Nkem Nwanneka
Hedgehogs are not porcupines and lizards are not crocodiles, simply because they look alike.
One of the disadvantages of multi – party democratic system like ours is bandwagonism. Political Party ticket holders build on the goodwill of another fellow Political Party ticket holder or an influential member to attain victory in an election.
We are also aware that one of the banes of our underdevelopment as a people is the focus on strong individuals instead of strong institutions. When this is brought to bear in the political arena, it can make or mar another individual who is fortunate to belong to such institution vis-a-vis Political Party.
Since our Political Party system is not ideologically inclined, we cannot really attribute the performance and/or underperformance of a government to all the members of the Party, especially new individuals aspiring for political office with such Party. In Nigeria of today, we have APC Governors who performed very well, same for PDP.
The Nigerian First Republic and to some extent, the Second Republic are replete with examples of people who rose to power through the influence of political leaders at the time. Hence, as an aspiring leader, if you’re in the Eastern region and get the endorsement of Chief Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; you’re 80% certain of victory. Same applies for Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Ahmadu Bello of the Western and Northern Regions respectively.
In the 1979 elections, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi and Alhaji Balarabe Musa rose on the goodwill of Alhaji Aminu Kano on the platform of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) – a relatively smaller Party to become the Governors of Kano and Kaduna States respectively, against the influential National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Similar fate happened on the young Jim Nwobodo and Dede Sam Mbakwe as they capitalised on the influence of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe to become the Governors of Anambra and Imo States under the National People’s Party (NPP). Not forgetting a very young James Ajibola Ige who capitalised on the influence of Chief Obafemi Awolowo to govern mighty Oyo State under United Party of Nigeria (UPN).
The shortlived Third Republic was not left, especially in our dear Enugu State where Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo using the influence of his elder brother, Chief Joe Nwodo to become the number one citizen of the State. The Fourth Republic in 1999 has it’s own fair share of similar scenario. Their achievements in office, be it positive or negative cannot and should not be ascribed to their “godfathers”.
However, this bandwagon effect manifested more in 2015 when an alliance between South-West political bloc led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Northern bloc led by Gen Muhammadu Buhari formed what came to be known as the All Progressive Congress (APC) to wrestle power from the incumbent People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
With the adoption of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the APC Presidential candidate and his “Sanctimonious Sainthood” status among the talakawas and coupled with the prevailing alleged realities at the time, our people created a bandwagon by electing majority of APC candidates, thinking they were the Saviours Nigeria needed. Almost 8 years down the line, a lot of Nigerians are regretting that action. They were overpowered by emotions!
To them then, everything and everyone in PDP is corrupt and unfit to rule. Nigerian voters disregarded every call for competence, capacity, capability and credibility, irrespective of the Party. They refused to interrogate and probe into those things hidden behind the curtain, but rather allowed their emotions take greater part of their discerning mind! Even when it was clear those “beautiful bride” they chase once ate and were even eating with the former groom, albeit secretly! They forgot that there are good and bad people everywhere, in every institution!!
We’re at that same crossroad again. The slogan now is vote out PDP, vote out APC. Whereas, those who populate those beautiful bride parties were formerly in APC and PDP. Our people are advised to heed the admonition of our Lord Jesus Christ who cautioned us not to pour a new wine in an old wine skin.
In Enugu State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has presented to the people a man who rose from a very humble background to the top echelon of the private sector. He is in the same irk with His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, who came from the private sector to perform magic in Anambra State using the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Mr Obi acknowledged this fact when he visited Enugu State and advised we don’t pick our next Governor from among the regular politicians!!
Someone must back somebody, it’s normal in politics. Chief Jim Nwobodo and co supported Dr Chimaroke Nnamani in 1999; Dr Nnamani supported Barr Sullivan Chime in 2007; Barr Chime supported Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in 2015; same way is Rt Hon Ugwuanyi supporting Barr Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in 2023. None can claim the performance and/or underperformance of the other. Each performed according to their various capacities!
At a close interaction with Barr Mbah, you have no other option than to be convinced of his willingness to deliver the pathway to our growth trajectory and development. Interrogate his manifesto with an open discerning mind, you will see the stuff in stock for the people.
As we approach March 11 Gubernatorial election in our Enugu State, I implore our people to eschew emotions while casting their vote. In the words of Yerucham Amitai, former Deputy Chief of Israeli Airforce; “survival in other circumstances is not survival at all. And all of us, whatever our race, won’t be worth a dime if we buy our lives at the cost of our conscience”. And I add, we may at the end, not like the outcome. This is because just as change is the only permanent thing on earth, but atimes, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
The Jews didn’t believe in the messianic status of Jesus Christ, because Jesus didn’t play politics by Herod’s rules. He changed the rules. He inspired new political hopes and new forms of political action. Barr Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, is not your regular politician; he’s different from the old order. He has promised ndi Enugu State a new era of Disruptive Innovation. He will govern Enugu State to the tenets of that phrase! Let our bandwagon be for competence and capacity, not Political Party. Let’s choose our best irrespective of the Political Party they belong.
Nwanneka is a Public Affairs Analyst and writes from Trans Ekulu, Enugu!!
Hawk Daily News 
Leave a comment