The never ending season of
decamping and “recamping” which a lot would simply wave off as political
prostitution is moving through the polity again.
It bring to fore so many issues
wrong with Nigerian political playfield. The politicians apparent see and use
political parties as mere social groups to actualized their political dreams.
Choosing political party among Nigerian politician appears to be how
advertising agencies are chosen and chosen to get a product it widest coverage.it
is more of the end than the means.The parties are more similar at the soul but
just dissimilar only in spatial location, nomenclature and promoters. And of
course the followers too.
Very much missing is the sound
ideologies and men with strong conviction to follow such. Nigerian political
parties in recent times are just Progressives in names only, it ranks are still
filled with people who has issue with the law, or rabble roosters who spew
violence at slightest opportunity. “Democratic” in the nomenclature of the
party does not mean they practice the tenets as men with conscience
What is said to motivate men
include self-interest, conscience and creativity with self-interest the lowest
in nobility of them all. It appears the main motivator of Nigerian politician
is self-interest. Certainly that would explain the ease to cross carpet to
another party once their interest is threatened.
The Microsoft Encarta (2009)
described political parties as organizations that mobilize voters on behalf of
a common set of interests, concerns, and goals. The homogeneity of the Nigerian
political parties and poor legislation makes decamping so easy. None of the
political parties have sound ideologies and are ran by men who appear to be
without conviction.
The era of “Right” and “Left” show
how followership of such association can be elevated to the state of religion. It
is not unusual for communist to die as one and strive daily to make others join
their conviction. There books and other literatures extolling what they stand
for, so also party men who understand what they stand for. An average American
Republican or a Democrat knows what the party stands for and what to expect
from each when the Government is in power.
What does the People Democratic
Party (PDP) or the All Progressive Congress (APC) who is so desperate to take
people at the centre stands for. Is it ideologue internalized in the followers?
Can an average card carrying party man say this is what his party stands for.
Can they go to rallies without inducement? Five hundred naira would be
unnecessary for a convinced party man. The current apathy to parties without
inducement in most part of Nigeria is a reflection of our “soulless” political
party.
It is not that bad all along! At
least an average Action Group (AG) and United Party of Nigeria (UPN) had
well-articulated plans which their followers identify them with. These were not
mere political slogans or just empty words to win elections.
The current political parties in
Nigeria, where are your well-articulated and internalized ideologies by
followers?
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