When Democracy Gasps for Breath By Kenneth Jude
It’s another electoral season. Grand, scheming, horse trading, plots, accusations, counter-accusations, finger pointing and all sorts are in full throttle.
In fact, when the window to express interest in political offices opened, many showed intent of contesting one office or the other.
We saw well-polished pictures, different postures on well-designed posters. Some, as always, went the religious way—the oft-used lines of “Jesus Project,” “Divine Call,” “God’s Time,” and all the rest rent the air. So, it’s not about the contestants, but God calling them into the race! This God has seen _shege!_
But a little over two weeks after all the beautiful pictures dotted social media and other media platforms, everything has now seemingly simmered down.
Everywhere is quiet. Those still talking are the anointed ones—those whose political oil has reached their doorstep. Those who apparently brought out posters, maybe bought forms that were in limited supply, have recoiled into their shells. Their ambitions have suffered stillbirth. Before the primary whistle blows, their fate is already sealed. Poor folks!
Reason? The stakeholders have taken a stand. They have spoken. And so, if you’re not among those chosen, it is either you obey and align with party interest or become a renegade—a black sheep of the family, if you have the nerve. Nerve, you say? Not here, please.
These men cannot live and breathe outside the circle of power.
To them, whether given any office or not, what matters is remaining in the good books of the “system.” It is important. No matter how long it takes, someday, somehow, there will be spoils to share—contracts and all.
So, in all, never be seen as an enemy of the day’s government if you don’t want to die of hunger!
With this development, those who serenaded our eardrums with tales of how good they are—how they can perform better in a particular office, how their antecedents qualify them for the new office they seek, how zoning favours them, and all that crab—have all gone mute. Pathetic.
We have seen press releases from some of them to the effect that they have withdrawn from whatever office they aspired to. To them, it is for party interest, cohesion and…na dem sabi.
In all of this, what happens to their supporters—those who believed they were serious about their ambitions? Now that they have negotiated and secured a soft landing for themselves, what is on the table for their die-hard supporters and cheerleaders?
In withdrawing, they make it look as though it comes from the heart, but deep down, pain and heartache stand tall. The real reason is to remain where the bread is currently buttered. Few (if any) can live away from government freebies. If they had balls, they would pursue such ambitions in other political parties; but since it is all about self-preservation, in their lily-liveredness, they have thrown in the towel. Vegetables!
The current political reality has killed competitiveness, constricted the democratic space, and rendered the masses otiose in matters of choosing who leads them at any level.
Today, before party primaries, those who will return and ascend political offices are already known in Akwa Ibom and some other states. No competition. No opposing voice. Those chosen have gone to bed, waiting for coronation day. Nothing is happening again in the political space. They can even afford the luxury of travelling out to cool off and return when it is D-day. No effort to convince the people why they deserve to be supported.
To them, who are the people when I have already been anointed? The only thing left is to keep money for entertainment and “transport fare” on nomination day. It is a game of the elites, by the elites, and for the elites.
Now, a young, upwardly mobile chap with the desire to serve his people and give effective leadership cannot even throw his hat in the ring. How can he, when the space has been shut? This essayist learnt that apart from being advised not to bother purchasing forms, some offices either had just one form printed or none at all. It is a system of “if you don’t like it, forget about it!” After all, with the new electoral law, you cannot defect to another party after primaries. So, you are caged in a coven, a cauldron you cannot escape, but must endure with studied equanimity.
We have lost it democratically.
Those who hold power do not want to leave, even when they cannot boldly point to any meaningful thing they have done or are doing with that power—other than philandering around with impressionable minds, driving posh cars, living large, and dishing out satan-sanctioned impunity to those working under them.
Today, some, in a bid to flatter yet deceive, have turned emergency philanthropists; giving out what they did not since 2023 has become their pastime. They have suddenly developed love for their people. The “interest of the people” has now become their interest.
The people, ever docile, largely illiterate, poor and hungry are praising them to the high heavens, clapping and giving them names they do not deserve. They have forgotten how they were abandoned to their fate barely three years ago.
All those who clamoured for power shift to their area have now returned to their cocoons. No more talk of marginalisation. Suddenly, everything is okay.
And now, if a young chap—who is not privy to or a beneficiary of the exchanged notes—dares to stand up for justice, the elders come at him hammer and tongs, describing him as a stubborn brat who wants to destabilise the peace and unity of the community.
In a system where power and money are concentrated in one place, the youths have become willing tools for dirty jobs. Even as fellow young people speak up for what will benefit them, they prefer chains that appear like heaven today. They are paid peanuts to come after you with slings and cudgels. The senders have their children in the best schools around the globe, and upon return, those children will take over the offices their parents hold today. We see it in Ebonyi State with Umahi’s son; Wike is on it in Rivers; the City Boy Movement headed by Akpabio’s daughter; Effiong Bob’s son is on his way for the third time to the House of Assembly—the list goes on. The youths feeding on crumbs think they are loved. Far from it. They are being used to achieve the lofty aims of their paymasters. You are just a ladder—and a ladder you shall remain ad infinitum, unless your Saviour calls you to rest before time, or your senses spring to life before you are completely finished.
This is a circus—a dangerous turn that will not bode well for us going forward. This travesty may favour you today, but what happens tomorrow when the table turns? Politics is dynamic.
There was a time PDP boasted of ruling for 60 years. It did not take long before the party crashed like a pack of poorly arranged cards. Today, it is gasping for breath because members chose convenience and expedience over justice and fairness in 2023. They gave Atiku the nod instead of a southern candidate. That singular miscalculation has kept them in limbo to date. One only hopes the Turaki-led PDP succeeds, as they appear the only genuine camp ready to give the ruling party a real contest, unlike the Wike-backed group that appears double-faced and treacherous.
Those encouraging dual party membership today in the name of “Akwa Ibom United” should be wary of the future when this anomaly comes hunting. To be united is not bad, but are we truly sincere about it, or is it designed for a selfish end?
The Aniekan Akpan camp of the PDP, working actively for the re-election of Governor Umo Eno, recently took things further by presenting Mr. Ibanga Brownson from Nsit Ubium as its governorship hopeful! If the governor said he will keep hold of the PDP so no one uses it against him, then Mr. Brownson surely represents that arrangement. They even went to Abuja to submit nomination forms. All that stress in pursuit of nothing?
As days tick towards party nominations, the anointed ones are simply waiting to be crowned. No more consultations. Nothing to sway voters. Electors will merely validate what stakeholders have already decided. Months later, they will start grumbling.
So, when they eventually get the trophy after the general polls, their loyalties will automatically be to those who chose them. If na you nko?
But shall we continue in iniquity that grace may abound?
Kenneth Jude is a three-time NUJ Columnist of the Year.
