28th April, 2015
As various political gladiators from the six geopolitical zones and states across the country jostle for national appointments, it is imperative for all concerned players and the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to prioritise national interest and avoid nepotism that could prevent the party from providing the change Nigerians are yearning for.
When the idea of forming a mega opposition party was first mooted, many political watchers doubted the move. Going by the experience of the past, the pessimists concluded that the initiative would die on arrival. In 2011, when leaders from various opposition parties such as the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, championed the mega party initiative, it did not see the light of the day due to inability to manage conflict of interests. But in late 2013, history was recorded when the concerned politicians from ACN, CPC, several smaller parties scaled the hurdles of ethnicity and political divides to form APC- the first mega/ opposition party that defeated a democratically elected incumbent president in the political history of the country. The victory recorded at the polls were made possible by the power of unity among the various players.
Now that the opposition has clinched power, it is, therefore, essential for the players not to jeopardise the unity and spirit of togetherness that accounted for its victory at the polls as they jostle for political appointments. It is not ideal for any tribe or geopolitical zone to see itself as superior to the other or see a particular political slot as its birthright. If zoning arrangement will be deployed to pick the best hands for the job, it must be premised on equity, oneness, competence and transparency.
Political appointments should not be based on political affiliations alone but on merit. As various meetings are being held to pick candidates for political offices, the conflict of interests that may arise should be properly managed to prevent internal crisis in the ruling party. It must avoid primordial sentiments in the appoinment of ministers.
The key players should build consensus and ensure that the best of men and women are appointed to run the affairs of government. Each individual should learn to sacrifice personal ambition for the sake of national progress in settling for those to be appointed to hold key positions in the government that will be inaugurated on 29 May, 2015. What caused the downfall of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was because the party lost focus and picked the wrong hands to steer the ship of state with President Goodluck Jonathan. APC must avoid this mistake if it intends to stay longer in Nigeria’s political scene.