This broom must sweep clean

However, it’s becoming apparent they will have to purge themselves of some distasteful tendencies which could hamper their progress and that of the nation. It’s vital they continuously remind themselves they were elected on a platform of change and this change must be represented by a new direction, new personnel and new ways of doing […]

However, it’s becoming apparent they will have to purge themselves of some distasteful tendencies which could hamper their progress and that of the nation. It’s vital they continuously remind themselves they were elected on a platform of change and this change must be represented by a new direction, new personnel and new ways of doing things. Many APC leaders are set in their ways and the issue of zoning is already revealing fractures within the party. Zoning isn’t a constitutional matter and it appears as if APC is treading the same path as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
 Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State has sounded a timely note of warning on the dangers of not reaching early agreement on the issue. The behind the scenes’ jostling for positions and power is in truth really all about personal ambitions which will add little or no real value to the polity or society. Several of the top echelons of the APC are notoriously corrupt individuals who only escaped the long arm of the law due to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) severely compromised plea bargaining system, or dubious court injunctions restraining prosecutors. Having extricated the nation from sixteen years of ruinous leadership whose main achievements were emptying the treasury, institutionalizing corruption and living lives of open debauchery, the APC should be preparing itself for the serious task of governing a fractured nation. The scramble over positions is a result of the contamination of our national psyche by a “get rich quick by all means and flaunt it” mentality.  Instead of hiding their heads in shame the corruptly rich oppress the rest of us with the assistance of rented police escorts. Their crass display of the perks of office and ill-gotten wealth has become a national pastime. Although PDP leaders don’t mention the failed anti-corruption war as one of the reasons they lost the election, it definitely was. Under their watch government officials stole far more than they could ever spend in their lives, and the nation has every right to expect that attempts will be made to recover such funds.
 If those who massively looted the treasury are allowed to go free and enjoy their wealth then it would be unfair to expect those coming in to be exhibit patriotism, honesty and integrity to their personal detriment. Most of our “successful” political elite live in houses surrounded by high fences topped with electric wire and guarded by police 24hours a day. Presiding over a nation where the majority live below the poverty line, they are restricted in spending their ill gotten wealth locally. There is little difference between their homes and maximum security prisons! The most unfortunate aspect is that fencing compounds consumes more blocks than building standard houses. Lamentably the blocks used to fence off the houses of the rich are enough to have built homes for virtually all Nigerians. The indifference of the political class to the welfare of the majority became legendary under the PDP and an end to this glaring inequality is part of the change Nigerians desire. Ironically while abandoning the anti-corruption war will amount to a betrayal of those who voted for change, a policy of vendetta would be counter-productive. To bring about real change its important APC tackles the causes and institutionalized processes of corruption. Undoubtedly the immediate cause is the character flaws of individuals, but the absence of a social safety net, and unlikelihood of being caught let alone punished are also factors.
The bitterness of PDP supporters clearly shows that they never considered the possibility of losing the election even though they were unable to convince an electorate desirous for change of any concrete achievements of theirs which had improved the lives of the majority. Privatization of the electricity industry was touted as an achievement even though it led to more darkness and an increase in electricity bills rather than any noticeable improvement in provision of light. These Distribution company operators must be swept away. Participation of local players in the oil sector led to fuel subsidy fraud. These fraudsters must be swept away. Ill-conceived revenue generating policies such as extorting money from motorists under the guise of completely unnecessary new licenses and number plates must also be swept away. As daunting as the problems of corruption, insecurity, infrastructure, education as well as moral and political decadence are, Nigerians expect the broom to concentrate on sweeping out the lack of idealism and empathy in governance that has held the nation back. Nigerians desire a more caring and compassionate government and society. The professional opportunists whose philosophy of politics without principles has always dictated their actions are standing by to pollute the new APC government. Three landmark moments have been recorded in elections in Nigeria. The first in 1993 when Abiola “won” , the second in 2011 when Goodluck Jonathan won, the third in 2015 when General Buhari won. The previous two occasions were badly mismanaged and brought further ruin to the nation. This time things must be different and the opportunity for a new beginning shouldn’t be squandered. APC owe their victory to the truism of Victor Hugo’s immortal words that “not even all the armies in the world can stop an idea whose time has come”. The time for change has come and its’ imperative the APC broom signifying change really does sweep out the old and bring in the new.