By Theophilus Keme
What a time to be a member of the ruling Party, a time where it all seem it will be difficult to ever be defeated by another political party in the states. A time that the mere display of identity of being in the ruling party automatically gives one that national immunity. For a political statesman, it grants the readiness and opens in unlimited doors of opportunities for members of cabinet to give them a listening ear easily than their other political counterpart. This political time has arguably become APC. As the All Progressive Congress has become a nightmare to Atiku and the rest of his political clan in the federation.
This Party-collaboration/coalition that Atiku Abubakar is proposing which is fast gathering momentum at a time when elections are over is something we really need to understand. As I don’t want to assume this to being a ‘Political-Tortoise’ game that Baba wish to play with everyone else. Because Tortoise-Games are those games in which tortoise champions adventures, incidents and master mind plots to quest hero. And this, as it is well known even though it may be fictional and folktale; that the character of tortoise is deceptive, a trickster in general, who uses deception in defeating characters in folktales. So I think we all should really be concerned if this is what baba is doing.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar proposing a united-opposition after 2023 elections are concluded is a serious thing to look at, as being a practicing Muslim I hope whatever the reason is Alhaji fears god enough not to teach the upcoming political class who are looking up to him, and believed in his political capacity the wrong things to learn.
In my opinion, there’s no way does the reason of this seem to make sense, as I don’t understand if it is his best strategy to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku had warned against the likelihood of Nigeria slipping to a one-party state and asked the opposition to close ranks. (Note; PDP had ruled 16 years consecutively before APC, and it only seem now that it feels like a one-party state)
The appeal to close ranks at this early time of the season where it is possible that the zeal of coalition members may die even before they start activities. it all seem too early and kind of too late if you ask me, if at all coalition succeeds in the first place.
As I brainstorm what possible use can Party collaboration/ alliance do for any of them at this moment. I strongly want to doubt that it can be any threat to the APC Party & it’s government not even for the remaining three and half years to 2027 election, should the proposed coalition be successful, that’s if APC don’t begin working right now on tearing the merger apart.
According to Atiku and other Party executives whom have considered coalition, “the coalition wants to offer strong opposition for the good of Nigeria. As their duty is to offer alternative solutions to government policies.”
With how things are currently, I honestly wouldn’t blame any politician or member in NASS who leaves their Party to defect to the APC. As a matter of fact it may currently seem like the wise thing to do if a politician don’t wish to sit idle in the chambers. As a Senator or member of Rep from another Party, it is a general fact that there is barely a means that they would be carried along on the affairs & details of the country if they are outside the ruling party regardless of a democratic system. As no matter how much they shout ‘Nay’ in the chambers, if the APC say ‘Aye’, the APC gets the win, considering they are majority in both chambers while the others wallow in frustration and idleness even as their various constituents begin to call them out of being incapable to ever propose a bill or be a better representative.
Like what Pa -Obasanjo had said; “Democracy In Nigeria is in shambles”. This literally mean ‘Nobody fears nobody again in this country not even the rule of law.’ This I totally agree with OBJ even though his political school of thought has become questionable due to controversial roles he has played of late.
Whilst the different party still brainstorm on the respective agreeable terms they would agree on before a coalition. It is my earnest desire that the nations interest be placed first before their selfish and egotistic political interest. That regardless I remain with the arguable assertion. “What a time to be a member of the ruling Party”
