Finally the All Progressives Congress, APC is all out for its congresses across the federation. The ward and Local Government congresses have held to elect delegates on one hand; ward and local government party executives on the other. The party activity has come with its own frailties. Violence here and there. Then confusion and in some cases parallel elections did take place. Were these expected, yes of course! Was this why some of that party’s chieftains hesitated and even attempted not to hold a constitutionally bound activity maybe or maybe not. But this is democracy, we are still struggling with it, so far, it appears to be the best form of government. That’s the reason it is tenured, so that changes can happen and corrections can be made.
All the same, we have equally witnessed needless deaths. To be fair, they are few and far between. Yet there must not be spilling of blood if the reason for election is to choose those who can lead. Politics is often a thankless exercise. It is normal for those not in it to have all the answers to all societal problems. Put them there, they fumble and leave everyone in disappointment. Nobody needs to die as a result of election. Nobody needs to be injured much less die because of intra party congresses. But reports tell of a few deaths here and there. Party members in a do-or-die mode and in the processes preferring death to votes. That is primitive. How much did the prevarication by party officials contribute to this?
That is what brings us to the hopelessness of the initial intention of the party. The party hierarchy had promoted a maintenance of the status quo. No congresses, no elections and no change of guards. It sounded noble at the beginning but soon went awry. When placed against scrutiny it appeared self-serving. The executives of the party at all levels were elected for a four year, renewable tenure. Four years will come to the end in June, 2018. the party was supposed to put machinery in place to conduct the congresses. But they hesitated. they sold the idea of tenure elongation by a year to their National Executive Council. It was bought, but not for long. This back and forth stalled a genuine preparation for congresses. Instead of finding time to mend cracks and all, these gaps were allowed to fester.
It is the festering gaps that gave rise to disaffection following the party congresses. Most of the anomalies shouldn’t have happened if the leadership was proactive and sincere. But they were not. We will be lying if we expect a smooth congress from around the country. No. But we will also be pretending if we do not acknowledge the positive strides of this party since the election of this outgoing executive. For example, since 1999, this is the first time, a major political party will have its executive complete its tenure of four years. It has never happened before. The tenure is always truncated and usually from state or Federal Government authorities. A party like Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its years as the ruling party never had a party executive spend more than two years. It was always a few months to a year and half. There was such a loud destabilisation and it didn’t allow the party to grow.
If only the APC leadership by that token taken steps to ensure that party members are reconciled and plan for congresses were in full steam, it would have been an all round success. Yet again, we have to make do with what we have. The party needs to build on whatever successes it recorded in the two congresses so far held. The state congresses and national convention should be better put together. We are watching. This is the governing party, as a result so much is expected. Their success will signpost what next year’s general elections is going to look like, says critics. Although INEC is the one conducting those elections, but it is understandable if people are apprehensive. The government has the capacity to stall the process if they cannot manage their own internal exercise. APC must do better in the remaining congresses to put other stakeholders’ minds at rest as we steadily match towards 2019.
