The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Minimum wage: Balancing feasibility and fairness

    Minimum wage: Balancing feasibility and fairness

    Sir: According to the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), approximately 720,000 Nigerians work at the federal level, while the overall population of Nigeria stands at about 218.5 million people as of 2022. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) recently proposed a minimum wage of #494,000, sparking intense debate about its feasibility.

    If the federal government were to pay #494,000 as the minimum wage for these 720,000 federal workers, what would be the implications for the remaining 218 million Nigerians not employed by the government? These citizens also deserve the right to a decent standard of living. Moreover, there are states that have yet to implement the 2019 agreed minimum wage of #30,000. Expecting these states to now pay #494,000 seems unrealistic.

    One of the critical concerns is inflation. An increase in the minimum wage to #494,000, which is more than 16 times the current #30,000, without a corresponding increase in Nigeria’s production capacity, could lead to severe inflation. This economic instability could mirror the crises experienced by countries like Zimbabwe and Venezuela. If businesses such as Dangote, Indomie, Nestle, Flour Mills of Nigeria, and petrol stations are required to pay their staff a minimum of #494,000, they would likely pass these costs onto consumers, drastically increasing the prices of goods and services.

    There are also political undertones to consider. Critics argue that the NLC, led by Joel Ajaero, may be influenced by political affiliations, particularly their support for Peter Obi during the last election. This has led some to believe that the NLC’s current demands are part of a larger political strategy rather than a purely economic one.

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    From a practical standpoint, the federal government should consider a more reasonable increase. A suggested minimum wage of #75,000 could be more attainable. While the Organised Private Sector indicates they can only afford a minimum wage of #60,000, they might need to stretch their budgets to accommodate a higher figure. If the government offers a substantial increase and the NLC still insists on #494,000, it would demonstrate to Nigerians that the government is making a good-faith effort, while the NLC’s demands may appear unrealistic.

    It’s also important to consider the broader economic implications. If a level 1 civil servant earns #494,000, those in higher levels would require even more significant salaries, potentially bankrupting the nation. More money without increased production equals more economic problems.

    Furthermore, any agreed-upon minimum wage should be subject to regular adjustments to account for inflation, ensuring that the wage remains fair and sustainable over time. This could help prevent future disputes and economic instability.

    The situation in many northern states, such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Nassarawa, Katsina, and Niger, illustrates the challenges of implementing such a high minimum wage. These states, already struggling with poverty and the impacts of banditry, would find it nearly impossible to meet these demands without borrowing, further straining their economies.

    The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) should aim for a reasonable and attainable minimum wage that both the federal and state governments can afford and sustain. While advocating for workers’ rights is essential, demands must be balanced with economic realities to ensure long-term stability and prosperity for all Nigerians.

    •Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu,abdulhamidabdullahiali@gmail.com

  • Drug war and Thai testimonial on Nigeria

    Drug war and Thai testimonial on Nigeria

    Sir: In an unexpected yet deeply gratifying commendation, the Royal Thai Embassy in Nigeria praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its relentless efforts in combating drug abuse and trafficking. This accolade underscores the positive impact of NDLEA’s rigorous enforcement strategies. Such international recognition significantly boosts Nigeria’s image, long marred by its notoriety as both a production and transit country for illicit drugs.

    Kriwat Pharmorabuta, Charge d’affaires of Thai Embassy in Nigeria, recently delivered the commendation when he paid a visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. MB Marwa (rtd.), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. According to the envoy, “There were around 800 prisoners from Nigeria in Thai prisons, but right now the number has decreased greatly; it is less than 200. That means it’s very difficult now for them to get out with the drugs. So, I congratulate you and the Nigerian people”.

    For years, Nigeria has grappled with the dual stigma of being a major drug production hub and a convenient transit point for traffickers. This reputation was compounded by the alarming number of Nigerian nationals incarcerated abroad for drug-related offences, a situation that has painted the country in an unflattering light. The spike in Nigerian prisoners, particularly in places like Thailand, was a stark indicator of the pervasive reach of drug traffickers exploiting Nigerian routes. Yet, amidst this gloomy scenario, the NDLEA’s sustained efforts have led to a remarkable reduction in the number of Nigerian prisoners in Thailand—from around 800 to less than 200 in recent years.

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    The decline, a statistical anomaly, can only be a reflection of a broader, more systemic change. It signifies that Nigeria is gradually shedding its image as a drug haven. The NDLEA’s strategic operations, bolstered by effective leadership, have started to yield results that are reshaping perceptions and realities. The commendation is not merely about numbers; it is about the narrative changing in favour of Nigeria. This progress, however, must be seen as a clarion call for more support rather than a signal to rest on laurels.

