The race towards the year 2011 elections has begun in earnest with political gladiators grouping, re-grouping, merging and un-merging, camping to reel out the rules of the game to contending tendencies across the table; and in some cases decamping for lack of political space and level playing field. It is not uncommon in politics for politician contesting for one post or another to make bogus claim and assure his/her supporters that certain leaders within the party have already ceded the party ticket to him/her, thereby creating confusion of unimaginable proportion.
Ambition, they say, is like sea water; the more you taste it, the more you feel tasty. So it is with the zeal to remain in power in Nigeria. An average Nigerian would not quit the stage when the ovation is loudest until push or disgraced out of office. Just like children on the playing ground, they are so much carried away by the paraphernalia of the office and soon forgot the time to go ‘home’. Even when the leader is willing to throw in the towel, his friends and cronies, for selfish reasons, would urge him to continue and finish the ‘goodwork’ he had started.
In some states and local government areas, there are reports on a daily basis that some incumbent members of both Federal and State assemblies are repositioning themselves for a third term run with a resounding assurance that the ticket for both the State and National Assembly have been ceded to them by their political godfather. It is disheartening to note such a move is being fired up by those are more or less political liabilities to their parties; many of whom have not contributed anything meaningful to the development of their constituency through initiation or sponsorship of bill that impact positively in the lives of their people and the generality of Nigerians. To me, they have no business being in the house ab ignition safe for political balancing. Many of them still parade questionable academic certificates.
There is nothing wrong in making case for political balancing or zoning in the selection of candidates for various posts, what is paramount is that all contending factors should come to the playing ground with their best eleven; a situation where mediocre hiding under the guise of political balancing to lord over better qualified candidates is no longer ideal for the image of our country and indeed our democracy. In fact it is totally unacceptable. It is high time we raced the bar to ensure and encourage professionalism in our national polity.
Although, the 1999 constitution by virtue of section 86 did not limit the tenure of the Honourable Members of the Parliament, however, given the political pressure in each and bearing in mind that other people in the party have contributed in no small measure to the growth and development of the party and the people, the selection process has to be reviewed to reflect the wishes and aspirations of their people.
It is pertinent to note that the most states and local governments in Nigeria have not benefitted immensely from the 8-year tenure the incumbents have spent at the State and National Assembly, to warrant being considered for a third term slot. Third term slot is viewed as a continuation of ineffectual service delivery; with no visible impact on socio-economic lives of the people of this country. For some legislators who are already running their third term in office as honourable members of the National Assembly, it is a demonstration of their commitment to the ideals of democracy which informed being return by their people. It is a different ball game where in every sense of it a legislature representing a particular constituency for almost 8 years has not been accountable to his/her people in terms of dividends of democratic. Yes, the constitutional duty of the legislature is to make laws for socio-political and economic development of the country. However, it is widely believed there are ways an Honourable member of the House can use his influence or lobbying power to attract developmental projects into his/her constituency for the betterment of his/her people.
Given the peculiarity of nation, it is premature for a politician to stay beyond two terms as a member of the both state and federal legislatures. This nation is earnestly yearning for fresh ideas that will move it forward, and this can only come through creation of political space for young, able and dynamic youth who are ever willing to infuse the necessary energy for the rapid transformation which our country requires. I think it is high time we flushed out those old elements with archaic ideas from our polity and bring on board youths born after our independent. God help Nigeria!
No comments:
Post a Comment