Nigeria: Politicians Prepare for Transition

[ADEDA]

NIGERIA: Politicians Prepare for Transition.

As the theoreticians (professors and students), anarchists, illusionists,
propandists and realists argue on the Net from all parts of the world
(except from Nigeria), true political activities are taking place in
Nigeria. Here is a report of such activities by Churchill Umoren, of THE
PUNCH (JUNE 4, 1996).

Ayuba Sarki

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With the adoption of the yet-to-be-made-public registration guidelines for
the new political parties by the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC),
political groups have commenced last minute's preparations to ensure they
get the nod of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON).
The horizon now seems to be getting clearer about which of the groups
may scale the hurdles when registration commences in the third quarter of
the year. Though most of the groups have not yet set up functional offices
in many states of the federation to demonstrate national spread, the about
50 existent groups on both sides of the political divide have been reduced
to about five, though merger talks are still going on. There is the
likelihood of the big five getting NECON's nod.
The parameters used by political watchers are the color and calibre of
politicians in the various groups. Those considered to be on the ground
presently parade heavyweights from the East, North and West. Another is
the grassroot presence of he groups.
The frontline groups on the right are the ALL-NIGERIA CONGRESS (ANC)
and the PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (PDA), while on the left are the TRUE
PROGRESSIVE GRAND ALLIANCE (TUPGA), the ALL-NIGERIA PROGRESSIVES and the
COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL CONGRESSES (CNC).
The NEW DIMENSION/PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (ND/PDM), another
formidable group is best described as a liberal group. The ANC is made up
of mostly conservatives from the defunct National Republican Convention
(NRC). Members include Dr. Hameed Kusamotu, former NRC Chairman; Alhaji
Umaru Shinkafi and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, both presidential aspirants under
the NRC; Alhaji Adamu Ciroma and Chief Alani Bankole, among others.
The Chairman of the Congress in Chief fS.B. Awoniyi, while Chief
Demola Adebo is the Secretary. This groups also considered formidable
because most of its members are tested politicians in the Third Republic,
who understand the conservative politics of the North.
The PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (PDA) is another solid group that has
wooed groups like the NORTHERN GRAND ALLIANCE, NORTHERN PROGRESSIVE FORUM,
THE PEOPLE'S CONGRESS OF NIGERIA (PCN), made of former governors and the
NORTHERN PEOPLE'S FRONT. It has Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu as Chairman and Mr.
Sami Charles as Secretary.
This group, it is believed would get the nod, considering the calibre
of its members and the large number of Northern groups in its fold. The
ex-governors, it is believed, may not find it difficult going back to their
bases to get grassroot support.
The TRUE PROGRESSIVE GRAND ALLIANCE (TUPGA), an offshoot of the
COMMITTEE FOR UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING (UCC), has Chief 'Bola Ige as the
Chairman, while Chief Cornelius Adebayo is the Secretary. The group, which
holds a strong position concerning JUNE 12, has a large number of members
of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in its fold.
The group, which meets this month to put finishing touches to its
constitution and what it called "covenant with the Nigerian people,"
analysts believe, is one group that would be registered despite its
pro-JUNE 12 stance.
Another prominent group is the COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL CONSENSUS (CNC).
Though it claims to be progressive, it parades a good number of
capitalists and conservatives. The leader of the group is the former
managing director of Guiness Nigeria Plc, Dr. Abel Ubeku, with former Works
and Housing Minister under the Interim National Government (ING), Mr.
Barnabas Gemade and Kwara State political giant, Dr. Olusola Saraki are the
prominent members.
The ALL-NIGERIA PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE, midwifed by the NIGERIA UNITY
CLUB (NUC), is another group that may be registered, going by the very
influential and tested politicians in its fold.
Former Plateau State Governor, Chief Solomon Lar and Senator Ebenezer
Ikeyina are Cochairmen of the the Alliance. It has an ally in the SOCIAL
DEMOCRATIC UNION (SDU) of former Education Minister, Dr. Iyorhia Ayu and
Jubril Martins-Kuye.
The NEW DIMENSION (ND) and the PDM, now known as the ND/PDM, now known
as the ND/PDM, is another group that may get the go-ahead. It is best
described as a liberal or middle-of-the-road group. The PDM, a baby of
General Musa Yar'Adua (rtd) is presently led by Alhaji Isa Kaita, while
former SDP governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Chief Dapo Sarumi, leads
the pack in the ND, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo is also a strong personality with
the group.