Re-engineering the nation's political process for good governance

Re-engineering the nation's political process for good governance

Written by Olayinka Alaya

Democracy as a system of government would be meaningful, interesting and lively if all stakeholders and gladiators play the game according to the rule. Formation of political parties is a cardinal principle of democratic process in which free, fair and credible election is predicated.

Taking cognizance of more than a decade that democracy is restored in the country, there comes transformation in the political scene with attendant cross-carpeting by political juggernauts from one party to another in a bid to secure and protect their unbridled quest for power.

For instance in 1999, we had three political parties of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Peoples Party (APP) that dominated the political firmament.  But due to insatiable appetite for power, some parties engineered a paradigm shift with members of the AD forming the Action Congress and later metamorphosed to Action Congress of Nigeria, while members of the hitherto APP formed the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).

In order to ensure a formidable team and strengthen the party structure to seize power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party that has been in power since 1999, some major political parties comprising ACN, CPC, ANPP and a faction of APGA merged to  become a formidable force that would provide an alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. Thus, the disturbing trend of gale of defection among politicians seeking political value and relevance has manifested in the country's nascent democracy.

Unfortunately, it would not be out of place to posit that none of the political parties in Nigeria has clearly stated ideology. Most of the parties are established based on some existing lacklustre agenda and unfulfilled promises. In United States, a politician would always stick to his party and pledge his allegiance to the party's ideology. A true Republican politician would never contemplate defecting to the rival party because of the belief he has in the party.  This shows what a true democracy stands for. When politicians have firm belief in their parties ideology and structure, it makes much difference.
These attitudes of intermittent cross carpeting in the political arena and the Federal Government wielding more power of controlling the armed forces, the electoral umpire, the judiciary and other strategic agencies are telling on the country's development and future. Consequently, healthy competition has been jettisoned while government at the centre also uses its power to contain and suppress the power of the opposition perceived to be gaining ground.

The current impeachment threats rocking the country’s political arena is another dimension of suppressing and weakening the power of opposition. Therefore, the impeachment of erstwhile Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako by the lawmakers was believed to have been political motivated by the Federal Government. It is held that government induced the lawmakers with huge amount of money to impeach the Governor. Similar scenario is currently playing out in Nasarawa and Edo States where the lawmakers are also making attempts to impeach their Governors.

Reacting to the controversial impeachment of Murtala Nyako, a Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar warned against the excessive use of power by the PDP-led federal government, a development he said, was not good for decent democratic practice.

Atiku stated that wielding the axe of impeachment against elected public office holders to settle scores by the federal government would needlessly build up tension in the country, saying that the reckless use of impeachment to settle scores could not have been the intention of the framers of the 1999 Constitution.

It is pertinent to state that the frequent impeachment threats against the office holders would rubbish the whole purpose of inserting the impeachment clause in the Constitution. The use of impeachment to harass and humiliate elected officials without genuine and substantiated allegations would ultimately bastardize the spirit in which the constitution provides impeachment clause and the country's democracy.

The alleged financial inducements to effect the removal of elected officers from office if true, is not too good for our democracy as it is against the will of the electorate that voted them into power.

Politics of acrimony and ungodly wealth accumulation is a disservice to the country. Power is transient and must be used positively.

Politics should be played for the progress and development of the country. Nigeria should be placed above selfish interest. Our politicians should place high premium on the interest of the people, to develop Nigeria and not their personal selfish interest to seize power and acquire abundant wealth.

Politicians in the country should stop deceiving the electorate with their unhealthy conduct. Nigeria needs to be re-planned, reinvigorated and rebranded. Focused and determined leaders are needed to reposition the country.

Our political parties should have ideologies, good structure and agendas with sincerity of purpose to restore the fortunes of the country for every body to enjoy.

Olayinka Alaya is a journalist and writes from Ilorin via yeancahalaya@yahoo.com

Transformation of Nigeria Political parties towards repositioning Nigeria

Transformation of Nigeria Political parties towards repositioning Nigeria

Written by Olayinka Alaya

Democracy as a system of government would be meaningful, interesting and lively if all stakeholders and players are playing the game according to its rules. Formation of Political parties is one of the cardinal principle and part of a democratic process in every election, it is certain that there will be winners and losers after election.

Since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, the country has been witnessing different transformation and switch over from one party to another. When democracy returns in 1999, it was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Peoples Party (APP) that dominated the political terrain.  But due to thirst for power, some parties carried out transformation with members of the AD forming the Action Congress of Nigeria, while members of the APP formed the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).

