Paying the price of impunity

Ironically, the CPC leaders, who are the loudest critics of the ruling PDP for lack of internal democracy, have turned out to be worst violators of this principle. In fact, I agree with those who argue that the CPC is run like the Chinese Communist Party where an un-elected few decide the fate of millions. […]

Ironically, the CPC leaders, who are the loudest critics of the ruling PDP for lack of internal democracy, have turned out to be worst violators of this principle. In fact, I agree with those who argue that the CPC is run like the Chinese Communist Party where an un-elected few decide the fate of millions. None of the CPC national leaders, except General Buhari, can win election at their wards in their own right. They mouth democracy but they don’t practice its basic principle of the freedom of choice or voter sovereignty. At one point, one of the national leaders even threatened to expel any member that dared challenge the policy of imposition and substitution at the courts. In fact, the larger membership of the CPC is nauseated by this arrogant display of power by leaders who are supposed to derive their authority from the people. Command mentality is the major characteristic of the CPC leadership style and this attitude has alienated the people from the party. To say that the CPC is in a mess is an under-statement. A former National Publicity Secretary of the CPC, Mr. Dennis Aghanya, openly alleged that some leaders were using the policy of substitution and imposition to achieve private advantages at the expense of the party. And none of the leaders has come out as yet to deny this allegation.

During a post-election review meeting held in Abuja, the leaders of the party were openly jeered at by stakeholders from the local government and state chapters. In fact, they were openly told that they were responsible for the poor performance of the party. Ordinarily, once a leader observes that he no longer commands the loyalty, respect and affection of his followers, does he need to be reminded to quit? CPC leaders are obsessed with power for its own sake and don’t therefore, feel any moral duty to resign even when there are clear and unmistakable signs that they have lost the confidence of their followers. Playing the ostrich is their style; they pretend that all is well when things are going badly! Complacency doesn’t let you see reality, but these self-righteous CPC leaders don’t bother, provided they are keeping their seats.  Who then can save the CPC? General Muhammadu Buhari is the only man with enough credibility to stamp his feet and re-organize the party. Unfortunately, however, he himself is a captive to the manipulation of a clique within the party leadership. In terms of moral credibility, they can’t hold a candle to him. Curiously, it is a case of the tail wagging the dog!

A credible leader should not be irresolute as General Buhari appears to be. He needs the moral courage to reform the CPC, even if he must get rid of his friends who are stumbling blocks to the progress of the party. You cannot preach about justice to others when you cannot provide it to those under your roof. Such is the kind of contradiction in the CPC. While the party leaders are in court to fight against injustice, they see nothing wrong perpetrating it against their own members. The loss of ten National Assembly seats by the CPC at the election petition tribunal in Katsina State is a major embarrassment to genuine supporters of the party. It is even more humiliating to the lawmakers who were affected. The feeling of enjoying unfair advantage over others is itself a moral burden, especially in a society that takes ethical standards seriously.

The willful disregard of the party’s constitution and the rules of fair play by the CPC leaders should be blamed for the latest embarrassment at the election tribunal. It was a predictable outcome of arrogant impunity, which has become the style of the CPC leaders. Do these starry-eyed idealists understand the nuances of politics at all? Do they think good intention without strategy and hard work   can make the CPC attain power at all levels? Do they think the destruction of internal democracy can advance the CPC?

In the famous words of Abraham Lincoln, “no man is good enough to govern another without their consent.” Therefore, does the CPC policy of imposition and substitution reflect the commitment of the party to democratic principles? Nobody should take the liberty to rule others against their will and that is why even military rule is widely unfashionable today around the world. The posture of superior morality is taking the CPC nowhere. Only the entrenchment of internal democracy and respect for the rules of fair play can strengthen the CPC and put it in a position to bounce back formidably. As long as the current national leaders of the party who have no regard for internal democracy remain in office, the CPC will suffer greater waning of influence. Its leaders are the main obstacles to progress. Younger leaders with grassroots support should take over the management of the party if it ever hopes to attain power in the next elections. The task of rebuilding the CPC beyond General Buhari can only be achieved if the current leaders step aside to allow for genuine reforms and restructuring of the CPC.

Funtua wrote from 97, Ibrahim

Taiwo Road, Kano. [email protected]