By HENRY OSHIOBUGIE
That is the question. Not a lot of people will respond positively to that question, because recent events in the Peoples Democratic Party provide a glaring and negative answer to the question. What then informs the folly behind the vote of confidence passed by the PDP NEC yesterday, in the midst of a snowballing crisis that has gripped the party since June? It may be a reflection of Ayu’s integrity quotient or of Nigerians generally.
The integrity quotient of Nigeria, nay Nigerians, is at an all-time low. Worse still, the docile and unfortunate administration of PMB is only just slowly ebbing away, and many are bereft of any real hope that things can or will turn around for good, even with a new government or party. Nigerians, home and abroad, have been so disappointed in Governance (past and present) that, today, it is difficult for any promise to come from a government that will energise or entice Nigerians.
This is what has primarily accounted for the phenomenal embrace of Peter Obi, even amongst the aged. This will surely account for the direction of millions of votes that Nigerians will cast in 2023. Many, and maybe most voters, will be guided by the principle of credibility and trust. This, my Edo brothers refer to as “talk na do”, simply meaning, your word is your bond. The Holy Bible instructs us in Matthew chapter 5, verse 37, and saying: “But let your communication (your word) be, Yea, yea (your bond): for whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil”. In other words, do what you say and if otherwise, then you must have evil intentions.
In any perception, this MUST be the foundation to a new Nigeria, and so, every political party campaign ideology today, is being built on it. It is instructive, therefore, to understand that most Nigerians will not give their votes to anyone they cannot trust, much less anyone who is perceived to be one whose word is not his bond. It’s also upon this mantra that most developed nations have been built.
I have never doubted Governor Nyesom Wike’s intrinsic desire to fight for justice, in the seeming crisis plaguing the PDP. In his recent outburst, he noted that Atiku Abubakar personally confided in him, that the Party Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, must vacate his position, because when a Presidential candidate comes from the north, the Chairmanship must go to the south. This is also entrenched in the party’s zoning arrangement, which has been sustained for decades.
So, the question is, what is so difficult for Atiku Abubakar to fathom, in the light of the above, that word is bond, and that it will go a long way to determine voter choices and preferences in February 2023? However, the pivotal issue here is the promise (word) made, which led to this entanglement wherein the National Chairman, Dr. Ayu, said on several occasions, that if a presidential candidate emerges from the north, he would resign for a southerner to come in as chairman. On May 29th, Atiku Abubakar, of northern extraction emerged as Presidential candidate. Today, three months later, Dr. Ayu is still fighting with every arsenal he possesses, to remain as Chairman, when in saner climes, he would have addressed a press conference by June 1st and resigned immediately.
Many notable Nigerians have already noted his inglorious faux pas, which was used to cajole unsuspecting party leaders in 2021. So now the question is, does Ayu have any integrity? And by extension, does PDP have integrity? Will PDP keep her word after 2023?
Justice means ‘just behavior or treatment’. It is time for Atiku, Dr. Ayu and their vicarious supporters to reflect deeply on the need to win the 2023 election, the need to move Nigeria out of the stench this administration has plunged it into. It is time to do justice.
PDP needs to encourage Nigerians to give their votes to the Party. To do this, they must first ensure that what has been promised is redeemed before it’s too late. The expected quid pro quo can’t be if, as we see today, PDP tells us this, and goes on to do that. Besides, it is said that you should do unto others what you would like them to do unto you. Integrity is very crucial in our existence today and an integral part of development. Its one critical reason why Africa remains underdeveloped, but to find solace, we always blame it on colonialism. The Asians have long stopped this blame game. So now, for Christ’s sake, let the Queen rest in peace, and let us open a new era of development for ourselves, where integrity is key.
Secondly, this whole saga begs the question, what exactly does Ayu bring to the table that Atiku and his “friends” are willing to trade for southern votes? This is critical, considering the enormous agitation for a southern President, which is strongly accentuated by this Ayu debacle. PDP possesses numerous high caliber leaders in the South, who are more inspiring and can lead a more glorious campaign than Dr. Ayu. Choosing one, will immediately end this fiasco and balance the political realities. The Presidential Candidate and the Chairman are the strongest executive positions in a political party, and southerners feel marginalized already.
Finally, whatever mechanism or constitutional provision that the NEC can invoke, should be explored before it is too late. The clock is ticking and Nigerians are watching. Even Buhari is watching closely.
PDP needs to realize that the 2023 election is hers to lose and a divided house or party cannot stand. The Presidential candidate should not allow his reputation to precede him. If we lose this election, Nigerians will never forgive him.
Henry Oshiobugie
henryoshiobugie@hotmail.com
