Nigeria’s political elite are working themselves out ahead of the upcoming election cycle which would soon run out. Their impetus and idiosyncrasies appear to be at equilibrium, but not the same with their patriotic zeal which is at its lowest ebb. There is the fear of an unknown political future by several naysayers and pundits who, perhaps reading the ‘chaotic’ turn of events, hold views that the anticipated elections may not even hold at all, given the undue tension that has gripped virtually all political spaces.
Many pundits and analysts say all that is left of a ‘once vibrant political chessboard’ is mutual distrust, ethnic jingoism and dangerous pandering to religious considerations.
More alarming is the worries by not a few citizens that the nation’s leadership across all parties once adorned in garbs of altruism and nationalism have long jettisoned the path for which they once fought, on the altar of avarice and self-centered political advantage. The signals are ominous and could be utterly disturbing, given the crucial moment ahead. The bitter political feud across party lines and within suggests that the situation has gone beyond the precarious realm of ‘do or die’ to a ‘do or mar’ conduct.
With the recent alignments, re-alignments and political gerrymandering, no one may safely conclude that the polity is headed for a direction that is politically secured ahead as 2027 beckons.
Sadly, while political notions across the world accede to the free will for cross-carpeting in line with the freedom of association as entrenched in constitutions of democratic nations, including Nigeria, there are concerns that unprecedented shifts which derive their motives far from political expediency to personal interests are ruining what should have been a smooth transition.
In scenarios where political leaders decidedly jump boats amidst growing concern of yet unverified impropriety against them, suggest a seeming fidgeting by the actors, while trying to align with likely powers that could shield them from any scrutiny with the expectation of gaining a shield against probity.
Interestingly, the nation witnessed unprecedented defections of elected political office holders across platforms of political parties other than the parties that gave them initial basis in governance just to remain relevant in the immediate run and in the nearest future should the next elections play up in the favour of their new found association.
The monumental shift is not a basis for concern with AljazirahNigeria, as we are not too worried about the hues and cries that the country is headed dangerously on the path of a ‘one party’ state, which is unlikely but with however wary that there is a drift that has not been seen in the nation’s contemporary history. Never has the country experienced so much discordant tunes and political chicanery as we witness in today’s political space. Mudslinging, abuses and persistent flagrant display of egregious and abusive campaign materials all in the name of securing the attention of would-be voters-Nigerians who are watching in disdain, to state pointedly is unedifying.
It is now too engaging and disturbing that ‘recent foes have turned enemies too soon’. That sadly depicts our political space where political dissension has broadly sparked personal animosities. This negates the very democratic culture that predictably should be based on personal conviction and mutual trust. Sadly, the acrimony that cuts across intra-party and inter-party discords is absolutely debasing, depicting a state of total anarchy. We see all Nigerians as members of one large family only differing on the basis of what platform they choose to actualize their personal political interests as the parties themselves are enjoying neither any particular nor peculiar ideological base. They remain saliently different sides of the same coin. There is therefore no need to overheat the polity even when the real contest is still months ahead.
Nigerians of all strata and indeed the political class should view the country as their joint constituency which interests should be uppermost in their minds. The sad footnotes of brigandage and killings that characterized the primaries across some parties suggest there is a drift to a future that is frightening.
On a sad note, some party stalwarts got killed while others were maimed in the line of patriotism while exercising their franchise to vote for their preferred candidates during party primaries in which reports across the states suggest anarchy may just be looming if we can not hold our own in just at the level of primaries, what happens when the real elections begin. This raises fears that if intra-party discords could turn fatal, it portends a more precarious turn ahead as 2027 elections beckon.
We urge party leaders and the stakeholders who manifest as party faithful, to be mindful of the consequences that ensue when anarchy becomes the hallmark of any process.
AljazirahNigeria calls for the need to ease tension across the country which deserves every moment of civility for a smooth running of governments across the country. These unrestrained political abuses, anarchy and repulsive recourse to killings are not within the limits of democratic norms and these should be disabused towards smooth elections ahead.
