THE CLASH OF PARTY AND NATIONAL INTERESTS IN NIGERIA

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is Nigeria’s ruling party. Its interest has clashed with that of corporate Nigeria. Unfortunately, the political class is carrying on as if Nigeria is a lawless country. It is a massive shame that a constitutional democracy can allow the interest of one political party to distort its constitution.

Up till now, the issue of rotational presidency is foreign to Nigerian constitution. That is to say; the constitution has not prescribed that the nation’s presidency rotates between the north and southern tribal divide. Contemplating it is therefore not just an insult on the constitution, but an indictment on those championing it.

By allowing the issue of rotational presidency remain in the public domain implies that Nigeria’s constitution is not supreme. This is dangerous and capable of collapsing the pillars that hold up Nigeria as a country. Political parties should not be allowed to hide under the banner of freedom to undermine the sanctity of rule, law, and order.

The constitution of all political parties must be legislated to conform to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. If not so, one or more political parties would wake up one morning and fix that only homosexuals are qualified to aspire to be president. Another party may just decide that only ex-convicts are qualified to be president. It is also possible that some parties would suggest that only bachelors are eligible to contest the presidency. To avoid all of these, let all political parties work within the framework of the constitution.

In another breadth, it is even possible that the clamour for rotational presidency is a ploy to kill and bury the PDP. If not so, I do not see any reason why democrats would choose to dance naked on the head of democracy. The leadership of PDP should come out and declare its stand on zoning so that Nigerians can know the political path to follow.

There is no doubt about the fact that PDP will die the moment zoning is adopted. Nigerians are tired of poor political leadership. It is necessary to note here that we cannot talk of political reforms when internal democracy is foreign to political parties in Nigeria. As the ruling party, PDP must show good example by shunning all undemocratic and unconstitutional practices. This is the only way Nigeria can achieve political growth, which would in turn stimulate socio-economic rejuvenation.