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What I Found Out Taking Part In Party Politics - By FUNKE AWOLOWO



Recently we were inundated by a plethora of political parties, altogether summed up to about ninety-five parties. Interestingly enough only the two major party's gained any form of significant amount in terms of votes. A reflection of grossed inefficiency and total lack of readiness of the party's, the voters or even Nigerians. To be candid most of the participants fully miscalculated the menace or the degree to which the electorate needed to be orientated taking into cognisance the malpractice and distorted voting behaviour adopted over the years.

Whilst they were telling the electorate what they needed to hear, they at the same time needed a more convincing methodology.  For me, it was just about time for the new move but the much-needed thrust presented was at its best weak. This group of nouveau politicians including myself did not fully understand the terrain or to what extent the Nigerian voter had developed indifference, apathy and become increasingly lethargic over the years. 

This is learnt firsthand as I engaged in one on one campaigns to my disgust many had thrown in the towel at inception and in quoting them without actually words relegating the activities to eventually culminate into Business as usual.  Many retorted saying to me blatantly that the winner had already been decided even before the election.  Do not waste your time, resources would be the response or telling me rather matter of factly, that politics is not for the righteous or innocent.  The game was for the shrewd, dirty and the compromising.  I hated the term game but soon got used to it. A strategy being good enough an application, it was clear that most if not all did not fully comprehend the inherent dynamics in politics. 

The first will be cognitive reasoning followed by an unparalleled zeal to liberate all and sundry and last a methodology that reflects preparedness.  All these were totally and completely absent spelling doom and waste for most of the parties.
I had a stint or even a bit more with the APC party in my area and I witnessed firsthand organised meetings involving different groups, where impartation, fraternisation, and even provisions were made available. 


From this analysis, I gathered that merely stumbling into politics without engaging the people and plowing them into sudden engagement was, in fact, a non-starter.  Yes there was a willingness on some parts with "otoge " wind desirous of a breather or change but it's application and actual demonstration was late, weak and somewhat unsubstantiated. So it's not just enough to have a dream or to mean well for the people,  this must be democratic.  Government by the people for the people must be people friendly, not strange, sudden and surreal.

Many were only too certain that the new brigade was a continuum of the old and how far fetched will this viewpoint be justified. Amongst the ninety-five, let us pick about five. For the sake of hypothesis, Kingsley Moghalu,  Oby Nzekwesi, Sowore,  Donald Duke and my own presidential candidate,  Gbenga,  Olawepo Hashim. I was opportune to have come across Mr. Moghalu at some Christian meeting arranged to effect a consensus to narrow down the candidates to one, and in yet another one by the Nigerian Tribune I think at the Sheraton Hotels in Ikeja.  

In my opinion, he had gained enough nationwide momentum and was savvy in terms of pursuing his goals and quote approachable.  This was a plus, he was also knowledgeable enough to demonstrate and articulate his intentions, plans, and aspirations rather succinctly.  Since passion cannot be clandestine,  he visibly displayed this strongly and soon became the sorted voice. So what happened,  he even caught the attention of Nobel laureate and many highly placed. I will summarise and claim the momentum was a bit too little and too late. Especially as I pointed out that a certain party had been on the drawing board for years relentlessly.

Oby did not catch us at unawares,  her agitation for the bring back our girls for me was an obvious trajectory for a political overhaul.  She struggled assiduously and became a pain in the neck both for the Jonathan government and the reigning one. So it was just something waiting to happen and whilst she was ready, she forgot the mindset of the core of the populace needed to be corrected and retracted to fit the requirements of tea new. In total disgust at some point or the crucial time she decided to distance herself from the psyche of bleeding her dry financially and otherwise.

Mr Sowore was in many ways the much-needed satirist.  Totally sold out to the plight of the people, noteworthy was his Sahara group.  This group unfolded and exposed various scandals at each stage. They voracious,  sporadic and audacious,  the most popular online news.  They initiated so many of the newest governmental flaws even before, most of our newspapers.  The bulk or a high number of us Nigerians were somewhat relieved to see him in the political race. 

Finally, a new wealth or crop of politicians were coming up. A man who could identify across ages, a youthful President.  Already his poster was up in strategic spots, many hoped that this will be the final solution spelling goodbye for the old.  The flaw was his overemphasis on his selling point the "youth". The Bible says woe betide that country whose king is a youth, or if you like a child.  We needed a middle ground as we were not quite ready for a total youth take over. The balance for me became the missing link. To be candid even when we blame the old for maladministration,  how convincing is this youth displacement.  What are the visible attributes,  with needed conviction?

Donald Duke possessed the full antecedents and was able to break ranks.  In the sense that many felt his input did not warrant the position but his popularity and longstanding unspoken and loud ambition for the number one job was enough. Many felt safe bit just in the nick of time, he was disqualified and replaced. The roller coaster effect was dilapidating for the party.

.Lastly is Mr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim,  his activities date back to university days, a rather passionate,  God-fearing man with a mission to put right the anomalies.  As soon as I read through his profile I was comfortable enough to step down. This was no agnostic or novice, with his vision and prosperity not minding the terrain we could make waves or even take over. At every turn, his interviews left many spellbound.  Clearly, we are not working with a fluke or an opportunist, this time he was clear on his mission. 

Ready to make sacrifices but alas many misunderstood his zeal,  took or planned to take advantage of his magnanimity.  I think at some point some silly man was making some inconceivable demands, to my dismay these are people you will see as respectable.  My interpretation that his good intention was wearied, the powers that be were overly threatened leaving is with unquantifiable analysis. What a waste I will say.

The way forward warrants a total revolution of our voting behaviour.  That we get the government we deserve is really an understatement. I have experienced too much talk with various circles, no one is ready to pay the price. As long as we remain laid back, we will have other people decide for us. Any format of revolution will not happen, without sacrifice , commitment and total dedication to modern day democracy,  those are the best we are going to get. 

If Heaven is going to fall, it won't be based on one man. A concerted effort by all and sundry, ignited by true patriotism and emphatic prayers in the right direction.  So we are not talking just talking the empowerment of regions but the rebirth of minds where nation building us concerned.  The quest which is to outdo the old, cleanse established anomalies will not happen flippantly.  Only with willingness,  strategies not over night but long term can refine the statusquo. Who then will go for us. This is the challenge for the upcoming political class.

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