KENNETH O. EZE
THE Nigerian political space may be described as toxic currently, especially with accusing fingers pointing in different directions with respect to the worsening insecurity in the nation.
In all of this, however, it is imperative not to rubbish the sacrifices and efforts by the country’s heroes to birth and sustain democracy in Nigeria since 1999. While civil rule needs improvement, no doubt, not a few people opine that it is better than, perhaps, the best military regime. This is why all hands must be on deck to sustain democracy in Nigeria.
Oftentimes, people blame voters for observed lapses in the quality of leaders that the country has had over the years. While some contend that the system (electoral process) frustrates voters, and even the candidates, many agree with the notion that the beauty of democracy remains the power of the electorate.
This has been demonstrated several times in Nigeria. From the famous June 12, 1993 election, to the recent Edo State (September 19, 2020) poll and the Ondo State (October 10, 2020) gubernatorial elections, the electorate and the Independent National Electoral Commission have demonstrated enough resolve and transparency to retain hope in democracy.
Given that the Nigerian electoral cycle is four years and that a large chunk of the current class of elected politicians have already spent more than half of their tenure, the time has come for the country to focus on who should be voted into what
position, come 2023, despite the seeming chaos in the land.
Along the streets of Nigeria, it is difficult to win an argument supporting the performance of the present All Progressives Congress, particularly at the federal level. Yet, political permutations indicate that power at the centre is likely to remain with the APC beyond 2023.
Daily occurrences indicate that it is intellectually tasking to separate Nigerian politicians along party affiliations. The nation is inundated with politicians, even those occupying elected positions, changing political parties like ‘undies’. There have also been incidents to suggest that politicians hitherto labelled ‘corrupt’ are easily able to dry-clean that label by a mere change of political parties.
This rampant change of political parties by gladiators has left the public with little choice but to believe that the average Nigerian politician is in the game merely for selfish resons. In other climes, politicians talk about party loyalty and supremacy, but in Nigeria, it is perceived that the individual reigns supreme.
Be that as it may, the people must begin to ponder, carefully, on how to salvage the situation. The performance of the political class, many contend, has contributed in no small measure to fueling agitations for ethnic nationalism, crime, religious upheaval and other vices, now plaguing the country.
Salvaging the situation would mean making a careful choice, particularly of leaders at the federal level. Nigeria’s experience during the brief spells of late Gen Murtala Muhammed (July 1975-February 1976) and late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (May 2007-May 2010), are clear pointers to the fact that when the head is good, the entire body benefits.
While the political stage remains relatively calm, with many politicians, still believed to be weighing their options, a certain Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello of Kogi State, has been more in the news as regards 2023 Presidency than any of those being touted as possible contenders.
Not that he has publicly declared his intention to run, but the activities of those who have continued to call on him to run have been have continued to throw him up as a Governor to watch closely as people continue to clamour for a paradigm shift.
There is nothing wrong in giving what smells like a new breed and a ray of hope a chance, particularly if the Governor is able to point at enough achievements as Kogi State governor, to merit a higher assignment.
Having been able to stabilise his state, with the multi-faceted challenges he met on ground, for six years, may strengthen the arguments of those who are of the opinion that the new bloc in the current leadership of Nigeria should be given a chance to do things differently from the usual ways of those who analysts said had been recycled for years as leaders.
Many would argue that security is the primary duty of the government. Even the Nigerian constitution provides so. The relative peace that Kogi State has been enjoying since Bello became the governor, has continued attracting the nods and approval of those who know. This is remarkable, given that most other states that surround Kogi have been in relative turmoil. From Niger, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Ekiti and Ondo State, to Enugu State and Anambra State, among others, who share boundaries with Kogi, all appear to have been in competition for who would outdo the other on issues of insecurity, in recent times.
Another area where he has demonstrated leadership capacity is in then inclusion of women in governance, though not many would readily see this as an achievement. The United Nations is of the position that the more countries offer women more opportunities to participate in governance, the more they enjoy stability.
Looking beyond elective positions in politics, the UN averred, “The future is better with women at every table where decisions are being made.”
Bello did not just offer women opportunities across board, all the local government areas in Kogi State have women as Vice Chair persons. He is on record as the first executive governor in Nigeria to appoint a woman as ADC, aside from the fact that his SSG is also a woman.
Advocates of federal character are of the opinion that if Bello as governor of a multi-ethnic state could galvanise the different ethnic groups for state interests, and demonstrate willingness to offer women numerous opportunities, he was likely to replicate it at national level, by according the various ethnic nationalities a level of equity that can sooth frayed nerves and bring down the cotton on ethnic nationalism, which in no small way has fueled tension in the country.
Kenneth Eze is Deputy Editor at The Point.
