Political power not for sale

But more interesting in the catalogue of novelties is the fact that this is the first time in the history of the country that a ruling party would be election-phobic. A situation in which the ruling party resorts to fidgety rather than confidence is very unfortunate. Equally worrisome is the fact that this is the […]

But more interesting in the catalogue of novelties is the fact that this is the first time in the history of the country that a ruling party would be election-phobic. A situation in which the ruling party resorts to fidgety rather than confidence is very unfortunate. Equally worrisome is the fact that this is the first time that the ruling party will attempt to divide the country along ethno-religious lines. It is therefore not surprising that insurgency had become political bait by the ruling party to determine the political climate of the country for its own convenience.
The fact also remains that it is the first time that elections will be based on dollar-power rather than issues or ideology. The only language that is left with the ruling party is ‘dollar’. It is therefore not an accident that this election had turned out to be harvest period for religious leaders. We have heard about several billions of Naira for pastors to help spread the gospel of Jonathan. The latest dimension that had been introduced to the current campaign is amusing as it is irritating. It is that since other geo-political zones completed their two terms in office, the South-South must also complete two terms whether Nigerians like it or not.
The ridiculous corollary here is the fact that the Yoruba were pacified in 1999 because of the annulment of Abiola’s victory. To the apologists of South-South bigotry, the zone should also be pacified lest the ex-militants go on rampage against the oil wells in the Niger-Delta area. At no time during Obasanjo’s regime did the South West introduce ethnic sentiments. In other words, neither Obasanjo nor the Yoruba as a race took the second term for granted. For his second term bid in 2003, it was Obasanjo/PDP affair in which the Yoruba did not show any overt interest. Obasanjo canvassed for votes among the Yoruba without any ethnic presumption. His electoral fortunes within the South West were nothing to celebrate.
At the end of Obasanjo’s term under the unwritten agreement, power was transferred to the North, an arrangement that produced the late Umar Yar’adua under while Jonathan served as Vice President. It was the death of Yar’adua that changed the political equation and calculation of the country. In a nutshell therefore, it is the North’s time that Jonathan is enjoying now. If therefore there should be a call for the restoration of status quo, the clamour should be from the North.  But that is not even the issue now. It is certain by a bad political augury for the country if the ruling party in the country should be wasting public resources to encourage all kinds of brigandery across the country. Is it not ridiculous that the MASSOB which had never hidden its disdain for the sovereignty of the country to the extent of warning their Igbo kinsmen against participating in the election not turning to a pressure group, calling for the sack of Jega.
Nothing can underrate the intelligence of the Yoruba psyche than promoting a Gani Adams to the level of Yoruba leader. That is the Gani Adams who recently confirmed his bid for multi billion Naira oil well protection by the federal government. It is that state of hallucination that made him disturb the peace of Lagos and its environs with his so-called anti Jega protest which grounded economic activities in Lagos for hours. The main grouse against Jega is not that he is a Northerner who is likely to manipulate the election in favour of his fellow Northerner. Was Jega not a Northerner in 2011 when he declared Jonathan winner against his ‘brother’, Buhari who also contested the election with the same Jonathan? It is sad indeed that everything in the country had been translated into religion or ethnicity.
Politics is being pushed from the realm of persuasion to that of intimidation by the so-called federal might. To the Jonathan Niger-Delta apologists, the only guarantee for Nigeria’s continued existence is the return of Goodluck Jonathan. Nobody can undermine the sovereignty of the country more than that. It was that same abuse of national sovereignty that led to the documentary of Buhari’s patriotism in the service of the nation to keep the country together as a soldier. Nigerians must be watchful of those pawning the territorial integrity and national sovereignty on the altar of transient political power at all costs. All forms of outlawed ethnic militant groups are being mobilized to put the country on siege. A ruling party in the course of sustaining itself in power at all costs can go as far as declaring war on the psyche of the country. That is unfortunate indeed.
Sanni wrote from Ibadan