By Sani Aliyu
Bad governance in a democratic setting has its roots in the lack of coherent best practice of internal democracy at political party level. Being the leadership brewing center, the political party is foisted with the obligation of setting the pace, but where people at the helms of affairs are not democratically elected but selected, it follows therefore, that the nation’s leadership takes queue in abandoning democratic tenets in governance. This is the crux of today’s popular lamentation by the electorates.
Setting a good precedence is synonymous with good parenthood, thus, what the political party stands for is parenthood to a nation’s leadership. Therefore, garbage-in-garbage-out, exactly what we must expect given the current happening, where someone would declare that the President is with him and, not only that, the president stoops so low as to be begging Governors to support this individual. Naturally, a President is expected to play neutral, because everybody in the party belongs to his camp and there is no exemption just like a good father who is expected to administer justly amongst his children.
If today the administration of the largest party in Africa would depend on the decision (s) or want (s) of an individual or a handful of individuals as against delegate election, then it is very unfortunate and tantamount to bad leadership. A trade-by-barter form of governance would therefore be given root. Or would it be governance by blackmail? Going by the disturbing show of desperation exhibited by the so called government-favoured candidate, expressed through a show of arrogance, calling peoples’ fathers kids, then I am afraid those he refers to as kids fall in the same age bracket with the President and more so they were Mr. President contemporaries either as Governors or otherwise. Be that as it may, with my concern as an individual championing the advocacy of sustenance of democracy in Nigeria through best practices, I find it very unethical for someone seeking the headship of an institution that has the onus of sieving quality leadership for Nigeria to condescend this low.
Taking account of the recent melodrama of this very distinguished African roundtable icon, one would but wait to ask what his desperation is for? At his age and time he should be in a better position to know that certain assertions are capable of impairing whatever vantage position one occupies. If his easy access to Mr. President is deluding him to undermine delegates to the extent that he is calling for consensus Chairmanship, is this not a direct indication that he lacks the capacity or content to face contenders with better track records? This and many more disturbing lingering questions are begging for answers. However, from my perspective, the President would need a man with the qualities highly regarded by all, whose pedigree represents best practice of democracy, calm not loud, easily accessible by the downtrodden and has the capacity to foster peace across the regions. A highly experienced politician with high level of integrity whose words counts weight and his contribution to the party and elections are immeasurable.
The man that has youth development and empowerment as his testimonial engagement, a man whose achievement stands tall and speaks for him, a man that has the vision and share and understand Mr. President’s vision. Of course, we need a man that would harmonize the ruling party and by extension be a pacesetter for others to follow.
Let Mr. President distance himself from building acrimony and instead showcase neutrality, for even his secret support of and intention to force a particular candidate on the party, is no more a secret. Nigerians already see no good in PDP, and this notion must change. Let Mr. President allow the good practice and not corrupt practice of democracy. PDP SHOULD GO FOR THE POLLS, LET THE DELEGATES DECIDE.
Sani Aliyu
Country Director (RDV)
Email: aliyusani@yahoo.com
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