By Emmanuel Oladesu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is addicted to crisis. Its problem is as big as its size. The ruling party has never been a model or reference point for other parties in terms of problem solving. APC suffers from its internal contradictions, avoidable acrimony and mutual distrust.
In an attempt to edge out a particular co-founder and a national leader, the party is indulging in inexplicable tactics that are likely to herald its electoral liquidation in the next general elections.
Curiously, the crisis-ridden platform is enlarging its coast. It is quite ironic. But, as more defectors are admitted, the party is simultaneously boxed into multiple crises of harmonisation.
The latest crisis may tax the party to the brim. There is confusion over the proposal by its controversial National Caretaker Committee that the next national chairman and presidential candidate should emerge by concensus.
There is the pervading feeling that those pushing the idea are working towards an agenda that may not be unifying. The battle for the soul of the party ahead of the national convention and presidential nomination has begun. APC needs all its key chieftains, and indeed, all members to survive. But, as the plot is being orchestrated, the survival of the platform will ultimately be to the advantage of the few, who are attempting to play a cruel politics of exclusion.
APC subscribes to three methods for congresses and convention. They are direct intra-party election, delegate or indirect election and consensus. Any of the three can be adopted, if the party is in one accord.
There are big hurdles to cross. The party is persuading members to adopt consensus for the selection of the national chairman at a time mutual agreement is becoming increasingly difficult. It may be the fall out of growing disenchantment over previous agreements that were annulled.
Can any agreement be mooted again when previous ones have been jettisoned? While some members of the presidential kitchen cabinet have denied agreement on zoning, former CPC Chairman Senator Rufai Hanga alluded to an “implied agreement” that President Buhari will hand over to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He said it was an open secret. It is logical. It is incontrovertible.
The denial at this stage is the key to the destruction of mutual trust and confidence.
Who is the likely consensus candidate for the national chairman? There appears to be a growing opposition to an attempt to foist a serving or former governor on the party, owing to previous experience.
But, the “Ex-Governors Forum” in the APC and the “APC Governors’ Forum” represent the cult of leadership. They are influential and overbearing. They seem to control the delegates. But, why they are developing a cold feet ahead of an elective convention beats imagination.
The lack of consensus about the proposed consensus option is delaying the release of the date for the national convention. The delay may spell doom for the pompous party. For how long would the National Caretaker Committee, led by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, remain in office? Can it remain in office indefinitely?
Is the law not clear enough that a sitting governor cannot occupy any position in as much as he remains in office, whether he draws salary in the second coveted position or not? Are the pecks of party office limited to salaries?
Evidently, time is running out for the caretaker committee. It is pushing for the consensus, with the backing of the Presidency. But, some blocs in the party are resisting the option. How can the interim party leadership wipe them into line, coerce, cajole, persuade or convince them, when there is no hope that the platform would guarantee a sense of belonging afterwards?
The antagonistic blocs are reacting to the “consensus chairmanship,” which they believe will definitely shape perceptions about how the presidential nomination of the party should be handled at the appropriate time. The thinking is that the consensus chairman, when he comes on board, may be strengthened to push for a “pre-determined” and “preferred” consensus presidential candidate, to the detriment of other qualified contenders, particularly the intended beneficiary of the hallowed fundamental agreement.
Caretaker Secretary John Akpaedoehede, who stirred the controversy and apprehension, said “at the appropriate time, APC will pick a consensus and agreeable presidential candidate.” Consensus, as a concept, is understood. But, the scribe may need to shed light on “agreeable.”
How would that consensus be determined? What are the conditions for consensus? A party source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said “consensus is seen as divisive, destabilising and antithetical to inclusion at this time because the party is utterly divided; the party is not at peace.” He also said many in the party believe that consensus, which is not mutually agreed upon, will prevent freedom of choice and amount to systematic imposition.
While speaking on a live Channels Television programme: ‘Politics Today,’ APC Youth leader, Ismail Ahmed said consensus should not be to the exclusion of other people.
If the terms are not mutually agreed upon, there is no strong assurance that any pact associated with the option would be honoured.
No fewer than 10 chieftains are said to be vying for the chairman, ahead of the convention. They include former Nasarawa State Governors Abdullahi Adamu and Tanko Almakura, and former Gombe, Zamfara, and Bornu counterparts Governors Danjuma Goje, Abdulaziz Yari and Modu Sherif. Others are Mohammed Mustapha and Senator Sani Musa.
There may be a split in the APC Governors’ Forum over the proposed convention, which may be non-elective, if consensus is adopted. While a semblance of consensus was adopted during the chairmanship contest that led to the emergence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the relative unity that made consensus to thrive in the past appeared to have evaporated.
Also, there is the growing campaign that governors and former governors would predictably behave like lords of manor, if they become party chairmen. It is debatable.
The national caretaker committee that was imposed is not enjoying popularity.
Apart from grumbling about the prolonged tenure for the sit-tight committee, elected state, council and ward party executives are not happy that they were converted into temporary structures by a non-elected national caretaker committee.
The six year old national party wobbles on in protracted crisis. The latest is the legality and legitimacy of the caretaker committee, which is organising the national convention, with consensus in mind. The emergence of the committee was not based on consensus. If the basis for its existence is tested in the court, it has a slim chance of survival.
It’s lack of sound legal footing nearly cost the party the mandate conferred on Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN). The narrow escape route was the ignorance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which forgot to join Buni in the suit filed by Eyitayo Jegede(SAN).
This may even put the Anambra APC in mortal danger in this year of election. If APC wins Anambra, would PDP or APGA not approach the court that an illegal national leadership conducted the governorship primary that led to the emergence of Andy Uba?
Will fear not be gripping Ekiti and Osun APC ahead of next year’s polls, unless the unwanted Caretaker Committee steps aside for a legally and democratically NEC and NWC to charge?
There are more puzzles: Will consensus respect zoning or rotation?
To survive, APC must put its house in order.
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