Where is the lesson of June 12?    

This democracy was purchased at a very high price, apart from the innocent blood that was shed; we sacrificed a popular mandate, the June 12 Presidential election, still adjudged the freest and the best ever in Nigeria. That historic mandate and the man who got it, Bashorun M. K. O. Abiola, were both killed on the altar of democracy. We must always remember that.
– Rev. Chris Okotie

FROM all indications, our newly elected politicians do not remember anything; the current escalating crisis in the ruling establishment is the biggest proof of this. The schism in the ruling APC in particular, and the unending bickering over National Assembly leadership, has cast a pall of darkness on our democracy. The charade in the National Assembly is stuff fitting for DSTv’s reality programme: ‘Most Shocking’.

Even though some other nations have had similar or even worse incidents, it is no excuse for the folly being exhibited by our legislators in their clamour for headship and recognition. Many reasons suffice for this; chief of which is that, the players in this Eighth Assembly are not new to the turf; they are old wine in new skin. The paradigm, as Rev. Chris Okotie always reminds us, has not shifted

But specifically, regarding the conflicting interests inhibiting APC’s leadership in the National Assembly, and how it affects Nigeria’s democracy, the party must look back to see the genesis of its unwitting poisoning of its own waters, when, in the bid to form alliances, just to unseat the then ruling party, PDP, they rolled out the carpets to welcome all and sundry into the political agglomeration; most especially defectors from the same opposition: the PDP, who now refuse to be consigned to the status of mere back-benchers in the ruling coalition. As we can see, they are asserting themselves, and snapping up the available positions and continuing their hold on power.

This is the root of the problem; a group of former opponents who wish to exert the influence of their old masters and carve out a fiefdom for themselves or even reclaim their lost position, at the expense of the current ruling party. It is, therefore, no surprise that the perennial foes of the APC, have found the present impasse heart-warming, charging the party, its leadership and even President Muhammadu Buhari with inactivity, indecisiveness and the inability to handle their new found position as the ruling party.

To the avid watcher of the political scene who knows the treachery of Nigerian politicians, these conflicts of interests in the legislative chambers, which are currently threatening to crumble the shaky foundations of APC, were to be expected. What is of great wonder is that APC’s stalwarts failed to factor this likelihood when they opened their doors to all and sundry. But then, this is the first real test of the party’s mettle, and how they navigate it will show their savvy.

In its 16 years at the helm, PDP’s tenure was riddled with all manner of crisis which rocked the party to its foundations; culminating in its defeat at the 2015 general elections, long predicted by Rev. Okotie, who prophetically told journalists that the PDP would implode and fall. It seemed impossible then, but it eventually came to pass.

APC, and its previous incarnations like AD, ANPP and ACN, were chief protagonists in taking PDP to task at every turn. Now, barely two months into their government, it is obvious that, with the incessant barrage of accusations being levelled against the party, PDP is obviously out to get its own pound of flesh. Even the recent appointment of a substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to replace the former Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, met with stiff opposition from the PDP, whose spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, was quoted as saying the party would not take part in any election organised by the new Chairman appointed by the President.

Differences in opinion; irrespective of their veracity or folly, form the colourations of life; they point to the proponents’ general grasp and view of issues, and they also reveal their loyalty and alignments for good or bad. The inability to properly discern the timing, effect and expedience of caustic criticisms is the crux of the problems, which always resurface in our political equations. It exhibits the immaturity of politicians who choose to display this unsavoury attitude in conflict resolution and resolving of agenda differences.

To resolve this challenge to democracy and leadership, politicians will sooner or later have to accept the supremacy of the electorate and understand that the agenda of the political party they represent does not take precedence over the general rights of the people which guarantee them safety, stability and a commodious atmosphere to pursue their economic and social objectives. Continually heating up the polity for political ascendancy and supremacy will only cast a dark pall over the nation; a condition under which even the politicians cannot thrive. They must not cut their nose to spite their mouth – this is one lesson that we must all learn from the June 12 struggle.

Politicians and political parties cannot secure victories by engaging the polity on ideological brinkmanship. They must tell how their agenda can benefit the masses better than what the opposition offers, and then leave the decision of choice to the electorate who have the final say as to whom they choose to lead them.
With his recently concluded visit to the United States, President Buhari may have effectively flagged off his long awaited burst into action. With the high expectations of this government, Nigerians and the international community will not be too amused if things remain business as usual. The systemic failures that are inherent in our clime and the bureaucratic bottlenecks that impinge on national development should be tackled once and for all to set a template for an accountable society.

Now, to end with the opening quote from the Pastor-Politician: “This democracy was purchased at a very high price”. With the rot in government, it is foolhardy to expect a miracle from the President Buhari-led government; his tenure may mark the beginning of the change which only a paradigm shift could engender. His stewardship can only become subject to constructive scrutiny after at least six months in office, or in the event of obvious flaws in leadership.
So far, the new crop of leaders’ attitude has not offered the electorate any hope that this long anticipated change is in the offing. For the work of reconstruction to begin, politicians must end competitive electioneering; otherwise, the nation as a whole will suffer the consequences of another four years of economic stagnation.

• Laolu Adaranijo wrote from Ondo State