CPC: Upsetting the apple cart

Speaking during a recent radio programme in Kano, Alhaji  Galadima alleged that Mohammed Abacha contributed nothing to the party. He did not, however, disclose how much Colonel Lawal Ja’afaru Isa, who ws opposed on the voters by the party clique in Abuja, contributed materially and financially. Alhaji Galadima should tell us who mobilized the heavy […]

Speaking during a recent radio programme in Kano, Alhaji  Galadima alleged that Mohammed Abacha contributed nothing to the party. He did not, however, disclose how much Colonel Lawal Ja’afaru Isa, who ws opposed on the voters by the party clique in Abuja, contributed materially and financially. Alhaji Galadima should tell us who mobilized the heavy crowd of supporters from Kano State who attended the national convention of the party. It is also pertinent to know from Alhaji Galadima who organized the mammoth crowd of CPC supporters that turned out in Kano State to attend General Buhari’s Presidential campaign, which certain officials of the party aborted because the huge crowd was chanting Mohammed Abacha’s solidarity songs. It is an open secret that Mohammed Abacha is the main source of the party’s strength in Kano State. He is popular in his own right because he has always identified with the ordinary people. If, indeed Mohammed Abacha contributed nothing to the party or is not popular, why did the party’s officially imposed candidate come a distant third in the gubernatorial election?

We are the voters on the ground in kano State and how could Mohammed Abacha have won N144,000 votes at the gubernatorial primaries if he is not a factor politically in the CPC?  In fact, could any CPC aspirant or candidate organize rallies without spending money for the party? Could any politician organize rallies with stones? How can a politician who was always mobilizing CPC supporters for rallies and party activities be accused of contributing nothing to the party? It is very unfair to accuse Abacha of doing nothing for the party. Anybody that attracted supporters or political capital of goodwill to a party should not be accused of contributing nothing. Mohammed Abacha transformed the CPC within a relatively short space of time into a formidable force. Fighting the party’s popular candidates because they displaced the officially anointed candidates is a bad strategy. Once you fight a popular politician, you automatically declare a war on the right of the people to vote for a man or woman of their choice.

Many radio listeners were utterly disappointed by Alhaji Buba Galadima’s unguarded comments against Mohammed Abacha. Elders should talk in a manner consistent with their avuncular figure or stature. Mohammed Abacha respects Galadima and other national officials of the party who once worked under his late father while he served as Nigeria’s military Head of State.  The attack on the CPC gubernatorial contender in Kano State was, therefore, absolutely unnecessary.  It is highly insensitive to insult a politician in his domain of influence. Galadima’s indiscretion shows utter disregard for the thousands of CPC supporters who are attracted to the party because of Mohammed Abacha. Even a casual visitor to Kano State doesn’t need to be reminded of Abacha’s popularity.

Nobody can deny that Mohammed Abacha built his political base without a god father. While other aspirants were struggling to get automatic endorsement from certain officers of the party in Abuja to realize their ambitions, Mohammed Abacha was busy going door-door or from one village to another to seek the support of the people. Even before his involvement in politics, he has engaged in philanthropic activities, touching many lives of the ordinary people.

It is not surprising, therefore, why he built himself a huge capital of political goodwill in Kano State. The masses developed automatic affection for him because he was always there for them in their hour of need. Even the famous author of the 48 Laws of Power, Robert Green, acknowledges what he calls “strategic generosity” in the success of a leader. A reputation for compassion is big asset for any politician. No sincere analyst can deny this reality about the extent of Mohammed’s formidable grip on the hearts and minds of the ordinary people in Kano State. In the light of the recent reality, personality factor cannot be dismissed from the outcome of the election. In Kano State, the people voted massively for General Buhari in the Presidential election. However, in the gubernatorial election, they rejected the party’s officially imposed candidate. Mohammed Abacha was the preferred candidate of the CPC supporters of Kano State but he was indefensibly replaced with someone who lost the primaries. In Nassarawa State, the people voted for Al-Makura and not the CPC. If not, how come the PDP dominates the Nasarawa State House of Assembly with 24 members while the CPC has only four lawmakers?

It is the height of self-deceit for anyone to dismiss the contributions of Mohammed Abacha to CPC in Kano State. One is amazed that those who have no political following of their own can turn round and accuse others of contributing nothing to the CPC. Most of the text book politicians hanging on Buhari’s coattails cannot with elections in their own wards. Anyone that lacks the grassroots support, let alone the capacity to deliver the votes, has no moral reason to accuse someone else of “contributing nothing to the CPC.” The capacity to deliver the votes is essentially what defines a popular politician. We know those who contributed to the mismanagement of the enormous goodwill initially commanded by the CPC. As long these officials are still holding the party at their mercy, past mistakes may be repeated as we had witnessed in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

Fagge wrote in from No. 98, Monrovia Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.