    Patriotism also requires that we all contribute to the fight against drug abuse. For the sake of a safer and healthier country, every Nigerian should see the value in supporting this battle. It is not merely a fight for the agency but a collective effort to secure a brighter future for our nation. Community engagement, public awareness campaigns, and grassroots participation are essential components in this war. The NDLEA’s mission transcends enforcement; it is about building a society free from the scourge of drug abuse, where every citizen plays a part.

    • Abdullahi Sani, Yola, Adamawa State.

  • Urgent action needed to address food inflation

    Urgent action needed to address food inflation

    Sir: According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, “In April 2024, the food inflation rate reached 40.53 per cent on a year-on-year basis, marking a substantial increase of 15.92 percentage points from the 24.61 per cent recorded in April 2023.”

    People across the length and breadth of the country have adopted (and are adopting) various strategies to cope with soaring food prices. It’s a picture that should worry everyone.

    A simple scan of households reveals that many families are shifting from more expensive food items to cheaper, less nutritious alternatives. This often means reducing protein intake and relying more on carbohydrates. This is inadvertently compounding the nation’s protein deficiency woes.

    Reports indicate that some households are reducing the number of meals they consume daily. Instead of three meals, many now eat just once or twice a day. Take a closer look at your driver, security guards and other domestic staff today, do their necks appear thinner?

    Fortunately, community support appears to be on the rise. This refers to informal community networks that play a crucial role in augmenting family meals. It can be neighbours or extended families sharing food and resources to provide a buffer against acute shortages.

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    There is an increased reliance on street food. Street food vendors, offering relatively affordable meals, have become an essential part of daily sustenance for many urban poor. They are a good reason many people are surviving. They provide a life-giving service.

    Many people have equally resorted to the time-honoured pattern of borrowing money or buying food on credit from local vendors. While this ensures people can live to fight another day, it equally perpetuates the cycle of debt.

    It is time to mitigate the adverse effects of food inflation. The government, the major driver of inflation through its policies, must now take several urgent measures to help curb it and provide immediate and long-term relief to Nigerians.

    The government must provide food subsidies. I believe that implementing subsidies for essential food items and controlling prices can help make basic foods more affordable. Subsidies on fertilizers and seeds can also reduce production costs for farmers.

    Two, it needs to urgently strengthen food security programs. This includes expanding food aid programs and school feeding schemes that can ensure that vulnerable populations, particularly children, receive adequate nutrition.

    Three, agricultural support initiatives must be pursued relentlessly including security. There are several states where farmers can’t go to farm because of fear of bandits and kidnappers. The government must stop treating the security situation with kid gloves.

    In line with the first point, emergency relief funds should also be on the card. Establishing emergency relief funds to support households in dire need can provide immediate financial assistance to purchase food. The Lagos State government, earlier in the year, spoke of a mass resident feeding program through local bukas. Who knows how that initiative is progressing?

    I’ll be the first to admit that the government cannot possibly do everything by itself.

    Private organisations also have a vital, even if, complementary role to play in addressing the food crisis.

    Companies can launch CSR programs focused on food distribution, nutritional education, and support for local agriculture. They can, in addition, collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to fund and implement food relief projects to expand the reach and impact of aid efforts.

    The food inflation crisis is real. The hunger in the land is pervasive. The government cannot afford to pay lip service to the situation. Concrete action is required, urgently.

    While the government take the lead in implementing policy measures to stabilize food prices and support agricultural production, private organisations can play a significant role in providing immediate assistance and promoting sustainable solutions. By working together, we can help mitigate the impact of food inflation on the most vulnerable populations and ensure food security for all citizens.

    •Elvis Eromosele, elviseroms@gmail.com

  • Local Govt. autonomy and Oyo Speaker’s faux pas

    Local Govt. autonomy and Oyo Speaker’s faux pas

    Sir: It’s a popular belief that the development of any nation in the world starts right from the basic level. No nation can confidently boast of accelerated advancement without the impact of the government at the lowest level. The challenge, as we witness today, facing growth and development in Nigeria is how to harness the abundant resources, through the government at the local level, to develop society and make life meaningful for millions of Nigerians, most especially the masses who form the main part of the country.