In order to ensure a formidable team and strengthen the party structure to seize power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party who has been in power since 1999, some major political parties comprising ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA merged to  become a formidable force that would provide a strong opposition to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. The issue of cross carpeting among politicians seeking for political value and relevance has been affecting the country's democracy.

Surprisingly, it is clear to state, however, that none of the political parties in Nigeria has clearly stated ideology. Most of the parties are established and formed based on some existing Agenda and unfulfilled promises. In United States, a Politician would always stick to his or her party and trust in the party's political ideology. A true Republican politician would not ever think of cross carpeting to the democratic because of the belief he or she has in the party.  This shows what a true democracy stands for, when politicians have strong belief in the party's ideology and structure, it makes much difference.

These attitudes of cross carpeting and the Federal Government wielding more power of controlling the security forces, the electoral umpire, the judiciary and other strategic agencies are telling on the country's development and future. There is no competitive and any attempt to have a strong opposition, the government at the central would use its power to contain and suppress the power of the opposition by cutting their arms.

The impeachment cases rocking the country’s political arena is another dimension of suppressing and weakening the power of opposition. The Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako was impeached by the lawmakers which people believed to be handiwork of the Federal Government. People believed that government spoilt the lawmakers with huge amount of money to impeach the Governor. Similar scenario is being witnessed in Nasarawa and Edo States where the lawmakers are also making attempt to impeach their Governors.

Reacting to the controversial impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako, a Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar warned against the excessive use of power by the PDP-led federal government, a development he said is not good for decent democratic practice. Atiku stated that wielding the axe of impeachment against elected public office holders to settle scores by the federal government would needlessly build up tension in the country, saying that the reckless use of impeachment to settle scores could not have been the intention of the framers of the 1999 Constitution.

It is pertinent to state that the frequency with which elective officials are being impeached would destroy the whole purpose of inserting the impeachment clause in the Constitution. The use of impeachment to harass and humiliate elected officials without basing it on the clause stipulated by the constitution would ultimately bastardize the spirit in which the constitution provides impeachment clause and the country's democracy.

The alleged use of financial inducements to influence the removal of elected officers from office if true is not too good for our democracy as it is against the will of the people who are the electorate that voted them into power.

Politics of acrimony and ungodly wealth accumulation is a disservice to the country. Power is for a while and must be used positively.

Politics should be played for the progress and development of the country. Nigeria should be place above selfish interest. Our politicians should place high premium on the interest of the people, to develop Nigeria not their personal selfish interest to seize power and acquire abundant wealth.

Politicians in the country should stop deceiving the electorate with their campaign of calumny. Nigeria needs to be reinvigorated, replanned and rebranded. Focused and determined leaders are needed to reposition the country.

Our political parties should have ideologies, good structure and Agendas with the sincerity of purpose to bring the fortunes of the country for every body to enjoy.

Olayinka Alaya is a journalist and writes from Ilorin via yeancahalaya@yahoo.com

Conducting acceptable election in 2015 and the need for Nigeria Politicians to play politics for the future of Nigeria.

Writer: Olayinka Alaya

Topic: Conducting acceptable election in 2015 and the need for Nigeria Politicians to play politics for the future of Nigeria.

As the 2015 general election approaches, divergent views had been made on the conduct of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Nigerians and those in the Diaspora. Some called on INEC to ensure a free, fair and acceptable election, while some called for change of the election time-table due to the rising insurgency in the Northern part of the country.

In view of the dreaded attacks emanating from the insurgents where thousands of people have been feared dead, where schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno state were also abducted coupled with the emergency rule in the three troubled northern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, conducting election in 2015 has become a doubt.

Even if election is going to hold, can election be conducted in states under emergency rule? This has become an enormous task for the Umpire, the INEC, in its mission to ensure that election holds in all parts of the country as stipulated in the timetable of the Commission.

As the general elections draw nearer and with the election coming up in June in Ekiti State and August in Osun State, Politicians had been heating the polity, attacking people, especially parties violence, trading abusive and defamatory words which are not good for Nigerian politics. Most Nigerian Politicians have taken election as a do or die affairs, showing how desperate they are to secure political powers and public offices.

It is very sad that some of our Politicians are not vying for political or public offices in the interest of the masses but to satisfy their yearnings and aspirations, as majority of them sees political offices as investments to enrich their pockets.

Before, politicians used political offices for the plight of the masses and development of the country, showing the zeal and commitment to make Nigeria a place for all. One believes our politicians must cue into this and forget about their selfish interest.

