FG’s summit of all political parties

LATEST UPDATE: FG’s summit of all political parties

I want to congratulate the Federal Government and particularly her two officers, Senator Ben Obi, and Col (rtd) Sambo Dasuki, Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Relations and National

Security Adviser respectively. The gathering was flawed to some extent, but nevertheless I found it to be a good start to what ought to be. Our democracy is experiencing deadly hiccups because incumbent governments see their victory as the be all and end all. They see it as a case of the victor and the vanquished. The spirit and philosophy is to run down the opposition to the point citizens lose their good judgment of having anything to do with the opposition. In some instances, citizens can’t even engage in business because the state will deliberately make things difficult.

Yet, the right disposition should be that once elections are over, the business of real governance starts with the seriousness it deserves, and for a nation like ours where the development process appears a little muddled-up, as a result of different factors, all good hands should be on deck irrespective of their creed, ethnic/religious background or political inclination.

It is within this prism that I welcome the hosting of the all parties summit. It is an idea whose time came long ago. But from what I saw, the last one should pass as a pioneering effort. As I said earlier, I found very big flaws. The first is that the quality of attendees can see far better improvement, and the environment can be greater than what I saw on television.

The environment for the last summit was restrictive and that affected the seating arrangement in respect of some sections that should have been seated much more prominently. I am yet to come to terms with why such a sensitive gathering where it is possible we abuse ourselves sometimes in the most banal manner should witness the presence of foreigners.

I have thought about it and still can’t fathom why we can’t discuss our sensitive issues among ourselves and get the world to hear what is good for public consumption.

This for me was a big flaw and I am harping on it seriously because in a world full of competition, no society climbs the ladder of big progress exposing its problems, differences, tactics and intentions publicly. Besides, in the world of imperialism, nations use the things we say about ourselves, and the differences they know about us, to fashion out their outreaches and responses to us, many of which look harmless on the surface but intrinsically contain seeds that widen our dislocations.

It was very revulsive for me to see the master of ceremony, Bisi Olatilo, use subtle approaches to make nonsense of what ordinarily should be a great gathering. The emphasis on General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was the chairman of the event as the father of modern democracy when Buhari, another former Head of State, who was humble enough to attend was still seated was offensive to good manners.

The height was introducing Buhari as leader of the opposition.

That appellation may well be true but in that kind of setting where the intention is getting all to play inclusive politics, recognition for a man of Buhari’s status should be restricted mainly to his time as Head of State. Abdulsalami has escaped a smear because the forces his administration unleashed took over power and are still there and as is usual with us, we hardly can take frontally to leaders who survive the times and continue to stay alive. But if they were dead, then see us shout and express our “true” feelings and use them as frequent examples.

I am one of those who believe strongly that Buhari’s foray into our politics has been of immense benefit pushing forward the frontiers of democracy. I believe this nation would have been a one-party state and the realms of official impunity so high and terrible if somebody like Buhari had comforted himself with yesterday’s achievements and chosen to remain in his comfort zone.

He may have made some tactical mistakes, yet it is important to note that mistakes come with trying which is a vital ingredient if any real progress is to be made.

He deserves respect as one of our heros and those who manage state functions must be educated on this. I was glad that President Goodluck Jonathan did more to acknowledge his person and presence than the event comperes, who at some point asked him to speak for All Progressives Congress, when in fact it was the turn of chairmen of the four or five recognized parties to speak. Commodore Ubith Ukiwe (rtd) was not properly recognized as a former Vice President. Our statesmen must be accorded the level of respect they deserve; lack of this has been part of the problem.

The emphasis on security and need for all parties to join hands to fight it gave the impression that

it was an image laundry outing for the central government; such postures reduce the seriousness that should be attached to this all-important meeting and can kill interest. Next time introductory addresses, especially by the organizers, should dwell on core issues of relationships, working accords, use of state institutions e.g. police, credible electoral system, utterances etc.

Issues must dwell on fundamental issues of state survival and improving the general climate of democracy, not essentially on matters that have the likelihood of being misconstrued as having power to give a particular party an advantage. Such meetings should not hold only when it appears like our collective recklessness has taken us to the precipice of destruction; it should be routine.

All said I must commend Senator Ben Obi for the outing. His reach in the Nigerian polity was clearly visible in the success of the summit. It is just that I believe he can do more. This presidency needs more friends, just as the nation needs more statesmen to speak for its survival, especially at a time like this. Statesmen who will speak about the potentials and advantages we have being Nigerians, leaders who like Shagari suggested should broker compromises and consensus, not stoke the fire of division by what they say, posture they assume and politics of subversion they play.

Our democracy needs peace and good sense of judgment to thrive. Unfortunately these are in short supply these days.

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