    If local government councils are seen as viable instruments for development and for delivery of social services to the people as a result of their closeness and proximity to the grassroots, I cannot imagine why it’s so difficult to allow them to enjoy full autonomy. I do not see the reason local government councils cannot operate within their domains without any interference from the state governors. How do we expect a separate section of government to function creditably when it isn’t administratively independent and financially liberated?

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    The debate on the autonomy for the 774 local government councils across Nigeria has been the leading issue for quite a long time. Why it’s taking eternity to resolve the issue is what many are yet to understand. Many Nigerians believe that the independence of the local administration, if allowed, will definitely go a long way to solve many problems that millions of Nigerians, most especially people at the grassroots, are facing at the moment.

    Recently, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on behalf of the federal government, brought the issue of the LG autonomy back to the fore. Fagbemi approached the Supreme Court with a suit seeking to force governors of the 36 states to grant full autonomy to the local government in their respective states.

    Meanwhile many Nigerians, including the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees hailed the move by the federal government. The opposing views, unfortunately, are being propagated by those who represent the same people the autonomy stands to benefit.

    One such is the submission of the speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin.  To Ogundoyin, granting financial autonomy to local government would engender massive corruption at the local level. He hinted that the state might not allow local government to have administrative and financial autonomy because of the fear that the federal government might use the local government chairmen against the state governors.

    As a speaker who wanted people to believe that his major concern was to make laws that improve the living conditions of his constituents, Ogundoyin was expected to be more concerned about the welfare of the people. He wasn’t expected to speak against the autonomy. The benefits the people he represents in the Oyo State House of Assembly will enjoy if government is brought closer to them were expected to guide Ogundoyin’s agitation. It is unfortunate that those whom people believe will be their voices are the ones speaking against their, desires.

    Is there no massive corruption in the local government even now that the governors interfere in their affairs? It’s even believed that the reason no local government chairman is yet to be held accountable for mismanagement of funds is that their allocations are not directly given to them. How can they be held accountable when they aren’t the direct receivers of the allocations?

    Ogundoyin, in another argument against the autonomy, believed that the autonomy would grant federal government the power to use local government chairmen against the governors. Isn’t it appropriate to challenge the speaker to clearly state in what way the federal government will use the heads of local councils against the governors? How many times had the federal government used the senators, members of House of Representatives and state House of Assemblies of the 36 states against their governors?

    I had assumed before now, that the Speaker would be one of the advocates of the autonomy for local governments; it was disheartening to hear him agitate against it. If Ogundoyin had known the kind and amiable comments the history would make about him as one of the speakers whose tenure witnessed the signing into law the local government autonomy, he would have been more careful about railing against the autonomy; he would have commended the federal government for bringing the issue of the autonomy to the fore.

    •Ademola ‘Bablow’ Babalola, babalolaademola39@gmail.com

  • Hala Madrid: System over players

    Hala Madrid: System over players

    SIR: The Spanish club, Real Madrid CF, has proved to the world that system is bigger than players. Wikipedia defines a system as a group of interacting or interrelated elements that act according to a set of rules to form a unified whole. The first lesson, therefore, is that notwithstanding your competence, whatever rests solely on you is not a system and is prone to a crash. Even in several religions where the supremacy of God is sacrosanct, they still talk about the host of Heaven. By implication, even God has a system where structures and functions are clearly defined.

    System ensures perpetuity. With a clear system in place, plans run somewhat seamlessly. Within 1998 and 2024, Madrid has had over 15 coaches yet the club has sealed its place as an all-time champion. As of 2024, Real is one of only three clubs never to have been relegated from the top level of Spanish football. Since becoming the first Spanish club to enter the European Cup in 1955, Real has competed in every UEFA-organised competition, except the Intertoto Cup and Conference League. They have missed out on European football only twice in their history, in the 1977–78 and 1996–97 seasons.

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    In decades, Madrid only failed to get a silverware in 2020/2021 yet they did manage to guide themselves through a raft of injuries to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and fight for the LaLiga Santander title until the final day. Real Madrid, with 30 continental and worldwide trophies, is the most successful team in international club football.

    Such consistent success in over 70 years cannot be attributed to players or even coaches. It is the benefit of building a system. A system makes it easy to hand over a structure from one generation to another.

    As a nation, Nigeria has to build a formidable system that will not depend on any individual(s) but clearly mapped out plans and procedures that must run notwithstanding who is in leadership position. An institution that can help facilitate a working national system is the family. Families must put in place value systems that are built on virtues such as hard work, honesty, transparency, empathy, selflessness and whatnot.

