In recent times, there appears to have been a shift from the old ways of choosing those who govern the state, senatorial district, and Federal House of Representatives across party lines in the country.
This confirms that in an electoral democracy, politics is as much a game of choices as it is a game of numbers. Political parties are simply vehicles for political mobilization, particularly in Kogi State, where they are not founded on strict ideological principles.
Your Excellency Yahaya Adoza Bello, what we saw and experienced during the February 25th, 2023, general election calls for serious concern and introspection. The outcome of what we witnessed and experienced can be likened to the flawed primary election that was personalized against the will of the people.
For some, it was the result of blatant imposition through a fundamentally flawed primary election process, from the selection of ad-hoc delegates to the election itself. It was done to cut the interests of some “all-important” people who believe that political power is a tool for rewarding those who are loyal to them and punishing those who are not in sync with them.
The results indicate that there was no room for the representation of true public interest. Consequently, some party members engaged in inadequate participation, which led to the loss of positions to other political parties. Imagine a fervent supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) voting against the party’s candidate. It is both laughable and disastrous.
You may disagree, but it is evident from the recent campaign activities that members displayed their independence of thought and choices, and that is why they did not support or vote for candidates along strict ideological lines. Some of the candidates represent nothing in terms of substance; it is the people that matter. Our experience simply signifies “change,” as Ibrahiym A. El-Caleel once put it, and nothing more. The players are what matter.
I am personally delighted with this political awareness. Its potency and constant effect hinge on the fact that it would be detrimental to have the wrong person, whose name does not speak well for the party, contend with a credible personality from the other side. This should not only be viewed as an opinion but also as an opportunity for political conscientization.
As an ardent supporter and mentee, I will refrain from making this sound like a campaign speech, but I am confident that there are thousands of testimonies to support this. And they are everywhere.
I passionately appeal to His Excellency to be decisively aggressive in presenting a viable and competent successor for the All Progressives Congress (APC), regardless of the aspirant’s ethnicity, religious inclinations, and influence. What matters most is the ‘player’ presented. Is the aspirant marketable? Will they build on past achievements, or are we expecting a replica of Governor Ganduje, whom Senator Rabiu Kwankwoso thought was loyal? Will the interests of 75% of the All Progressives Congress members and party stakeholders be protected? Will the candidate represent the interests of all, regardless of their ethnicity and religious background?
Undoubtedly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) can only prevail over other political parties when presented with a viable candidate with proven RECORDS and INTEGRITY.
His Excellency must, by all means, prevent a recurrence of inadequate political participation among us. The HOUSE must not FALL. It must not FALL.
Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK, a seasoned political analyst, writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.