TheCable

We are 18 months away from the 2019 general election, but it is not surprising seeing how political gladiators have earnestly commenced political activities. But this will actually hamper effective leadership, threaten the peace and stability in the land.

Such anxiety will always surface considering that Nigeria is a “politically charged” nation, to borrow the words of Alkasim Abdulkadir. And politics remains one of the most lucrative ventures anyone can engage in Nigeria in the last two decades.

We have seen how a lot of people have become very powerful and wealthy overnight. While many of them had failed in their respective careers but are now successful politicians with chains of business interests, posh cars, mansions, and even yacht to match their new status. They no longer celebrate their wedding or birthday parties in Nigeria anymore even though this is where the monies were made. That’s the extent of how sweet and juicy politics has become in Nigeria.

In fact, they have become cerebral billionaires overnight with the ability to afford anything under the sun. But wait, have you pondered on how they afford all these luxuries within a short spell in business? Sorry, in politics! Your guess is as good as mine. The reason is simple. Invest heavily, get people into positions (i.e elective or appointive) and you’re good to go.

With the foregoing, one can easily grasp the high premium attached to the theatrics of politics by not only the players but investors (moneybags) alike.

Therefore, the benefits, protection, paraphernalia derived by the ruling elites are bountiful; too tempting to lose and they can do anything to hold onto it. They are so powerful that they always get want. They buy justice where it is for sale!

Despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, the living condition of the citizens has not improved tremendously. Year in, year out communities are been ravaged by floods, erosions and other diseases occasioned by poor planning and corruption in the system.

The continued forfeiture of cash and landed properties acquired from the proceeds of corruption provides more insight to the narrative. It is my prayer that more of such landmark judgement favours the Nigerian government.

I needed to digress a bit in other to provide a background in trying to examine why Nigerian politicians, especially those aspiring for political office, prefer to be overheating the polity for their selfish gains.

For two years now, the political tension in Kano state has been heightened because of the ideological differences between the disciples of the Kwankwasiyya and Gandujiya proponents.

The die was cast when between the two camps when governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje decided to relieve Kwankwaso’s men of their appointment in his government. Since then, the division and differences between the opposing camps have continued to widen.

To make matters worse, the governing party in Kano has two party chairmen in the state. Incumbent governor supports the Abdullahi Abbas faction while the Yau Haruna Doguwa’s faction is backed by senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso even though the APC headquarters had recently authenticated Doguwa’s leadership.

After the unfortunate attack which left the Kwankwasiyya faithful severely injured on Saturday, only God can save the Kano people from witnessing a reprisal attack.

It is important that senior and wealthy citizens of Kano state should begin a peace initiative with the aim of making the leaders of the worrying camps sheathe their sword. The peace of the state will largely translate to the economic viability, robustness, and survival of not only Kano and the north west but the whole northern region.

Or have we forgotten so easily the orchestrated plans to crippled the north? We are all living witnesses to what happened in Kano. As a northern, I’m seriously worried about the political unrest in Kano.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) which is the governing party in Nigeria, under the able leadership of John Odigie Oyegun, must be more proactive in contending the situation not in Kano but in other APC-controlled states where their is serious bickering among members.

After Kano, Kaduna is another boiling spot. We have seen how two serving senators were interrupted in the middle of a press briefing, while the journalists were seriously injured and had their work tools damaged. Someone needs to move very fast in other to calm frayed nerves.

Unfortunately, the party in Kaduna has since been divided between the mainstream APC which has the backing of governor Nasir El-Rufai (Mai Rusau) and that of the APC Akida led by aggrieved politicians who have lost out in the power equation in the state.

The fight between the El-Rufai’s camp and that of Akida’s camp led by senators Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi is no longer news. The lawmakers continue to slug it out with the man at the helm of affairs at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

Some politicians and elders of the party in the state who contributed immensely to the success of the party in the 2015 elections like Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and Isah Ashiru Kudan and many others are also at loggerheads with governor Elrufai.

These unhealthy scenarios are so worrying and I can’t understand the rationale why Mr. President who is the leader of the party and the APC national leaders are turning blind eyes to the political unrest in Kano, Kaduna and other north west states. Not to even mention the unending feud in Kogi state.

There is no better time for the national working committee of the APC under John Oyegun to be more proactive in the peace process in reconciling all worrying factions and camps within the party. It must be tamed now before it’s too late.

It is no longer a secret that the opposition PDP which the APC wrestled power from in 2015 has successfully overcome its troubles and is now being repositioned for a good outing in 2019. The APC must be very conscious and wary of that.

If I may ask, why is the APC as a party having problems with managing it successes? Also, why has the party failed to unite it members in delivering its promises to Nigerians? Still, the party went missing especially when the rebellion of the national assembly members against the presidency was at its peak? And lastly, two legislators (a senator & a member of the house of reps) of the party are under suspension and still, the party hasn’t done enough in getting them back to work.

Abdullahi Yusuf Kuta 300level student of mass communication department, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger state.