APC: Championing the change we need
As a long-distance witness of the process and outcome of the nomination of the candidate and running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 2015 presidential elections, I find it incredibly invigorating, morale-boosting and spirit-uplifting. For those who were not just witnesses but also active participants in this remarkable experience, they have a right to see themselves as heroes in the national journey that started 15 years ago.
Nigerian citizens and patriots, no matter their party affiliations, must be justly proud of where we are with these results, and where we could be if we persist in this struggle for emancipation. It is not surprising therefore that major commentaries have been positive and congratulatory. It is a refreshing converse of the sordid experience of gangster democracy that we have been exposed to since 1999.
I was one of those who hailed the formation of the APC. In “A big Deal” in August 2013, I observed that it was a big step for democracy. And Opalaba, an otherwise apolitical professional, was upbeat. But he was also cautionary, especially about possible bottlenecks and organisational hiccups. Here was his thoughtful remark then: “But it’s just the beginning, and the end is most definitely important. My only hope is that this beginning is not thwarted; that the leadership of the new party learns from experience; that internal democracy is their watchword; that they are sensitive to the presentation of a uniquely democratic alternative to the electorate because in the final analysis, it is what matters most. It’s a game of numbers”.
Yes, we were all concerned about thwarting the beginning, not learning from past experience, not paying attention to internal democracy and about insensitivity to the interest of the masses. And, of course, the ruling party wasted no time in its determination to define the new party even before it could settle down to business. “It is one man’s party”, they stated. “It is an assembly of tired politicians”, they claimed. “It is a group of terrorists”, they cried. And to some extent, the ugly propaganda war worked, as a few of the original collaborators defected and old dogs went back to their mess. But the lion hearts and insuperable optimists stayed put bolstered by the strength of their convictions.
The issue of the process for the emergence of the party’s standard-bearer did not perturb its devoted leadership, as they reassured the membership that absolute transparency was their mandate. And they delivered to the disappointment of their opponents. The process was not only democratic; it was transparently so.
Why is this important? It was clear that the process was transparently democratic, with each candidate canvassing for the votes of delegates by promoting their personalities, past records of achievements, and proposals for the restoration of the country. Assume, however, that that was not the case. Then the outcome wouldn’t have been widely accepted and lauded as it has been. If a consensus had been reached behind closed doors, it would have been insinuated by detractors that some candidates were forced to step down. The fact that a primary election was conducted in the open market place of high-wired politics lent credibility to the democratic credentials that APC has hitherto laid claim to.
The outcome is therefore good in part because the process was democratic. But it also turned out that a democratic process actually was capable of yielding a substantively good outcome. There is no denying the fact that a substantial majority of party members and neutral Nigerians had expressed a preference for the candidacy of General Muhammadu Buhari for reason of his wide acceptability among the masses based on his previous record as former Head of State, his puritan and spartan lifestyle and intolerance for corruption, as well as his proven ability to secure the nation.
General Buhari’s credentials are incontrovertible. If there is anyone with a proven ability to turn things around, it is he. His concern for security is not in doubt. He did it as GOC for the Jos Command in 1982 when he confronted the Chadians, who decided to bite the Nigerian fingers that were feeding them. And in 1984, as Head of State, he dealt decisively with the Maitatsine sect. Some detractors have expressed concern about Buhari’s alleged stiffness and adherence to principles. Indeed, given our present predicament, there is nothing worse than having a leader with an outwardly pleasant personality combined with a closet predilection for mischief and a compromised value system.
Knowing where a leader stands is important. We have a pretty good idea about where Buhari stands on the pressing issues of our time and space, be it security or corruption or religious fanaticism. It is also important to know that where a leader stands is good for the nation. And on all counts, we know also that this is the case with Buhari.
The matter of the choice of a running mate was apparently the last weapon that the opposition had in its arsenal. Therefore, along with a section of the media, it sensationalised the issue beyond the realm of reason. Religion, always the exploited institution by political opportunists, was once again summoned. It did not matter that we have had a religiously balanced presidency since 1999 and our economic, political, and security conditions have failed to improve. It remains to see when we are going to grow up and reject the shortsightedness and selfishness of political jobbers. Thankfully, with the uncommon political maturity of its leadership, APC has demonstrated its ability to transcend sentiments and emotions and to arrive at a resolution that is acceptable to its supporters and Nigerians as a whole.
The choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as the Vice Presidential candidate by General Buhari is a smart move that has confounded the cabal, which has held Nigeria hostage for far too long. They will have to manufacture some other red meat beside religion. The educational, professional, spiritual and ethical qualifications and qualities of Prof. Osinbajo can only be doubted by the most ignorant or incurably prejudiced person.
Osinbajo’s achievements in the service of Lagos State as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice where he made equal access to justice and human rights his defining achievements are there for the blind to see. The fact that he has not been a professional politician is an enduring asset that should endear him to independent thinkers, whose desire is the restoration of the glory of motherland.
The party chairman and the executive, the governors, candidates, and party functionaries are to be commended for this outcome. Governor Babatunde Fashola deserves special commendation for his sound judgment and patriotism for pulling himself out of consideration as a running mate, citing fatigue, to avoid complicating matters for the candidate and the party.
Without a doubt, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the super hero of the success of the formation of APC, its presidential primary and the outcome of the party’s search for a running mate. It is very easy to cast aspersion on a person’s character. It is impossible to take away his honour and dignity.
No one can truthfully deny Tinubu’s frontline struggle and sacrifice for the formation of a virile opposition party that is capable of competing on the national level. At the time he was fighting this good cause and getting disappointment even from those who stood to benefit from it, he did not think of what position he might have.
Tinubu was concerned that democracy cannot grow with a dominant single party and a splintering of mushroom parties. He put into the struggle his mental, material and physical resources to the point of endangering his health. In the end, he considered the good of the nation and pulled himself out of consideration for a slot on the ticket.
This is the mark of statesmanship and APC owes Asiwaju a deep sense of gratitude. As a man of his words, I have no doubt that he will work assiduously for the success of the party in February to the disappointment of his traducers.
