In the words of G.K. Chesterton “The whole modern world is divided itself into conservatives and progressives. The business of progressive is to go making mistakes. The business of the conservative is to prevent mistakes from being corrected”.
Nigeria, in the history of democracy, has never witnessed a successful political merger until February 6th 2013, after four of the biggest opposition parties merged, though 2015 general election motivated. These parties include; All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Congress for Progressive (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
The fascinating thing about all these opposition parties is they are mostly break outs from the PDP, except CPC which is a direct break out from ANPP, so the masses shouldn’t be surprised that PDP members are decamping to APC, vis-à-vis APC decamping to PDP.
The resolution for the party merger was signed by the then representatives of the four parties; they are Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau for ANPP, Senator Annie Okonkwo for APGA, Garba Sadi for CPC and Tom Ikimi for ACN.
The birth of the APC at the point when the nation had a wrinkled face became a cancer to be dreaded by the ruling party; though the PDP opined that APC is not and cannot be a threat to 2015 elections. The formation of APC, with a slogan “CHANGE” and motto “JUSTICE, PEACE AND UNITY gave millions of Nigerians hope for change; a change that should secure Nigerians irrespective of religion, party or ethnic background, a change that should spew physical dividends of democracy, a change where policy formation should be in favour of the common Nigerian, a change where elections should be held, not selection, a change where youth employment should be given high priority, a change where INEC, will be Independent, a change where justice serves anybody irrespective of societal or social status.
But Nigerians started losing confidence in the almighty APC at first during the membership registration, but the confidence went sour at the party congress where a lot of the members sensed or rather experienced foul play: but it is said that “Good things don’t come easy”. The APC believes these are just normal challenges meant to be faced in trying to structure the APC party.
It was once observed that for APC to remain intact with all the major players on the passenger’s seat after 2015, it has to win the Presidential election. The APC presidential terrain is becoming dynamic with the evolving of different quality spices for the presidency, especially now that Nigerian citizens need a savior that will restore smiles to their faces completely.
Now to the Big Question, who may likely be the APC presidential flag bearer for 2015 general elections ?
Nigerians, especially Northern followership speculators see Rtd Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the best striker. Other political wigs on the presidential radar of APC include; Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has donated about 5billion naira to the party, Imo state Governor Rochas Okorocha, Former Anti-Corruption boss Nuhu Ribadu, Sam Nda-Isaiah, Governor Rotimi Ameachi, Babatunde Fashola and Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the KWANKWASIYYA lord. Having looked at these names, well meaning Nigerians see hope for true democratic transformation.
The APC only needs to carry out its political calculations free of sentiments and selfish interest to produce its presidential flag bearer. No doubt Gen. Buhari who is a highly respected, disciplined, upright and uncorrupt politician has the majority followership in the Northern Axis, while Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has the financial pillar, Nuhu Ribadu as an anti-corruption crusader has all the experience it takes to strangle the biggest threat to Nigerian growth and development. At the center for global development in 2010 during his paper presentation titled: Challenging Corruption in Africa: Beyond the Bleak Projections Nuhu Ribadu said “Despite the immense size of the problem, corruption can be defeated. My own experience at the EFCC in Nigeria taught me that change is possible, yet difficult. With the right political atmosphere, we secured an unprecedented number of convictions of those previously regarded as untouchable. Unfortunately, we proved that while it was possible to punish some of the guilty, it was a much larger task to tackle a culture so rich with corruption”. Mr Ribadu also said “I have always maintained that corruption is perhaps the greatest cause of the failure of development and democracy in Africa”.
Finally Sam Nda-Isaiah is an uncompromising media lord.
Going by the un-biased public wishes, for APC to win the presidential election in the forth coming general elections, the above names are to serve as elder statesmen and driving force to APC by dropping their presidential ambitions, to add value to the party. It seems as Nigerians crave for change and also wish APC proffers such change, the electorates might need some new generation aspirants not some recycled aspirants especially the likes of Gen. Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Nuhu Ribadu. Sam Nda-Isaah is totally not suitable or else 2015 is yet another ‘LOST’ gamble for APC presidential ambition.
The electorate needs a vibrant enterprising APC presidential aspirant, better still in our lay man’s tongue “FRESH BLOOD”. Considering the practical democratic flow of dividends of democracy via true transformation, fresh blood like the Almighty Kwankwasiyya lord Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Ameachi, Babatunde Fashola, and Rochas Okorocha are the definition of fresh blood into the Nigerian Presidential villa. I need not write on what these Governors have done and are still doing in their respective states as APC Governors. They are indeed leaders who are guided right to progressive leadership.
If these four fresh blooded individuals in the APC presidential race are paired as running mates, APC will still get a perfect presidential flag bearer, devoid of religious and ethnic sentiments. In addition,the 4 above recycled aspirants should serve as guiding pillars to these fresh blooded individuals and the chances of APC winning the presidential election would be very high.
AND SO THE KWANKWASIYYA LORD, whom we all know is a dogged fighter and also an agent of change with laudable achievements is what is needed for National restoration. Should the APC allow them to be the flag bearers, APC might win the Presidential race. Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who was described as “the Awolowo of Northern Nigeria for his massive support to education” by Prince Bola Ajibola former Minister of Justice of the federation and one time Attorney General, might not be as popular as Buhari in Northern axis, but He is getting close, so with the followership support from Gen Buhari to Kwankwaso, Kwankwaso can pull it right in front of the ‘AUTO-PRESIDENT’.
Government is not an individual entity; it is the people that form the Government, don’t be carried away that is only applicable in Nations with compassion for the majority (Masses) not Nigeria where a politician can confidently say “I don’t care how I get to win my election, as long as I win”.
Fodio wrote in from Katsina.
Mr_Hodiyo (twitter) 33050122 (BBM)
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