those about to end their tenure have even gone ahead to choose their prospective successors in the most blatant and unconscionable disrespect for internal party democracy. Nothing is more unworthy of leadership than to degrade the system by which one attains fulfillment, and this is what the nation is witnessing all across the country.
In another sense, the present state of political cannibalism is merely a reflection of the pitiable national life to which every Nigerian is being continually exposed. The political class as a whole has shown impetuous and irresponsible behavior at the expense of the people. Amid the intrigues of who is up that should be brought down; and who is down that should be crucified and buried, sinister plots are hatched, hopes are raised and dashed and negotiations simmer down to questions like: “What do you want?” “What can we give and what can we get in the end?” Do we trust he will keep his side of the bargain?” “Will we trade the governor’s ticket for the Senate?” “Should we allow them to participate in the process at all?” All these raise the question: what is the character of the Nigerian politician? What, in their thinking, is the whole purpose of a political party?
Unfortunately, in all of these, the Nigerian people will be the ultimate losers. What Nigerians expect from every candidate for elective office in the coming elections, is a well thought-through and clearly articulated blueprint to build a great country. Unfortunately, none of the candidates; not even President Jonathan has bothered to outline a political vision and mission of a better Nigeria, let alone show how it will be attained. By now, Nigerians, irrespective of which side of the divide they fall, have a reasonably good idea of the wherefore of a Jonathan administration. Over three years since a hope-raising, spirit lifting “transformation agenda” was propounded by Jonathan, it is no exaggeration to say very few Nigerians lives have been transformed for the better. Candidates who seek to govern at all levels must dwell less on where Nigeria is, which is already well known, and more on where the candidate wants to take the country and how.
The political atmosphere ahead of 2015 is gloomy, compounded by insecurity in the north-east where a sizeable chunk of territory is under the control of Boko Haram insurgents. Questions must therefore be asked about what kind of Nigeria these politicians are jostling to govern? Boko Haram has since declared a Caliphate over captured areas in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states; hoisted its flag and instituted quasi-administrative structures to govern the territories under its control. The hoisting of flags over the captured areas is indicative of a calculated and deliberate move to denigrate Nigeria. Nothing can be more suggestive of the country’s threatened disintegration than those acts. The religious criminality has dealt a devastating blow to any claim to good governance, and this should worry any politician who professes one Nigeria. It is even doubtful, if elections will hold in the occupied areas. Yet, failure to vote in any part of the country will call the credibility of the election and its result to question.
The dog-eat-dog politics being played with the primaries is a disgrace of immeasurable proportions. The defections, horse-trading, and back room dealing that has characterized the exercise is a shameful phenomenon that graphically retells the odious rat race, ideological vacuity and mundane craving that typify Nigeria’s political life. Lacking in any principled intention to develop the structure and content of partisan politics, the primaries have been nothing more than self-seeking, whimsical and disdainful political opportunism. To this end, it calls to question the capacity, moral integrity and character of those who are ruling or aspiring to rule this country. With the blood of her citizens already being wantonly shed, Nigeria, indeed, does not need this kind of egg on her face. Politicians should realize that unless Boko Haram is effectively defeated, there may be no country to govern after 2015. Nigerians, of course, should know and take seriously the fact that their future lies in their ability to vote and should not trade that for anything.
