Kano PDP and the ostrich mentality
Some people may be tempted to accuse Mohammed Abacha of lack of principles. But then the question is: should you remain in a party that lacks internal democracy or has no inherent capacity to treat all members equally and fairly? Despite his well-recognized principles, General Muhammadu Buhari had to leave the ANPP to form the […]
Some people may be tempted to accuse Mohammed Abacha of lack of principles. But then the question is: should you remain in a party that lacks internal democracy or has no inherent capacity to treat all members equally and fairly? Despite his well-recognized principles, General Muhammadu Buhari had to leave the ANPP to form the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). When leaders of political parties shamelessly abandoned internal democracy and surrender the fate of their parties to the so-called godfathers, aggrieved members should not be accused of lacking principles when they decide to vote with their feet. General Buhari doesn’t need a lesson on principles and, therefore, the ANPP leadership should live with the consequences of losing a man who once gave it credibility.
Let no one pretend that the massive defections from the Kano State PDP chapter by its committed members might not significantly impinge on the future of the party in the 2011 gubernatorial and other elections. The loss of Mohammed Abacha and his supporters by the Kano State PDP chapter is the direct consequence of tunnel vision, lack of focus, purpose and wisdom in the management of party affairs by its leadership. Every action carries a price and stupidity produces the worst! The Kano State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Faruk Iya, is a puppet of former Governor Kwankwaso and, as far as he is concerned, internal democracy should go to blazes, provided it doesn’t affect the stubborn ambition of his lordship- the former defence minister!
In fact, it is believed that Mohammed Abacha was not originally keen to join politics. However, because of his philanthropic activities and other gestures of economic empowerment of the ordinary people, intense pressure was brought upon him by well-meaning supporters. When he finally succumbed to the pressure, he was said to have asked his supporters which party he should join and they unanimously endorsed the PDP, which they believed has more national spread. Unfortunately, Mohammed Abacha and his supporters were disappointed to discover that the self-acclaimed largest party in Africa lacks the will or ability to set standards for internal democracy. As a ruling party, the people would expect the PDP to set certain decent standards for a level playing field for all members seeking elective offices under its platform.
The erosion of internal democracy in the Kano State PDP chapter has become such a notorious fact that forced even the Professor Jega-led INEC to complain openly that internal democracy is being raped in certain states, including Kano. This concern by Professor Jega was widely reported by the press and the national headquarters of the party, though jolted by Jega’s accusation, is too morally timid to call Kwankwaso and other sole owners of the party chapters to order. Despite repeated petitions over the activities of Kano State PDP Chairman and other yes men of Kwankwaso, the national headquarters of the PDP could not decisively and fairly address those valid complaints.
With a national leadership that did not emerge through a normal and transparent democratic process, which is the direct consequence of militarization and regimentation of the party by former President Obasanjo, it is hard to see how Dr. Ekwesiliezie Nwodo can carry out the much-talked about internal reforms. Men like Obasanjo, Col. Ahmadu Ali and Kwankwaso who still exert influence in the party, should have been relegated to the background if internal democracy is expected to take roots.
According to insiders, despite his misgivings, Mohammed Abacha was still ready to give the Kano State PDP leadership the benefit of the doubt to see whether it would see reason and be neutral and fair to all stakeholders of the party. Unfortunately, the party leader, Alhaji Faruk Iya, tends to see his role in terms of crushing the rights and interest of other aspirants in favour of Kwankwaso. When the delegate forms for accreditation to participate in the conduct of party primaries were released by the national headquarters, Alhaji Iya made them exclusively available to Kwankwaso’s supporters. But to the shock of many, supporters of other aspirants who are entitled to be delegates as well were shamelessly denied the forms.
This incident appears to be the last major signal to other aspirants and their supporters that there is a deliberate policy to frustrate any legitimate competition against Kwankwaso’s burning but privately kept desire to contest the gubernatorial election in 2011. Deception cannot go far without being exposed. Despite leading the PDP to two previous defeats, Kwankwaso still wants to come back. A wiser and humbler leader would have scouted for someone else who has bright chances to be elected. Sadly, Kwankwaso doesn’t believe anyone else is endowed with the qualities of leadership except himself. In his epistolary biography, Harry Truman, the late U.S. President, told his interviewer that his philosophy of life is to recognize from day one that he is not God!
Lack of humility is the greatest tragedy of our leaders. The myth of indispensability is always holding us back. Former President Obasanjo attempted to continue in office beyond his constitutional term limit because of the notion that Nigeria could not afford to do without him. Yet after the collapse of that notoriously unpopular scheme or ambition, Nigeria has survived Obasanjo. It is therefore, wrong for Kwankwaso and other like-minded leaders to think that democracy cannot progress without them. The arrogant are like the big trees; they resist the direction of the wind of change and fall as a result! But humble leaders are like grass; they bend to the direction of the wind and rise again! It will take a miracle for the PDP to retake Kano State in 2011 and observers are patiently waiting
Gaya wrote from 32, Sir Usman Nagogo Road, Funtua, Katsina State.E-mail [email protected]