The politicians are also accused of toying with the security of the country by playing politics of bitterness and endangering the country's democracy in the process.

Speaking recently while receiving the United States Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, (SARAH), the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, reassured the nation and the international community that the Commission would conduct free, fair and credible elections which would be acceptable to all and sundry.

Professor Jega added that the Commission was prepared technically and personnelwise to conduct credible polls in the country in twenty fifteen. According to him, with all the reforms and innovations being introduced into the system by the Commission, it is certain that the forthcoming election would be better organized, when compared with what happened in twenty eleven.

At this period, what Nigerians need most are visionary leaders that have the vision and zeal to take the country to the promised land, not corrupt and self centred politicians that will be after their pocket.

Many things need to be addressed in the country of over one hundred and seventy million people, especially the issue of corruption and insecurity bedeviling all the sectors of the economy. This is time for the futuristic politicians to come out and unveil their agenda to Nigerians and tell the world that Nigeria has the capacity to surmount its challenges particularly security.

Nigerian leaders need to have an open mind and establish a transparent platform and mechanism for collective aim of resuscitating and tackling all the woes betiding the country. They should also be minded of the need to sustain the unity of Nigeria.

Our leaders should remember that what they do today, history will recall it tomorrow, just as the people remembers the likes of our forefathers like, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, Anthony Enahoro among others.

FIGHTING INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA FOR THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY

WRITER: OLAYINKA ALAYA

TOPIC: FIGHTING INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA FOR THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY

 

It is pertinent to note that at this moment of the nationhood, the issue of security has become a problematic issue in Nigeria, especially with the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sects which could be traced back to the year two thousand and nine.

In fact, the type of insecurity sweeping through Nigeria today can be termed a dimension of terrorism. It is worthy to note that members of the Boko Haram sect may bear Muslim names, indeed, they may be fundamentalists but they definitely are not fighting the cause of Islam. Islam as a religion condemned gruesome killings of innocent lives or any human being as such person that kills innocent life will be subjected to hell fire by Allah.

Insecurity facing Nigeria today goes beyond the acts that involve destruction of lives and property accompanied by bombings by the Boko Haram sect. There is kidnapping, arson, food insecurity, hoodlums who terrorize innocent Nigerians, through such acts as rape, robbery.

One of the cardinal duties of a legal government is to ensure the security of lives and property. Once a government fails to ensure this cardinal duty, such government is said to fail. Many foreign heads of government or Presidents had resigned because they failed to ensure security of their people. Recently, the Prime Minister of South Korea, Chung Hong Won resigned as a result of the Ferry containing students that capsized.

Series of bombings have been taking place in different places in Nigeria with the recent bombings that took place in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja where many people lost their lives, while several sustained injuries. Many Nigerians may want to know the reason why those in charge of the country's security starting from the President, the National Security Adviser, Minister of Defense, Chief of Defense Staff, down to the Security Chiefs of various security forces have not been able to address the situation.

Recently, over two hundred School girls were kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect in Chibok with no sign of their whereabouts. The situation has led to protests in all parts of the country, especially in Abuja, Lagos, Borno, Kwara, Osun and some parts of the country with young and old women and men carrying placards with different inscriptions such as "BringBackOurGirls", "This is terrorism, not Islam", "Rescue Our Girls", " The Girls don't deserve this", "Protect Our Schools", "Protect Our borders if not Seal them". This portends serious danger to the country called the giant of Africa.

The Leader of the terrorist sect, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, in a video claimed responsibility for the seizure of the girls and threatened to sell off the abducted girls. He said the girls were captured because they were seeking Western education.

This questionable act of darkness had thrown the country of over one hundred and seventy million people into confusion and sorrow. It however raises questions on why it takes all the security forces of Nigeria long to rescue the girls. Indeed, this issue calls for the support of the international bodies, the Five World most powerful countries to come to the aide of Nigeria not by saying it on the media but by action in order to rescue the missing girls and put an end to the activities of the terrorists.

Our government should demonstrate and show high spirit with sense of responsibility to address the issue of insecurity bedeviling the nation because it is only through peace and tranquility that growth and development can exist.

Therefore, Let us join hands to fight these common challenges. It is in our interest as a country to be peaceful and prosper. We have no other country to call our own.

       Politicians and all Nigerians should always put Nigeria first, forget their differences when the issue of security of Nigeria is at stake.

