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Nigeria: Political Associations Vs Political Ideology By Leonard Karshima Shilgba, PhD
Formation of political associations in Nigeria has been almost as old as Nigeria. Those who have come together to form such associations since the political entity called Nigeria came into being, do so for various reasons.
As a people, we have never lacked names for political parties that have emerged from associations. The Nigerian political landscape is therefore cluttered with the tombs of many a political party in the past.
To a keen observer of political intrigue and practice in Nigeria, it is not a difficult conclusion that politicians generally form political parties for the dominant purpose of contesting and winning elections rather than as vehicles for coordinating development efforts on the basis of some deep political and economic conviction-ideology.
The Nigerian news media is quick to celebrate every emerging political gathering of old and “experienced” politicians with all manner of superlatives, without a clinical analysis as to whether such gatherings have a foundation for altruistic endurance. Such a foundation is necessary because a selfish and hateful motivation for any human cause is hardly a strong foundation to build upon for the general good.
Let us go down memory lane and chronicle political formations and coalitions in Nigeria. Nigeria has had so many political associations and parties since becoming a nation that one would naturally lose count. Some have died no sooner than they sprouted up.
Before political independence in 1960, real political parties existed, namely the Northern People’s Congress (NPC)-North-dominated; the Action Group (AG)-South-West-dominated; National Convention of Nigerian Citizens –as it came to be called after 1960-(NCNC)-South-East-dominated. Why do I call those “real” political parties? It was clear what each stood for and where clear differences existed between them beyond mere ethnic preponderance.
The NPC, for instance was very conservative and not so inclined towards a hurried exit of the British colonial masters. The AG was more socialist in view with Marxist doctrinal beliefs that the state should be paternalistic. The NCNC could be referred to as liberal, with a moderate stance on issues, and maybe this accounted for its significant following in the South-West. Maybe strong fiscal federalism with strong regions after independence strengthened the political parties as each strove to produce results in the regions of dominance. The regions had responsibilities like Health and Education, leaving the center to take care of Finance, International Relations, Customs, Immigration, and national security.
Although the NPC, NCNC, and AG could be referred to as strong political parties with strong and discernible political beliefs in their time, not long after political independence in 1960, splinter groups started emerging within the ranks, not so much because of significant ideological differences as clashes in personal ambitions of political gladiators. So, in the South-West, the clash between Awolowo and Akintola resulted in the formation of the United People’s Party (UPP), later re-named the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). In the North, the Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU) emerged from the NPC.
Before the first legislative elections since political independence, which took place in December 1964, two grand alliances were formed between the now five political parties, namely, the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) consisting of the NPC and the NNDP; and the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) consisting of the NCNC, AG, and NEPU. The UPGA, which lost to the NNA.
After the military interregnums of 1966-1979 and 1984-1999 true fiscal federalism became crippled, giving rise to the deformed copy we have today. The political parties that have emerged (and died) between 1979 and now have not stood up to the standard of true political parties.
True political parties, like an individual person, must have a recognizable personality and character (ideology). Looking at the mushroom of political parties-so-called-we have in Nigeria today, there should be no cause for celebration of another in the offing, especially when the players are re-cycles from the existing parties whose only reason for attempting to form new parties is to regain the power and influence they have lost where they are coming from.
The time has come for Nigerian elite to refuse to be deceived by political prostitution which is rampant among our politicians, who go into politics only for themselves and by themselves. Political parties should be seen as vehicles for national development where disciplined commitment to good governance is an addiction for the national good.
The Movement for Defence of Democracy (MDD) was formed recently with a professed commitment to end “dictatorship” in Nigeria and “rescue democracy” for the people. Another group called Movement for Restoration of Democracy (MRD) claims that the MDD has “hijacked” its “affairs”. There are so many associations and ‘pressure groups” in Nigeria that one could hardly give an accurate number. I think this is a big joke. The ever increasing number of those “pressure groups” in Nigeria today is an indication that there is no credible opposition in Nigeria.
When one talks of opposition group in a country, it goes beyond some flowery speeches and “resolutions” and “communiqués” at meetings held all over the country. It has to do with well organized machinery that criticizes intelligently, praises carefully, and provides nimble alternatives of governance, management, and execution. I see no such machinery in Nigeria today. What I see are pretenders who make unnecessary noises just to get some negotiated “settlement” from people in the corridors of power, if they can deceive them into believing they command a reasonable political following that may prejudice political interests of political rivals.
In 2004, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) was reported as saying that instead of always lampooning the PDP-ruling party’s policies, they should get their acts together and show by practice, in the ANPP-controlled States how to govern and produce dividends for the people. Nothing has happened since this grand declaration to show that the ANPP has put its words into action.
When do we start discouraging unproductive words in our society? When will the Nigerian news media stop giving prominent news attention to those political gamblers? As things stand today in Nigerian political theatre, the key actor is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and any serious and intelligent politician knows this. Every nation practicing power devolution through the ballot needs at least one credible and strong political party.
Today, PDP is the party, and everyone that loses influence in PDP would want to form or join a political association and pretend to be defending democracy. So long as they were influential in the ruling party, they showed other people the way out of the party with impunity and acted as gods. These are selfish people who should not be taken seriously. Even some who very recently lost some appointments in the PDP-government have turned themselves into Defenders of Democracy, who are ready to rescue Democracy from PDP’s deadly claws. I laugh and wonder that intelligent Nigerians could take such people seriously. The simple truth is that for the 2007 elections at least, no political party in Nigeria today can wrestle power from the PDP.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Aaron Sharon resigned this week from the leadership position of his ruling Likud party to form his own party. This man was a founding member of the Likud party, yet he did what he did. Many MP’s have chosen to go with him as well as five cabinet Ministers; and his new party is scheduled to contest elections that will come up very soon. This is a courageous move by a leader who felt he was not able to persuade his party to wholly accept his programs. He has not left because he has been removed from party or elective position by his party.