    Be like Madrid! Build a system! It lasts long, even if not forever.

    • Ganiu Bamgbose, Lagos.
  • Tinubu’s tightrope: The economy after one year

    Tinubu’s tightrope: The economy after one year

    Sir: Since taking office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu has faced numerous challenges in trying to stabilize the economy and set it on a path to sustainable growth. Yet, Nigerian economy continues to wobble with increasing hardship.

    One of the key areas of concern for the Tinubu administration is inflation and exchange rate stability. Inflation has been on the rise, eroding the purchasing power of Nigerians and making it difficult for businesses to plan and invest. The exchange rate has also been volatile, leading to uncertainty in the business environment. Addressing these issues will be crucial in restoring confidence in the economy. A change of policy or a change of guard could be considered.

    Another major challenge facing the economy is the high level of unemployment. Despite the government’s efforts to create jobs through various initiatives, the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, particularly among young people. This has hindered economic growth, as a large segment of the population is unable to contribute positively to the economy.

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    Nigeria’s economy has also been hampered by a lack of infrastructure development. The country’s roads, ports, and power supply are in dire need of investment and improvement, which has slowed down economic activities and deterred foreign investors from setting up businesses in the country.

    Over the years, Nigeria’s economy has been heavily reliant on oil, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices and local factors.

    If the current administration will ever get the economy right, the Tinubu administration must, as a matter of urgency, do more towards implementing policies that promote economic diversification and industrialization. The heavy reliant on oil exports over the decades has increasingly made Nigeria’s economy very vulnerable, which has worsened with reports indicating that Nigeria’s oil has been sold in advance for unspecified period.

    Fiscal discipline and debt management are crucial for ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s economy. Implementing reforms to improve revenue generation, without over burdening poverty-stricken Nigerians, reduction of wasteful spending by government officials and appointees will be essential in achieving fiscal stability.

    Corruption remains a major impediment to Nigeria’s economic development. Strengthening institutions, enhancing transparency, and holding corrupt officials accountable will be crucial in restoring trust in the government and attracting investment. President Tinubu’s government should prioritize social welfare programme and poverty alleviation initiatives to improve the living standards of Nigerians.

    By focusing on the above key areas, his government can reposition the economy for sustainable growth and development.

    •Comrade James Ezema,jamesezema@gmail.com

  • Banex Plaza and burst of brazen illegalities

    Banex Plaza and burst of brazen illegalities

    Sir: Two soldiers beat up not exactly to a pulp but in the full glare of onlookers and bystanders, some terrified and others not quite, and then in the global glare of the social media.

    Too much humiliation in a day, and within months, and signs of considerable danger for a regimented institution known for its discipline and indelible institutional memory especially with the attack in Okuama, Delta State where about sixteen military personnel lost their lives in the most brutal manner.

    True to form, the Nigeria Army had shut down Banex plaza, a behemoth commercial hub that sits like a boulder in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, where the assault occurred, reopening it after more than a week. If the army’s loss of face in the unfortunate situation is well imponderable, the losses of those who do business there have simply been incalculable.

    A pressing question Is why? Why should a relatively trivial commercial transaction descend into a fracas that has now generated more losses than imagined? Are Nigerians now shred of all dignity so as to  easily eschew the simplest dictates of civility?

    It should worry the few sensible Nigerians left that may of their fellow citizens have lost all regards for constituted authority.

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    It Is a good thing that the Nigerian Army has  recalled its men from the Plaza. They are not security men there and Nigeria is too  pressed for security personnel presently to have extra uniformed hands to push to gateposts as gatekeepers of a commercial plaza. Now that the resumption of commercial activities at the plaza has been allowed, it will surely not militate against the identification of the culprits who must be made to account for their crimes in laying leprous fingers on men whom the law considers defenders of Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty.

    What transpired at Banex was yet another episode in the open-air assault on the law which some Nigerians favour more than the strained dignity of judicial proceedings. This kind of assault often comes unannounced and is capable of springing up anywhere. It is a habit born presumably of the heady days of military regimes,  when the army gave an  especially short shrift to the law in Nigeria. It was ironic then to see men in uniform at the receiving end of this brand of cruel and crude justice.

    However, throwing in hands and stones or contributing fuel and match sticks to such gruesome expeditions is terrible advertisement for a country that aspires to become a model democracy.

    Nigerians must discipline themselves to refrain from taking the law into their hands. No one deserves to be punished except in accordance with law. Not the vagrant accused of stealing at the market or even  suspected one-chance robbers commonplace in Abuja nowadays.

