The
essence of partisan politics is to assemble a winning leadership
team which can mobilize and distribute national resources
in ways that can enhance societal peace, justice and prosperity
for all citizens. It should be assumed that all the political
parties that are contesting in this round of general elections
share this vision to some extent. At least, most of them profess
to be so committed publicly. Nigerian democracy blossomed
with the registration of up to 30 political parties thereby
providing ample outlets for the average citizen to express
oneself, act out political wishes and pursue noble dreams
for a better nation. The acid test for Nigerian democracy
is the 2003 general elections. Without inhibition, the nation’s
political parties have gone to the electorate to ask for mandate
to govern for the next 4 years. Preparation and conduct of
the elections have not been hitch-free, as is usually the
case but INEC is generally seen to have played the role of
an impartial referee. Lethal violence has marred the electoral
exercise in some places and allegations of rigging of votes
are galore.
Some
outcome of 2003 general elections could not have been predicted
only a few months ago. PDP’s near clean sweep of the
Southwest zone and retention of control of the rest of the
South provide the ruling party an unprecedented political
muscle to deliver its will for Nigeria, if it could, in the
next 4 years. AD, which to a great extent motivated the founding
of its counterpart in the East, APGA, has been castrated and
rendered impotent after it has lost the control of all the
governorship positions it held with the exception of Lagos.
APGA has unexpectedly failed to make any tangible inroad in
its target base of the Southeast. The ANPP has been stripped
of its control of Kwara thereby leaving its scope of influence
restricted to the deep North. In order words, the ANPP has
effectively been downgraded to a regional party by the outcome
of the 2003 general elections.
All
states of the Southeast remain firmly under control of the
ruling party. This disposition augurs well for those who desire
to build block solidarity between Igbo states and the contiguous
states in Southsouth zone which are similarly under the aegis
of the PDP. Planning and establishment of regional economic
cooperative ventures in infrastructure, for example, as well
as collaborative political agenda will certainly be much easier
under a unifying party platform. Internally, Igbo political
leadership in power in the Southeast will not have to traverse
party lines in relating with one another. The PDP now stands
tall head and shoulder above the crowd of opposition parties
in the area, some of which are expected to eventually pitter
out of existence due to lack of resources for self-sustenance.
All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) made a heroic effort to
position itself as the Igbo party, whatever that was intended
to convey to the average citizen. Its failure to garner groundswell
of support from the Igbo electorate during recent elections
could be interpreted as a sort of rejection of the party’s
raison d’etre. The electorate may have tried to assert
through their votes that the victorious candidates of Southeast
origin in other national parties are Ndiigbo too who can also
do good by our people under present circumstances. The next
4 years shall be very trying ones for APGA if it can ever
succeed in establishing a niche for itself within the consciousness
of the average Igbo. The 2003 general elections have helped
it to make its intentions known publicly. In the coming months
and years, it must proceed to flesh out its agenda and programs
clearly enough to make it irresistible to the average Igbo.
The prospects for this neophyte party can become quite bright
if it can successfully package its message and also distance
itself from closely identifying with public figures whose
track record could detract rather than enhance the party’s
image nationwide.
PDP
governors of the Southeast now constitute the bona fide political
leadership of the zone and they must step up to play this
role with a visible sense of commitment. The Ohanaeze, as
presently constituted, has been badly bruised by its unsuccessful
push for Igbo presidency in 2003. The idea, though noble intrinsically,
was derailed by poor planning and execution. Ohanaeze leadership
worked itself into a confrontational stance with the now re-elected
governors of the Southeast and the President ostensibly to
shore up its pursuit of the Igbo presidency project. The leadership
of this apex Igbo group, though sociocultural in outlook,
opted to play in the political terrain and lost out. The task
ahead is for Ohanaeze leaders to quickly find the way to make
up with the victorious politicians of the Southeast or resign
their positions to allow for fresh blood to take over the
mantle of leadership. It is unlikely that there will be harmonious
relationship between the Ohanaeze Ndiigbo and Southeast governors
if neither of the above options is implemented by present
leadership of the apex Igbo body.
The
conclusion of 2003 general elections provides a fresh opportunity
for Ndiigbo and their political leaders to commence a new
coherent endeavor to improve the quality of lives of our people.
For any headway to be made in a timely manner, everyone concerned
should be made to understand what has to be done and how we
shall proceed. More than anytime in recent history, there
is a need for a clear agenda for Ndiigbo. Presently, there
are disparate and dissonant voices of groups and individuals
on the best way to move Ndiigbo forward. Some Igbo groups
devote their energies on seeking ways and means to dissociate
Alaigbo from Nigeria if possible. On the other hand, millions
of Ndiigbo are scattered throughout the length and breadth
of Nigeria where they pursue their survival needs amidst compatriots
from myriad sociocultural backgrounds. Ndiigbo cannot present
a coherent group agenda with this type of dichotomous mindset.
Beyond partisan idiosyncrasies, personal and group ideologies,
there is a common denominator that links Ndiigbo to their
survival needs in today’s Nigeria and world.
Ndiigbo
must meet face to face, from across party lines and ideological
divides, to find that common denominator. This is the ultimate
challenge for Ndiigbo in this post-election era.
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