Discursive on Nigeria’s politics (part two)

CURRENTLY, IT IS ALMOST NOT SO WITH SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR PARTIES like, PDP, AC, APGA and ANPP (Note that the listing order is neither according to their popularity nor strength). The Peoples democratic parties does not, from it name, profess to be home for any particular political philosophy. This is even worse for AC. Remove the progressive personalities in it and what you have is a meaningless name as far as names for political parties goes. The name will sit well on pressure groups and youth centred NGO. It should have read something like action congress of progressives or liberals or even congress of progressives. As it is, its action is neither for progressives nor republicans. It is yet to answer one of the economic questions of, for whom? For ANPP, it is house of commotion as it is for all Nigerians including, brainless idiots. Amongst these popular parties, the one that is rooted in ideology is APGA. Its name clearly identifies it as home for progressives. All they have to do according to my proposal for becoming a political is to go and tell a minimum of one million persons that this is what is possible if you invest your future with us.

THE BENEFITS OF A VALUE DRIVEN PARTY ARE MANY FOLDS. For one, it will ensure a continuity of programs in the event of a candidate from the same party succeeding one. And even in a worst case scenario were the party loses, you can foretell the changes that it would engender based on the known stand of the victorious party less the idiosyncrasies of the flag-bearer. This aids planning; both for every sector: business, education and politics, itself.

THE PARTIES, NEED NOT OPERATE LIKE THE NEWSPAPERS IN NIGERIA—same news items, editorial piece—with little or no distinction, all celebrating the reconstructed roads and renovated buildings. They must be anchored on something with higher value. This brings me to the rave of the moment—Agendas. To my mind, the issue of an agenda is a first sign of the lack of a relationship with the constitution.

ALL THE AGENDAS ROLLED INTO ONE ARE ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY which the constitution globally recognises as the principle objective of any state. So whether expressly stated during campaign or not, it is to be taken for granted that whoever finds himself or herself at the helms of affairs from whichever party must implement hence, it becomes a breach of the constitution and under a National Assembly answerable to the people, an offence punishable by impeachment. All the agenda in the country today is only a repetition of the basic duty of the government to the people. The parties must be identified through what they represent, ideologically and the summary of this is always glimpsed from their names and their slogans.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY would naturally, become a home for the brilliantly intelligent once an all party- member involving process is adopted for picking flag bearers. Once we are able to do away with the current practice of essentially gathering party delegates in a particular venue on a fixed date, popular candidates acceptable to majority of party faithfuls would start emerging. Very important: irrespective of the brilliance of the honourables members of any of the house—senate or representatives either at the federal or state level, their support staff ought to be a step ahead of them. If this also requires the law to implement, so be it. The members should not be allowed to get away with the idea that it is just job for their cronies meant to massage their egos. Their duties are not just about carrying phones and scheduling constituency visit. No. they are supposed to be resource persons for their bosses. They can help their bosses generate bills based on the situation in the country or discussion with them. Work it out with consultants and hand it over to their boss who in turn, would embark on out of media view consultation with other their relevant committees in the HOUSE(S) to rework grey areas before presentation to the whole HOUSE. This would reduce Bill rejection rate.

THE DUTIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT need not be tied to the whims and caprices of the President. They both sought the consent of the people and not one for the other. Jointly, they make the presidency complete. And therefore, one would suggest that the core of government— the civil service— be directly brought under the supervision of the Vice President. Through this, the President and the party would be certain that policies and programs are being implemented as planned, by the different government ministries and parastatals (please note that one has not advocated the transfer of authority over the civil service to the VP but just supervisory functions). It would then be the duties of the VP to advice the Commander-In-Chief based on fact, about the performance of the various ministries and by extension, the ministers in the implementation of the party’s manifesto.

ANY EFFORT AT REDUCING THE ATTRACTIONT IN GOVERNANCE should be encouraged. To this end, a special civilianized force to provide security for the elected officials should be established. This force would not be kitted like the convention force; say, the army and their weapons, out of sight. Georgia’s president, in the midst of her recent unpleasant encounter with Russia did attend a church service with very light security in sight.

The giddiness of having hundreds of mobile police, the regular police, the army, navy, air force, SSS, the DMI, CID, EFCC, ICPC, taskforces, the customs, civil defence corp., road safety and special marshals, the boys brigade, girls guide, red cross, traffic wardens, VIOs, the clergy, sorcerer, herbalist, rain makers and stoppers and party youths— thugs— to provide security coverage for just one of us, can be intoxicating. This is even discounting the sirens and the contraventions of traffic regulations by the usually snake like convoy during such movement. This can easily put unholy ideas into any body’s head.

The elected official must travel light and be at venues of event at the exactly the stated time even if he turns out to be the only person present. After all, he is elected to lead from the first position.

Ilobi Austin is on face book and twitter