    In a democracy such as Nigeria’s, acting in accordance with the law is a strength not a weakness. If Nigeria ever hopes to heal from the deep wounds of its military past, Nigerians must see obedience to laws and respect for constituted authorities as key.

    There is no love lost between Nigerians and the army as an institution. A historic animosity long preceded by the military coups which truncated Nigeria’s democracy in the 60s through the 80s. This animosity is rooted in the colonial era, when force was used to by the colonialists to achieve their aims. Though the Nigerian Army was not what it is now, residual hostility for those who bear arms in the name of the law became a part of many Nigerian lives.

    Many Nigerians blame the army for frustrating democracy in the country for so long and allowing corruption to fester. This memory carried over from the days when the institution was used to defeat the aims of democracy has done enough to shroud the heroic job Nigerian soldiers have done to keep the country from falling into the hands of terrorists.

    To strengthen the country’s security and fortify its democracy, Nigerians, and the personnel of the Nigeria Army must close ranks and work together instead of working at cross-purposes. This is necessary in the grander scheme of things, for any divisions would surely be pounced upon by Nigeria’s many enemies.

    •Ike Willie-Nwobu, Ikewilly9@gmail.com

  • Protecting children and youths from tobacco use

    Protecting children and youths from tobacco use

    Sir: In 1987 by member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated May 31 as World No Tobacco Day with the aim of drawing the global attention to the health hazards of tobacco products consumption on the human race while advocating effective policies and measures for minimising its use worldwide. The theme of this year is, “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco smoking kills more than eight million people each year across the world, including an estimated 1.3 million people who are exposed to second-hand smoke. Additionally, according to 2022 data, worldwide, at least 37 million young people aged 13–15 years use some form of tobacco.

    A cardinal question here is why the tobacco industries are targeting children and youth? The answer is obvious: to replace the millions of customers who lose their lives and those who quit tobacco consumption globally to keep their billions flowing. This is why they use social media and streaming platforms as a means to advertise their products.

    Medical scientists have been raising the alarm for decades that tobacco consumption breeds life-threatening diseases that include cancer, Type-2 diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, asthma, reproductive health issues in women, aortic aneurysm, erectile dysfunction, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It has been revealed that one in every five deaths from heart disease is linked directly to tobacco consumption.

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    The most painful thing today is how marketing campaigns of tobacco industries push children and youths into smoking and making them addicted through their captivating advertisements on television, print media, outdoor billboards), sport events, movies, public entertainment and others.

    The grave threat to tobacco control and the lives of children, youths and adolescents is the emergence of the Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). This embellished tobacco products are being spread among young men and women in many countries around the world.

    Few days ago, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Stopping Tobacco Organisations launched, “Hooking the next generation”. In the report they highlighted how the tobacco and nicotine industries design products, implement marketing campaigns and work to shape policy environments to assist them to make children and youths addicted around the world. The WHO is calling on governments to safeguard children and youths from falling into tobacco and nicotine companies’ traps.

    Last week, the Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “History is repeating, as the tobacco industry tries to sell the same nicotine to our children in different packaging. These industries are actively targeting schools, children and young people with new products that are essentially a candy-flavoured trap. How can they talk about harm reduction when they are marketing these dangerous, highly-addictive products to children?”

    Besides, the Director of Health Promotion of the WHO, Dr Ruediger Krech said, “These industries are intentionally designing products and utilizing marketing strategies that appeal directly to children. The use of child-friendly flavours like cotton candy and bubble gum, combined with sleek and colourful designs that resemble toys, is a blatant attempt to addict young people to these harmful products”.

    On the occasion of the 2023 World Tobacco No Day, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti said, “The emergence of new products, such as electronic nicotine and tobacco products are also proving attractive to youths, compounding the concerns”.

    The increase of tobacco consumption amongst children and youths requires passionate attention and immediate action from governments and relevant stakeholders worldwide so as to save the future of our younger and unborn generations from being infected by life-threatening diseases culminating in their sudden deaths. They should help work together to implement effective measures in order to protect the young people from the harmful effects of cigarette smoking and promote a healthier future for generations to come.

    •Mustapha Baba, Azare, Bauchi State.

  • On illicit drugs destroyed by NDLEA

    On illicit drugs destroyed by NDLEA

    • By Tosin Damola

    Sir: On April 16, NDLEA, in its routine drug supply reduction effort, destroyed a large volume of illicit drugs at its Lagos area office in Ibereko, along the Badagry Expressway. The 304,436 kg and 40, 042 litres of illicit drugs, comprising cocaine, heroin, cannabis and tramadol, were seized in 2022.This simply means that the two states of Lagos and Ogun generated that quantity of drugs.

