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