APC Chair: Who Deserves The Party Crown As The Burden Of Credibility Creeps In, Matters Arising.

APC Chair: Who Deserves The Party Crown As The Burden Of Credibility Creeps In, Matters Arising.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah.

Indeed interesting times lies ahead as we navigate towards the 2023 general elections. Our political parties that are saddled with the responsibility of sourcing for credible representatives to pilot the affairs of the people are definitely on the radar as Nigerians are watching keenly what comes out from the political parties.

The drama over who exactly emerges as the next national chairman of the ruling party, the APC is persisting and getting more complicated. There are still controversies over the modalities under which the APC congress would take place.

Would the party settle for a consensus arrangement or through the delegates system? Whoever the party presents would go a long way in giving credibility to the APC and in turn affect its chances ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The conduct of the APC national convention has lingered on for over a year and surprisingly contestants to the various positions have tolerated the stretch with full loyalty even at the detriment of putting a huge and excruciating hole in their POCKETS.

Running for political offices is not child play nor is it for the lily-livered, it requires strong physical politicking and heavy financial resources to keep it going.

For that kudos must be given to all the contending aspirants who are supposed to have been drained and psychologically tortured for their unshakeable loyalty. It really is not easy to keep pushing on even in the midst of uncertainties.

Finally from the look of all things and constitutionally too the convention must hold on February 26th which brings to the forefront who deserves to become the next national chairman of the biggest party in Africa.

The electorates who at the tail end decide the fate of all political contenders are enthusiastically waiting excitedly to see how the party passes its first credibility test.

APC critics are numerous and appear to be intensifying their efforts on focussing on the credibility and integrity of whoever emerges as the next APC chairman, pledging to oppose any process that may birth a controversial candidate.

Lately, the press has been awash with news of APC facing the integrity test with a chunk of its chairmanship aspirants under the investigations of the EFCC.

As at the last count, about 11 aspirants are jostling madly to outrun one another to get the party’s nod with over half of these numbers having financial related offences with the EFCC. Indeed it calls for scrutiny by the electorates.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party the PDP which has wrapped up its own convention is lurking around the corner with its tales of worries why the APC can not offer Nigerians the respite they long after.

Nigerians, in turn, need the APC to assure the citizens that the party has learnt its bitter lessons and is ready to give the people the best of governance.

An outline of the 11 chairmanship hopefuls shows that 6 are Ex Governors namely, Ali Modu Sheriff, Isa Yuguda, Abdul-Aziz Yari, Tanko Al-Makura, Danjuma Goje and George Akume.

Fact check reveals that these ex-governors are regular guests to the EFCC with the case of the former Borno State Governor, Senator  Modu Sheriff worse off, seen as a spoiler in every political party he joins the Ex-Borno State Governor still has the credibility issue of Boko Haram on his hands.

Tanko Al-Makura is also not spared either from the heavy burden of EFCC’s frequent visits, according to the PUNCH “He has also been on the EFCC radar in recent times along with his wife. Last year he visited the EFCC headquarters a couple of times to answer questions on money laundering running into billions of naira”

Isa Yuguda, Danjuma Goje, George Akume and Abdul-Aziz Yari all have EFCC related cases too which brings to the forefront why the APC should look carefully towards the direction it picks its national chairman.

The other five contenders are Mallam Saliu Mustapha, Sani Musa, Sani Shinkafi, Sylvester Moniedafe and Etsu Mohammed amongst this pack Sani Musa happens to be a serving senator.

Mallam Saliu Mustapha has sterling antecedents in leadership capabilities, he once served as the deputy national chairman of the defunct CPC, one of the legacy parties that gave birth to the APC. A technocrat who is highly revered for his political sagacity.

Sylvester Moniedafe happens to be originally from Delta State but born in Jimeta, Adamawa State, while Etsu Mohammed is an aide to Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State Niger and a former youth leader with ANPP.

Sani Shinkafi is an aide to the Zamfara State Governor and is perceived to act as a spoiler in the complicated game of thrones between former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul-Aziz Yari and his successor, Gov Bello Mattawalle.

Matters Arising.

APC as a party should avoid the path of imposition of candidates as representatives for the people, they must avoid endless distractions from people having cases to answer with anti-graft agencies and above all must have a leadership that is primarily focussed on meeting the yearnings of the electorates.

If we must get it right as a Nation then the electorates must become active participants in the entire political process beginning with the party leadership which is closer to the grassroots, this would help them to check the political class and hold them accountable.

A comprehensive background check should be done on all the aspirants gunning for political offices, the electorates must demand accountability as well as result-oriented and People-oriented leadership across the board.

One erroneous mistake Nigerians keep making is looking at the Presidency for an end to all its woes when in essence the political parties representatives are the closest to the poorest of the poor and can influence the true changes we desire. The party leadership is responsible for picking the right leadership that can best serve the interests of the masses.

The current sycophancy and praise-singing for politicians must stop and we must genuinely seek leaders that are selfless and after the collective interest of the people.

Osigwe Omo- Ikirodah writes in from Abuja.

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