AFTERMATH OF MARCH 28TH:Salient issues therefrom.

SOLOMON O. OJIGBE

(Social affairs analyst)

It will be aptly captured in the record books that there was a time in Nigeria when there existed a political party which stood like a gargantuan colossus too potent enough to be disembarked. The hitherto magnificent political conglomerate serially outwits its opponents in terms of political antics, shrewdness and sagacity. Little wander then that on several fora and platforms it often times assert to the chagrin of the populace how it was going to hold sway particularly at the centre for an upward period of at least 60 years. The said conglomerate treats its supposed subjects with utmost scorn and instituted itself to a status reminiscence of a demi-god  who is destined to have its way at all times, given any situation, irrespective of whose ox is gored.

It was almost coasting home with its much touted dictum of long term reign until the other miniature political cleavages put into a potent test of patriotism/altruism, political sacrifice and benevolence as well as a united front in what eventually gave birth to the APC following the successful coalescing of the smaller political parties. The ANPP, ACN, CPC and a section of APGA into one compact fusion. The above amalgamation signalled the fall of the “big umbrella” whose misrule, highhandedness as well as its modus operandi and modus vivendi has turned it into an albatross of some sort at least within the Nigerian social system.

The following indices were pivotal to the downward string and eventual decapitation of the once flourishing party by the collective will of the Nigerian masses particularly the youths:

v Flagrant abuse of power/impunity at its highest ebb.

v Overzealousness from political aides (dogaris as a good friend of more will call them).

v Disconnect from the vast proportion of the populace particularly in respect to their plight, instinct and disposition to the machinery of governance.

v Institutionalisation of corruption, looting and highhandedness.

v Politics of stomach infrastructure as against concrete physical and social infrastructure et’al.

v Insurgency and security breaches at advanced level.

v Enthronement of mediocrity, prejudices and its affiliates at the expense of competency, efficiency and prudence.

v Disregard of counsel particularly from elders (founding fathers) and renowned technocrats/professionals.

v Duplicity of committees without a robust framework for implementing decisions reached.

Conclusively, the dethronement of the PDP and eventual enthronement of the APC must be seen as a victory for the collective will of Nigerians, particularly the youths and must be so treated. The above pitfalls and others to be uncovered through proactive policy formulation and implementation framework must be positively acted upon.

Any attempt to do otherwise or maintain the statusquo will re-unite the masses to put to test their collective will power, am upbeat that as they have done now will not hesitate to speak with an even louder ovation and opium…Nigerian masses are getting wiser.