NO MORE BLACK MARKET ENDORSEMENT FOR ASPIRANTS

By Comr Lucky Futughe

Following the transition into civilian system of governance in 1999, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) was filled with seasoned politicians who knew their onion in the game of politics. The party was the envy of all, enjoying wide patronage across the length and breath of Nigeria. The party won several elections at both Federal and State levels, further boosting the confidence of leaders and followers that the PDP will continue to enjoy same goodwill that brought them into power in 1999. In this article, we shall x-ray some of the reasons the party disintegrated, eventually lost the presidential elections and other PDP controlled states.

People's Democratic Party is popularly called the largest party in Africa but what happened, such that it became an opposition. They say success has many parents, the good, bad and ugly claiming parenthood. Therefore, the PDP was the beautiful bride to behold. The leadership accumulated so much powers because of greed, hence caution was thrown to the wind. The lazy politicians took ample advantage of these negative attributes of the leadership to introduce alien democratic tenets to the party.

Languages like endorsement, super delegates, consensus, Abuja list etc were predominantly the order of the day.

Moreso, following the institutionalisation of these strange democratic practices, internal democracy was jettisoned through the window. Those with Godfathers,Godmotthers money bags etc held sway even when they lack the capacity to win elections. These unfortunate situation evolved into delegate buying, voter inducement, poor governance and finally weak socio-economic advancement. The lack of internal democracy is a recipe for political disintegration.

Besides, impunity became the order of the day with senior party officials compromised from Abuja and submitting contrary reports due to the highest bidder syndrome. What party leaders failed to comprehend, they thought they can never be ousted out of office.

To further maintain these impunity, corruption took a new dimension. A situation where every single opportunity is to acquire so much wealth through inflated contracts, non execution of projects, poorly done contracts etc. All these means of looting were to ensure they buy their way through any situation. This further plunged the party into another era of aggrieved heavy weights. The foundation of the party was gradually been eroded unaware to those in authority.

Founding fathers left, key stakeholders joined forces with outsiders, followers decamped due to all these unwholesome behaviours. Finally, part of the political structure crumbled with the eventual defeat of the party in the 2015 general elections. It was the parting gift these lazy politicians gave the People's Democratic Party, the supposed largest party in Africa.

The Greek gift left behind almost extinguished the life out of the party if not for the judiciary that rescued the party from its emergency state. The supreme Court Judgement was the breath of life that saw the PDP bounced back to properly position itself for the business of politics. The Sen Ahmed Markafi led Caretaker Committee were focused and dedicated party men that ensured the party is repositioned back to winning ways. They ran the party successfully, climaxing with the conduct of the National convention that brought about the emergence of Prince Uche Secondus as the National Chairman and other officers.

The Prince Uche Secondus led National Excos have made it clear that power belongs to the people, hence we must return back to the people. According to him, the era of black market endorsement is over, allow the popular candidate carry the day. From all indications, he is not doubling down it. All politicians in the party knows that, the time to work for your ticket is now, ensure the masses know you and vice versa. The return of focused leadership has clearly indicated that the party is ready for 2019. While the ruling party is an embodiment of all the signs of disintegration, blind followers of theirs would say all is well, same mistake the PDP made when internal democracy was abruptly aborted.
Consequently, it is our hope that the tempo of this new Natl Excos is sustained for the overall advancement of the party. The expertise of Prince Uche Secondus is not in doubt but he should be weary of those lazy politicians looking for unpopular endorsement.