    That ought to be a wake-up call to the public and the government on the need to act fast, decisively and effectively to curb the menace of drug trafficking in the country.

    For discerning minds, the development called for sober reflection. This is even more worrisome because the quantity of drugs seized in Nigeria by NDLEA in the past three years far outweighs the known seizures in other African countries. Globally, there are rising concerns over the surge in the quantities of illicit drugs seized.

    That is why there are even more concerted and coordinated efforts among anti-narcotics bodies across the world. In the case of NDLEA, the agency, in the past three years, seems to have found its mojo, and has been up and doing, as evidenced by its successful interdictions.

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    However, the growing volume of seizures by NDLEA triggers concern about public safety and potential effects of illicit drugs on communities, such as addiction rates, increased violence and criminalities.

    The chairman and chief executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) while speaking during the burning of the illicit drugs in Badagry, also expressed concern that the quantity of the drug haul speaks volumes about the extent of the nefarious activities of the drug underworld.

    It is commendable that NDLEA is living up to its mandate by destroying all drug exhibits after successful prosecution. This action will prevent the recycling of illicit substances back into the street.

    Those who understand the dynamics of the illicit drug problem will know that the volume of drugs seized by NDLEA calls for a societal action to combat trafficking in illicit substances. NDLEA needs to do more; it needs to be more proactive.

    The federal government needs to support the agency with more funding to squarely tackle this drug problem. The general public needs to collaborate with NDLEA. And of course, the court of law needs to get tough with drug trafficking cases.

    The country and its people will benefit immensely if all concerned continue to do their best towards tackling trafficking in illicit substances.

    •Tosin Damola,

    Lokoja, Kogi State.

  • Missing link in our 25 years of democracy

    Missing link in our 25 years of democracy

    • By Nurudeen Dauda

    Sir: May 29 year is now our “handover” day or “swearing” in day as against being our Democracy Day. From 2000 to 2018, May 29, was marked as Democracy Day. Now, June 12 of every year is Democracy Day.

    It is sad to note that, 25 years of our journey into democracy, our political parties have neither Ideology nor clear cut differences. Our political parties are more or less platforms for capturing political power. Their funding mechanisms are still largely from the state resources instead of individual membership contributions and other activities as done in other climes. Our political parties do not have a clear cut dichotomy in terms of socio-economic outlooks or programmes.

    The absence of political party formations based on Ideology is a major setback in our democracy. In advance democracies, political parties are ideologically based. People with similar ideology often team up to form a political party in order to promote their politico-economic ideology. They often seek for like minds as their members and or supporters. Members of a political party are supposed to be people who share similar political and or economic ideology.

    In simple term, a political ideology could be defined as a set of doctrines or beliefs that are shared by members of a social group which forms the basis for political or economic views. More so, a political ideology is a coherent set of views on politics and what should be the role of government in the state.

    Right wing political parties favour liberal socio-economic policies with capitalist economic model. On the other hand, the left wing parties favour centrally planned socio-economic policies with socialist economic model. You can never divorce or detach politics from the economy. You have to stabilize the economy for you to stabilize the polity.

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    Part of the reason for widespread defections from one political party to another among our politicians, especially, from the main opposition PDP to the ruling APC and vice versa is lack of political ideology. Politicians only seek for platforms to pursue their political ambitions. In Nigeria, one can safely say politicians only join parties in order to have political platforms for contesting elective offices not because they share similar political or economic Ideology. After all, the parties have no clear cut differences ideologically. As long as the situation remains, defections from one political party to another will remain a permanent feature in our political system.

    We need political parties formation based on certain politico-economic ideology. Having political parties and their support based on ideology will lead to having members with principles, discipline, commitment, hard- work, sacrifice, and focus where changing parties like changing clothes will be practically impossible or drastically reduce.

     For us to get it right, we should and or must discourage politicians from seeking for political power by all means and or through political parties defections. Our politicians should and or must build their parties’ support based on certain political ideology.

    For us to get it right, our parties must be ideologically based and our political parties should and or must begin to galvanize their support based through the promotion of a particular politico-economic ideology not regional or ethnic consideration. Our electorate should and or must be educated towards supporting political leaders based on their ideologies not regional or ethnic consideration.

    •Nurudeen Dauda,

    Kaduna.