By;
Mustapha Usman Bash.
The supposed “consultative” visit by the Adamawa State APC leadership is about to hit a dead end. For one, the visit has remained what it has always been, a needless venture. But of more importance to this writer is the fact that a number of the respected elders and stakeholders have told the leadership the home truth. That putting their house in order was more important than taking a position against any of the contestants for the office of the governor of Adamawa state. They were told by the majority of the stakeholders that if they had been more careful in addressing matters of fairness and equity, the party would not have been in this unfortunate situation.
One of the most statesmanlike of the stakeholders was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Barrister Boss Mustapha,CFR. He was quite frank, honest and forthright in telling the delegation that the situation we found ourselves in Adamawa APC is a product of our inability to handle simple matters in a simple way. He told them that going on an ego trip and claiming rights will only make matters worse. He was genuinely in support of total reconciliation for the progress of the party. Like all patriotic and experienced Democrats the SGF spoke passionately about the dangers and setbacks of APC not having a gubernatorial candidate in the next election. We are indeed very proud of our SGF and unlike the party leadership that refused to see reason in the patriotic position of Barrister Boss Mustapha, we align with his position one hundred percent and will do everything to ensure that the party is reunited and that a reputable and popular gubernatorial candidate flies the flag of the party and wins the election in March 2023. This is the minimum required of all patriotic and loyal party members, most especially those in leadership positions.
As for the party Leadership, we are amazed to hear that they are still in Abuja. Their apologists claim that they are still around because they have been promised a visit to Her Excellency the First Lady Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dragging the name and respected office of the First Lady to a situation that was messed up by our inability to conduct ourselves deligently is the greatest disservice we can do to the Mother of the Nation. The worst of their uncultured boastfulness is the claim that Her Excellency the First Lady will intervene in a judicial process at the Appellate level by ensuring that a candidate they support other than the one disqualified by the Federal High Court will be declared winner of the nomination process. Other options they claim the First Lady will advance on their behalf if the first one proves impossible is a repeat of the nomination exercise. The worst set of the leaders and their apologists are those claiming to support a situation where the party ends up without a candidate in the next election. For this set of people, a “no candidate” is better than the person they don’t like. For party members at any level including leadership positions to wish their party a “no candidate” situation is not only unfortunate but appalling. How could that be? That as party leaders they have expressed an open preference to a candidate in a contest between members of their party is bad enough, but to wish that if their preference does not prevail the party members should be punished by not having a candidate in the elections is the height of indiscretion and callous insensitivity. This writer is confident that not only Her Excellency the First Lady but all reasonable and responsible party leaders would not support such a situation.
Her Excellency the First Lady is a patriotic and loyal party woman who is committed to ensuring that APC wins the next election at all levels. That’s why she is leading the campaign to mobilize women to ensure the victory of the APC presidential candidate in the 2023 elections. Earlier, Her Excellency had led a strong delegation to the National Assembly to ensure effective women participation in the political space. How could anyone contemplate or even consider going to Her Excellency to request her to join an unholy alliance that either hurts the APC as a party or the opening of the space for a woman to become governor? As a matter of fact it will be a great tribute to Her Excellency that during her time as mother of the Nation that a woman Governor was elected and it happened in her state of origin. This is the kind of legacy anyone who loves Her Excellency should help her achieve as she ends her eventful tenure as the First Lady Federal Republic of Nigeria. To insinuate that Her Excellency will interfere with a judicial process is to bring our revered judiciary to disrepute. The earlier the purveyors of such narratives stop the better. If I were the First Lady I will never receive a group with this kind of agenda or mindset.
Perhaps at this juncture it will be pertinent to remind the party leaders that they are on a journey that is totally at cross purposes with the mood of the ordinary people in Adamawa State. The protests by ordinary women and youth are pointers to the feelings of ordinary citizens towards the situation in the state. Lacking what to say about the unprecedented occurrence, apologists of the party leadership are busy spewing lies to the effect that the protests are sponsored or that the crowd is rented. Certain individuals have been accused falsely of collecting money for the purpose. But, what the accusers do not understand or realize is that not everyone operates the way they do. Not everyone has a price or lacks the conscience to operate beyond pecuniary interests. And if anyone thinks he or she has the same popularity within the public domain, let the person organize a similar protest. This writer salutes these courageous women and many other women who gave birth to children and named them after the acclaimed winner of the past nomination process. We appreciate their resilience even in the face of intimidation. Our democracy today is a product of such commitments to stand by what is right, to endure the pains associated with the struggle for justice and to operate within the dictates of one’s conscience.
On a Final note this writer is aware of a legion of hired mercenary elements who are lined up to insult anyone who spoke the truth to the leadership of the party and the tendency they represent. We shall not be moved nor even glorify them with any form of attention let alone respond. As a matter of fact we will be happy to be the reason they get their pay from their pay masters. We are also assuring the SGF and Her Excellency the First Lady that we will continue to join them in advocating for an amicable resolution of the impasse. All patriots should be committed to ensuring that our party the APC has candidates for all offices including that of the Governor of Adamawa state. All patriots and party faithfuls should ensure that we deliver our presidential, gubernatorial, National and State Assembly candidates at all levels. That should be our commitment. That should be our collective goal. Perhaps if at all Her Excellency the First Lady will receive any group on this matter including the leadership of the party, that should be her message to them. But if we are to properly advise, Her Excellency should not receive anyone to discuss any crisis situation. Her Excellency’s interest should be to receive reports on road maps designed to achieve success that deliver Adamawa to APC in 2023.
Indeed out of the ashes of this crisis shall emerge a resounding victory for APC in the 2023 elections. Never in the history of party politics in Adamawa State have the people been so galvanized and conscentized like they are doing today. And all the mobilization is for the APC. That’s a reservoir for us to harvest. Perhaps the leadership is blinded by one-sidedness to realize this. The opposition cannot sleep because of what women and youth are doing on the streets of our towns and communities. That’s the real Koko!
