Politics

Political Parties Merger: Matters Arising

Published

12 years ago

February 4, 2013

The on-going merger project of major opposition political parties in Nigeria has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some have expressed doubt over its workability, others say it will not fail like previous attempts.

Beyond this, the news that the merger, being spearheaded by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), with a view to overthrowing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections, would come to fruition in June has caused excitement in some quarters.

Those who think it is not feasible, from all indications, are mostly beclouded by the thought of previous failures of political parties merger right from the early period of post-colonial political era in the country.

Those who are not only longing for a change, but also against a drift to a one-party state, given what they christen elephantine and intimidating nature of the PDP, are looking forward to any arrangement that could displace the ruling party from office at the centre.

They reckon that this would give Nigerians the opportunity to compare the PDP and another party, with a view to knowing which one is better. This stance is with the knowledge and acknowledgement that it will be difficult for any political party, as an individual institution, to displace the PDP at the federal level.

Such stance is based more on the strong structure the PDP has evolved over the years, which is capable of dwarfing any single opposition, than that the PDP is invincible, or always presents the best candidates for elections.

Indeed, a political party that has 24 governors out of 36, and, therefore, controls two-thirds of the country, and whose members constitute the majority in the National Assembly has enough muscle to keep winning elections. The reason for this is simple. Governors are the prime movers in the country’s polity.

The implication is that as long as these governors keep on capturing people’s hearts in their respective states, using their performance, popularity or intimidation, they can deliver the votes to their political party.

Also, the governors are the ones whose agents could manipulate elections to suit their purpose in a country like Nigeria, which is still struggling to organise transparent polls.

In spite of the fore-going, however, the merger and the prospect of one singular opposition party look bright, particularly going by the meticulousness of the planners. They are also taking things stage by stage and have recorded successes at each stage so far.

Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a former governor of Yobe State and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), recently confirmed the current rapprochement among the major opposition parties.

“The ACN has appointed their team. The ANPP has also done the same thing and I am part of the committee. We have met several times. We have toured North Central. We met our supporters in North Central in Lafia. We were in Enugu, South East of Nigeria for a whole day. We are going to go to visit other zones”, he said.

Still, there are fears in certain circles over the alliance achieving the desired result. One factor that sticks out as possible cause of failure is selfishness on the part of key planners of the alliance, topmost among which is former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd). Experience has shown that leaders of the political parties that had previously attempted such arrangement never dropped their personal ambition, ego and interests.

It was the same ego trip and the posture of self-importance by leaders of the ACN and the CPC that truncated the merger/alliance plan of the two parties in 2011. If the Buharis and Bola Tinubus had played down self, perhaps, the merger arrangement could have worked.

Unfortunately, these people stuck to their guns in their demands, hence the merger deal never came through. Of course, such merger failure made it easier for the PDP to win the presidential election in 2011.

Currently, Buhari has indicated interest to contest, yet again, the presidency in 2015. He said that he would present himself because of the numerous appeals by his supporters for him to bid for the number one position. This is against his earlier declaration, after the 2011 elections, that he would not seek elective office again.

With Buhari ready to contest in 2015, the pertinent question is: Would he agree to step down for another person, in the event of a merger, if this becomes imperative, despite the assurances by leaders of the ACN, CPC and ANPP that this time their personal interests would be secondary?

Also, if Buhari is joining the 2015 presidential race because his supporters are putting pressure on him, it is not likely that he would resist appeal to step down the same way in any merger arrangement that would not present him as the candidate, knowing that it is likely to be his last shot at the top position?

As it stands, Buhari is obviously doing the bidding of his supporters and those appealing to him instead of acting on his conviction. Would he be prepared to sacrifice his interest and that of his followers for the interest of the country? This is a feat yet to be achieved by any Head of State in Nigeria.

Considering that all past leaders of the country had always claimed to base their decisions on the interest of the country first, though such decisions had led the country to its present state of underdevelopment, and aspiring leaders also put forth selfless service as their focus, the kind of leader Nigeria does not need is quite obvious.

It is thus deducible that political merger or not, all those at the helm of Nigeria’s governance cannot claim not to know what is best for the country. The problem had always been doing the right thing for the benefit of the citizenry, playing down selfish interests.

Politics

NGO Passes Confidence Vote On Fubara Over Dev Strides

Published

1 week ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.

Politics

Ex-Inc President Harps On People-Centred Governance

Published

1 week ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.

John Bibor

Politics

Group Tasks Rivers LG Chairmen On Aggressive Rural Dev

Published

1 week ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.

By: Bethel Toby