Nigerian politicians seem determined, from all indications, to wrap the country’s contributions to the evolution of democratic governance, in infamy. Where, the country once stood as a beacon of hope for the black race, the present crop of political leaders seems out to rubbish any hope, that anything good can come out of Nigeria, especially in the present age.
The brazen assault on basic principles and value of decency by characters elected into prime political offices, has become too steep, that redemption is almost out of sight. In truth, the present rot in Nigeria’s political system should not be a surprise. The rule of garbage in, garbage out is still valid. Expectation that individuals whose past and profile are mired in one malfeasance or another, should, on getting to a political office, transform into new creatures, with brand new wholesome character and inclination, is actually naïve. Curiously, that is predominantly, what Nigerians do repeatedly. They consistently build their hope that some Barabbas will turn into a redeemer once he gets to a political office, either as president, governor. legislator or an appointed prime official. It has never turned out that way.
It has become extremely difficult to find any aspect of the fundamental structure of true democracy, which has not been corrupted in Nigeria at the moment. Euphemistically, these corrosive conducts are called politics. In reality, however, they are, either treachery or manifestation of some other character deficiencies, that are dangerous for good governance.
When, recently, the leadership of the National Assembly, totally breached the Constitution, at a critical juncture, where the legislature was called upon to decide on the critical issue of State of Emergency in River State, one more major damage was done to constitutionalism in the country. There were only few muted protestations of the illegality, both among the legislators and from the larger society, beyond the now totally muzzled real opposition voices. Nigeria moved on. Sadly, after any of such constitutional breach and assault on fundamental principles of good governance and law, what you have, is a case of a dead entity walking. It takes consuming dishonesty not to see that Nigeria is badly wobbling, steadily being undermined by those who called themselves, or were called to serve her interest.
The pathetic state of the judiciary, has, of course, being decried, mourned and given upon on. Many of the courts and judges, do not even seem to care anymore about what the public thinks, or what the future may say about them. The era of judges keeping a long distance between themselves and politicians has now gone. The only thing that remains, is for some judges to be found at fund raising event of politicians and political leaders. Even this no longer seems far-fetched. A number of their lordships comfortably cosy up to top politicians in public, then resume their reserved apolitical seats the next morning, from where they give judgment on sensitive matters. The thrust of such judgment has never disappointed, not the public and certainly, not the paddies of their lordships. And Nigeria moves on.
It makes sense that the blight of indiscipline and value corrosion that has been sown to undermine democracy in Nigeria, will aim first at the root of the political structure – the political parties. Undermined, both from within and from outside, most of the present political parties in Nigeria are, at best, empty shells. At best, they exist, as platforms to negotiate and sell off whatever the hands of their officials can reach. During primaries, they sell tickets of the party to the highest bidder. There is hardly any consideration for fidelity to whatever the values of the party are supposed to be. There is hardly any political party in the country at the moment that obeys its own rules. After party primaries, the party leaders move on to open negotiations with opposition parties, with a view to trading off their own candidates and interests, for whoever offers higher price. It is acceptable. It has become, not a thing of shame and reprimand, but a mark of strength, to see a top member of a political party, bragging opening that he worked against his party’s candidate during the last election. Such is the rot and shamelessness that has overtaken the Nigerian political system. There is no other society or country where such indiscipline and treachery are celebrated. And Nigeria moves on.
The era in which Solomon D. Lar, Adisa Akinloye, Waziri Ibrahim and their tribe, held sway as party chairmen has since gone in history. In those days, presidents and governors are beholden to party chairman. Elected political office holders report to party offices for meetings. Party chairmen did not hang around at State houses, waiting to catch a glimpse of the head of the executive. If a party were to enter into an alliance with another party, the leadership of the two or three parties painstakingly work out details of the accord. Whatever arrangement they reach guide what the elected office holders do, both at the executive and legislative ends. The party was supreme. There was order and decency. Not anymore.
Few weeks ago, Dr. Bukola Saraki, former president of the Senate, had cause to repudiate a media report, which ascribed to him, a statement that not less than six or so governors of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were clandestinely working for President Bola Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC), towards Tinubu’s second term bid. With barely two years into his tenure and so much, overwhelmingly so much yet to do, the focus has not been how to get Tinubu to perform well, but how to get him re-elected in 2027. This, is not even the issue here.
The report ascribed to Saraki said he had expressed unwillingness to subscribe to any opposition alignment, because the PDP governors were either moles or not ready to fund the party. Saraki’s media team dismissed the report, insisting it did not come from him.
That repudiation by the former senate president notwithstanding, the substance of the report is steadily being borne out as true. The fact of PDP presently being peopled by openly anti-PDP elements, is not hidden. It remains uncertain the type of surgical operation that can save PDP, without the party dying at the operating table. Sadly, a major part of the root of the PDP’s ailment started with the party’s strong men refusing to obey the basic rules of the party. Interestingly too, the major protagonists of the crisis that have laid the party prostrate, are all guilty.
Last week however, that which the report ascribed to Saraki muted, substantially got confirmed. Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, a pastor, elected on the platform of the PDP declared openly that he has endorsed and is working for APC president Tinubu. Pastor Eno says he does not know how to speak from two sides of his mouth. He does not, however, see anything wrong in having two of his hands in his mouth at the same time. The governor remains in PDP. By his position, he will be attending the strategy and operational planning meetings of PDP at the highest level. A party that has not been able to take a definitive stance on who its Secretary is, will, for sure, not have the strength to ask a governor that has publicly declared his allegiance to an opposition party, to excuse it. What an incestuous, treacherous society!
There is nothing that prevents Governor Eno from clinically separating himself from PDP and declaring for APC. That will be the path of honour, especially for a pastor. But honour has a different definition in Nigeria.
Now, it has turned out, again, in line with the story, Saraki repudiated, that no less than three other PDP governors, are said to be mulling joining APC. Mark you, all these governors, are already working for Tinubu and APC, to all intents and purposes. The governors mentioned are Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Siminalayi Fubara of River State, in addition to Eno of Akwa Ibom State. Everyone understands the case of Fubara. His is a case of a hostage, doing everything possible to regain his freedom, so not much should be made of his matter.
If ever there was any uncertainty about the total ruination of the political system and process in Nigeria, the debacle is now confirmed. With governors elected from a major opposition party now openly canvassing support for their nemesis, and their party leadership incapable of sanctioning them, the putrid character of what Nigeria calls its democracy has become clear.
Obviously, for almost all of these governors, it is all about personal political survival. But must a man die to principles to survive politically?