APC/NASS: A storm too early, too predictable

From the unset, the All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration managed to secure for itself raging interests, unresolved differences to characterize its marriage consummated based on ‘necessity’ rather than ‘national interest’. It wasn’t a difficult setting to conflagrate soon after the victorious harvest at the polls in 2015. The most curious and most celebrated is […]

From the unset, the All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration managed to secure for itself raging interests, unresolved differences to characterize its marriage consummated based on ‘necessity’ rather than ‘national interest’. It wasn’t a difficult setting to conflagrate soon after the victorious harvest at the polls in 2015.
The most curious and most celebrated is the ruling party fisticuff with leadership of the Senate. Insubordination, ego, vendetta, interests and element of incompatibility have all managed to carve niches in APC to rail it towards the mistake of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which culminated into a disastrous implosion.
Interesting to note that some people are of the opinion Dr. Bukola Saraki is the target and soon the sward will return to its sheath. It is believed he was selfish, inconsiderate and possibly a loyalist of the PDP when he “kangarooed” himself as senate president, with a deputy from the opposition.  Saraki however claim he opposed a planned Muslim/Muslim ticket etc. It’s a back and forth argument as the widening divides tries desperately to vilify their opponents.
Only time will however reveal how much strategy was lost in managing the situation as scenes unfold from the dramatic personae. The chairman of the ruling party, John Oyegun tactlessly declared that Saraki’s Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) trial will only “cost the party the senate leadership”. If the senate leadership is not a dreadful loss in a political chess game, then there is a problem with Oyegun’s political gamut.
Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu was quoted at mulling idea of “suspending” or “abolishing” the senate. He is trying to kill the fly perching on his privates by deploying rocket-propelled guns. He failed to reason that a tender shove will achieve desired result.
The embattled senate president wants power. He has managed to fulfill his ambition amidst jettisoning other interests of his party. A man who is only interested in power can be used easily as marionette. Such a person however becomes dangerous once allowed to understand that the only one thing he cherishes is about to elude him. His CCT trial is one thing, perception and timing another matter entirely.
It is instructive to educate on the need for the ruling party to understand that the National Assembly (NASS) under the auspices of “Saraki Loyalists” can grind to dust the good intentions of the President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) led administration with ‘legislative gerrymandering’ to secure their lugubrious pound of flesh.
The NASS is not only expensive to maintain, it also demands extreme tact to manage. It’s alright if Nigerians want to “occupy” the NASS. It is however important to understand that they have a thousand silent and very natural ways to slow the PMB administration down. Gone are the days where former president Olusegun Obasanjo administration infiltrated their ranks with money to sway their focus.
A possible set back in the change administration of PMB is certainly going to rear its ugly head once the ‘normal’ and very regular “Ghana-must-go” from the executive to the legislative arm ahead of budget presentation or important bills fails to hit private bank accounts.
Nobody should be deceived the fight is limited to Dr. Bukola Saraki alone.
He has staunch supporters within and outside the NASS loyal to money to gamble with key sectors of the economy. Example is the power sector and the fuel miasma as experienced. With 109 senators split between APC 60 and PDP 49, it is indeed easy to know where the votes will swing once the “aggrieved” Saraki supporters team up with the “bulk” votes of the PDP against interests of the executive arm of government.
Nigerians are tired, Nigerians are expectant, and Nigerians cannot suffer any longer while their representatives philander with hard earned taxpayers’ monies on amusement toys and idle pastime. That’s the reason why those trying to flush Saraki out of the senate presidency should have been more tactful. The odds are against the ruling party, the collateral damage and the laugh is certainly going to be on them.
Except in a very unusual circumstance, no opposition party leading a political nucleus like the senate will add much value to the ruling party at the center – except for its nuisance value. The focus indeed will be to get out the ruling party through every “legislative” encumbrance possible.
The interest of the country will suffer and the change component of the PMB led administration will be stillborn at the end.
The likes of Saraki have history of abandoning ship once the weather affects their cruise. They however leave the ship disabled with important components to support the sailing of another ship carrying gems they can benefit from. He did that once to PDP and would probably do it in APC.
I have earlier stated at the beginning of the PMB administration in one of my publication that once the NASS incline itself fully with the principle and practice of the APC change mantra, only then will the traction for the change vehicle pick up speed. I was however skeptical of the legislative arm on account of how they were elected and on the established orientation among them before 2015.
In 2015, the anger of Nigerians against PDP failed to consider credentials of candidates on the platform of the APC. Sadly the 2011 general election only succeeded in voting in many political jokes. Their clownish and clannish tendencies are on display at the national assembly. Some cannot speak English; some cannot separate themselves from ethno-religious underpinnings while most are completely clueless except during sharing of monies.
My concern is against the backdrop of suffering Nigerians. No well meaning Nigerian is expected to be bugged down by political interests from saying the truth. It’s a sad one that Saraki may have hurt the “powers that be” in the ruling party. Taking him out must be strategic, tactful and in phases.  He has the propensity to takedown structures. He may not matter much as a political juggernaut, but the task of pulling down an empire sometime can be done by a weakling, who hardly amounts to anything much.
Ebije, wrote this piece from Abuja. He can be reached at [email protected]