Perhaps, our politicians can learn some lessons from America. Whenever election is around the corner, they identify themselves as Democrats and Republicans. But as soon as election is over, they will identify themselves as Americans.

Nigerian politicians will always be politicians, but they should not be destructive. They shouldn't religionize politics or play politics with our security. They should put the wellbeing and lives of the people first in all they do.

The government should not be daunted by this situation and the violence being unleashed on the country. Nigeria is a great country, if we come together as one, God will fight for us and all our problems would be a forgone issue.

THE NEED TO EMULATE THE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN THE ANCIENT CITY OF ILORIN IN TACKLING RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

WRITER: OLAYINKA ALAYA

TOPIC: THE NEED TO EMULATE THE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN THE ANCIENT CITY OF ILORIN IN TACKLING RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

Ilorin perhaps came into existence five to seven hundred years ago when a place was discovered with hard rocks for repairing or sharpening weapons. No doubt it was surrounded by hills and forest inhabitated by many wild animals, elephants, lions, snakes and several birds.

While delivering his keynote address at the second National Conference of the Centre for Ilorin Studies, University of Ilorin, the Former Chief Justice of Nigeria and head of the Belgore's dynasty, Retired Justice Saliu Alfa Modibo Belgore, who traced the history of Ilorin from Old Oyo empire to the advent of the great and renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Alimi, said the ancient city of Ilorin was full of Islamic and different scholars, saying that the city would continue to grow stronger from strength to strength .

Indeed, the ancient city of Ilorin is blessed with robust cultural heritage and values which indicate peaceful co-existence of the town, different people with different ethnic background such as the Yorubas, Hausas, Fulanis, Nupes, Barubas to mention a few. The city is also endowed and full of Scholars in different fields.

In fact, the ancient city is the most respected city in Nigeria and Africa that produced renowned Islamic scholars who have been propagating the course of Islam and impacting in-depth quranic education.

Sons and daughters of Ilorin have achieved and contributed immensely to the growth and development of Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole. Nigerians will not forget the immense contributions of the late former Vice President during the Military era, Late Babatunde Idiagbon, the late Political Icon in the state, Olusola Saraki also contributed to the Political structure of the country. Nevertheless, in Nigeria's Judiciary system, history won't forget the contributions of the indigenes of the ancient city.

Added to this is the linguistic proficiency for which the town has always been accorded high regards and due attention such that many people are known to have come to historic city mainly to acquire communicative competence and eloquence.

Over the years, the city of Ilorin has remained a unique centre of attraction to many interest groups. Geographers are attracted to the city's strategic location, historians are interested in its historical monuments, settlers migrate there for its serene atmosphere, business men and women love its economic viability, politicians admire its relative political stability, while learned individuals enjoy its status of being the city of erudite Muslim and Christian scholars who truly do the will of God.

Responsible traditions are the establishment of Tertiary institutions located in the state. In view of robust cultural heritage of Ilorin, the University of Ilorin deemed it fit and established the Centre for Ilorin Studies with the mandate to retrieve and preserve Ilorin-related manuscripts and publications by the indigenes of the emirate. Such materials could be in Arabic and other languages and in all disciplines. It is also mandated to collect and preserve similar manuscripts and publications written by any scholar from any part of the world.

The Kwara State University, Malete, also in her effort to obtain factual manuscripts and publications of the Ilorin Emirate also established Centre for Ilorin Manuscripts and Culture. It is not only tertiary institutions in Kwara state doing such for their host community, the University of Ibadan also established Centre for Arabic Documentation for its host community.

One of the original mandates of Universities is to be a citadel of Knowledge for community development. The two tertiary institutions need to be commended for preserving the culture of their host communities.  It is therefore pertinent to implore the two universities to continue to capture contemporary socio-cultural, economic and political events, as well as emerging topical issues that have immediate or remote bearings on the survival of the emirate.

Scholars and academics should further exploit the history of Ilorin as the city is blessed with abundant and reached cultural heritage that makes it unique in the world.

The peaceful co-existence of the ancient city and harmonious relationship between different ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria is worthy of emulation. Infact, the Federal Government should understudy Ilorin and apply the principles through which the City achieves some unity in diversity to Nigeria so that the differences in the country would be converted to strengths.

The people of Ilorin are also urged to continue to maintain the peace of the state and eschew any act capable of causing break down of law and orders. Ilorin will continue to grow stronger in strength and strength.

Other cities can also emulate the peaceful co-existence in Ilorin where different tribes are accommodated, living peacefully and harmoniously together. This will also help the country in tackling the security challenges confronting it.