It is cowardice for a Nigerian politician to say he will remain or professes and insists he still is a member of the ruling PDP or any other party and then goes to form political associations to fight his party. This is indiscipline that should not be allowed to continue if we are to build an attractive political culture and institutions that will attract otherwise apolitical Nigerians who have services to offer the nation. One is either in a party and submits to the laws of that party or he quits and joins another or forms his own party. It is political rascality to put one leg in a party and continue causing all sorts of problems for that party in the name of political opposition or defence of democracy.
The hypocrisy is that someone will hurl insults on his own party in Nigeria, make all sorts of unprintable allegations against his party and yet refuse to honorably leave that party, claiming they were founding members of the party and so would not leave it for people that did not labor to form it. This attitude is not helping the peace of the nation. We see it in PDP, AD, APGA, ANPP etc. For the sake of the nation, if those politicians ever think of Nigeria, anyone who despises his party and sees it as undemocratic in practice, should leave and form his party and demonstrate the democratic practice of his dream or join one of the other political parties, which in his opinion, is very democratic.
The unnecessary noises-threats, meetings of “defenders of democracy” against one’s ruling party- are distracting enough for economic reforms, developmental efforts and even political reforms.
Whatever political reforms brought about by the ruling PDP that could instill discipline will be welcome by true lovers of Nigeria. I personally do not see any reason why members of a party who are working to subvert the party’s political capital should be registered as members. I do not see how members of a party who cannot accept discipline by their party should be welcomed back to the fold. No organization can survive without discipline. Since in Nigeria today, the PDP is the dominant party, what happens there should concern all concerned Nigerians.
My advice to PDP members who are aggrieved for being left out in the cold is that they either leave quietly and build their political fortunes elsewhere or stay in the PDP and conduct themselves as decent and useful members of their party and Nigeria, whether they are given positions of power or not. They should work with their elected legislators at both State and National level to sponsor bills for national development and political equity. They should help aspirants within their party whom they know can deliver, to win elections. In working for others to succeed, they will find living very enjoyable.
THIRD TERM AGITATION:
Before I conclude let me make some thoughts known on the agitation in the land on third term for Mr. President and Governors.
Is third term for President Obasanjo a moral issue, political matter, or economic expedience? I believe arguments will vary as people do. The one fact is that the existing constitution of Nigeria does not provide for a third term for a President or Governor of a State. However, there is an amendment provision in section 9 to any section of the constitution. The process is torrid, and deliberately so. If this process is followed and an amendment effected which makes a third term or interminable term possible for a President or Governor, the issue is no more immoral but moral and constitutional. This will be a constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which all sitting Governors and Presidents will be required to uphold and defend. Furthermore, the procedure for amendment is political. The economic expedience is subjective and not of constitutional essence.
Another question is this: Will it be appropriate for the National and State assemblies to effect an amendment at this time before 2007, especially if such would be beneficial to the sitting President? I answer as follows: It is not inappropriate to amend any section of the Constitution at any given time, at least the extant Constitution has no such restrictions. Besides, any amendment at anytime will be under some sitting President and State Governors; and a similar charge can be made if any amendment will benefit a sitting President.
Given the stature of President Obasanjo as a spokesman for Africa on good governance, the rule of law, and economic emancipation, would it erode seriously his standing in the international community if on amendment of the constitution to make it constitutionally acceptable, he decides to run for the Presidency the third time in 2007?
The answer to this is straight forward. The President has stated his position this year on the CNN when he was pointedly asked if he would run for the Presidency the third time. He gave that answer; he said he would uphold the constitution and never do anything that would be unconstitutional. I watched his lips when he said it was unconstitutional under the existing Nigerian Constitution, to run the third time.
The onus is now on the States and National Assemblies. Should they amend the Constitution which allows a third time run, the President would be doing nothing UNCONSTITUTIONAL if he chooses to run. His international credibility will not be diminished if he runs. His credibility will only take a dive if the elections are adjudged rigged. But should Nigerians under the amended constitution vote for President Obasanjo in a free and fair election, his stature will never be dented, but rather take a polishing if he further runs a government of transparency, prudent expenditure, and the fruits of the ongoing reforms start and continue tumbling in.
The Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly represent all Nigerians-both those that voted for them and those that didn’t. The truth is that if opponents of third term for Mr. President and the State Governors fail to convince those Nigerian legislators to their side, all meetings to “defend Democracy”, “Restore Democracy” or stop the amendment will come to naught. I have said before that the Legislature is an awesome arm of government in a democracy. Our Legislators deserve our sympathy, counsel, and patronage and not our mockery.
My guess is this: If the National Assembly gets the two-third majority in support of a third or whatever term for the President and State Governor, it would not be difficult to get 24 State Assemblies behind the idea, especially when State Governors are also beneficiaries.
Finally, I appeal to the Nigerian news media to tell us more what the National and State Assemblies are doing about Constitutional amendment, including the third term issue, instead of what some wingless politicians gallivanting all over Nigeria are saying about “fighting” the issue. If they have not got National and State assembly members on their side, they should shut up. And if they have, they should quietly observe the defeat of any motion for a third term so that they will truly celebrate then. Is it not true that empty vessels make the loudest noise?
Leonard Karshima Shilgba, PhD. Yokohama. Japan.
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