APC, PDP and the need to sit up for democracy’s sake

I foresee the emergence of a strong party in Nigeria. That’s exactly what we need. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is already a dead party with the on-going crisis that’s raging at the leadership level. The All People’s Congress on the other hand I view as a party made up of the same people (or […]

I foresee the emergence of a strong party in Nigeria. That’s exactly what we need. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is already a dead party with the on-going crisis that’s raging at the leadership level. The All People’s Congress on the other hand I view as a party made up of the same people (or the same kind that) in the PDP except for a few who have given the party the desired leadership it needs in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, Nigerians may be shocked at what will happen in the next few years when both parties will need a fresh crop of leaders. Every organisation needs a proper foundation to ensure its future is sealed.
The drama that took place when Yakubu Dogara, the House of Reps Speaker and Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, took place is just a tip of the iceberg. APC’s unity was tested at the beginning of Buhari’s government in a most interesting manner. Even though part of the APC, Saraki was still seen as a PDP loyalist, which stirred up distrust. When Buhari leaves, either in the next couple of years or after a second tenure, what will become of the APC?
Every muscle the APC has, is built on Buhari and no one else. In fact, the president was seen as the only man fit for the job, just like Goodluck Jonathan, so much that everything was a consensus. But what happens when Buhari’s reign ends. Will the old names, like Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar and the like be Nigeria’s ‘messiahs’? Certainly, these parties should be seeking fresh direction and other parties must put up a stiff fight in order to challenge them.
Either the challenge leads APC or PDP to bring out strong candidates or they are pushed aside and a surprise candidate from a new party or underdog party takes the day and produces the next president. I am watching, hoping and praying that this kind of test will bring to the fore a great leader that will equally attract great helpers who will serve the people in a way that will put past leaders to shame.
Tanimu wrote in from Funtua, Katsina State.