Politics
2015: Political Parties And Drums Of War
Nigeria is at the thresh
old of 2015 elections with political assaults, inflammatory statements and of course violence defining events of the moment. Signals across the states of the federation indicate that there is fear in the land as drums of war rage on; an indication that the major stakeholders in the Nigeria’s election project – the political parties and their supporters have not learnt anything from past elections.
If the politicians across the board have learnt any lesson, how come that it is not manifesting in their actions during the electioneering process? Looking at the unwholesome actions of political party members and supporters, one is tempted to ask, “politicians where art thou?”
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his entourage narrowly missed being mobbed in Katsina State by a large crowd chanting ‘Sai Buhari” on January 21 when the President visited the residence of the mother of late President Umaru Yar’Adua at Yar’Adua quarters. The mob reportedly threw stones at Jonathan’s convoy, but thanks to anti-riot policemen and soldiers who acted promptly to disperse the crowd. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed accusing fingers at the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the assault on the President.
In Jos, some irate youths, said to be supporters of the APC, also set ablaze two buses decorated with PDP design and pictures of President Jonathan and his vice. The unfortunate incident occurred two days before the inauguration of the PDP governorship campaign in Plateau State. Before going into rampage and destruction of other vehicles in the vicinity, the youths had also touched vehicles with PDP logo.
The embarrassment suffered by President Jonathan’s re-election campaign team in Bauchi State was another act of provocation and drum of war. At the venue of the event, some people suspected to be APC supporters, threw stones and other objects at the canopy where the President and members of his campaign team were making speeches.
Although the security agents did all within their powers to prevent the hoodlums from disrupting the presidential campaign, there were reports of vandalisation of vehicles belonging to the PDP presidential campaign by the hoodlums.
If the political assaults in Katsina, Plateau and Bauchi States did not record any fatal human casualty, the story in Kano is different as one person lost his life and campaign vehicles numbering about six were burnt after a clash between supporters of the APC and their PDP counterparts.
The political tension in Rivers State and many other states is so high that many believe the polity is sitting on a keg of gunpowder ready to explode. For instance, an explosive device believed to be dynamite rocked the APC secretariat at Okrika in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, prior to the governorship campaign rally in the area.
Apart from blaming PDP in the state for the explosion, Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari who also doubles as Director of Communications, Dakuku Peterside’s Greater Together Campaign Organisation said a situation in which heavily armed thugs invaded venue of the APC governorship rally in Okrika and opened fire on the workers preparing the rally venue was condemnable and a bad omen to the growth of democracy in the state nay the nation.
The political tension in Rivers State, however, took another dimension when two groups of armed youths reportedly shot at vehicles conveying supporters of the APC from Khana and Asari-Toru local government areas to the inaugural presidential campaign of APC at the Adokiye Amasiemaka stadium, Igwuruta-Eli in Ikwerre local government area of the State. According to reports, only one person died while many others sustained serious injuries.
When some members of PDP and APC clashed in Alimosho area of Lagos State, the story of the 2015 general elections that promise to be the most beleaguered since post colonial rule in 1960, was glaring even as the political parties are locked in an intractable crisis. At the Alimosho attack, no fewer than eight vehicles were destroyed, while an undisclosed number of persons feared dead and others injured.
Is it the type of democracy Nigerians cherish to have and sustain? The answer is definitely no. While the political parties, supporters beat the drums of war, they are equally busy trading blames and accusing each other over any form of political violence.
The PDP, in a statement, had accused the opposition party (APC) of instigating attacks on President Jonathan and his ruling party. But APC lashed back, claiming that the hostilities were the handwork of PDP in order to justify its ploy for the shifting of the 2015 general elections.
Memories of 2011 general elections in which hundreds of lives were killed in post-election violence, are still fresh in the minds of many Nigerians. Apart from leaving in its trail the features of misery, anguish and bitterness, the post-election riot of 2011 also left the country deeply divided along religious and ethnic lines.
Nigerians are apprehensive of an impending danger in the air. Against this background, a former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) recently met with the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, warning that the 2011 post-election violence should not be repeated in 2015. Abdulsalami, who spoke in his capacity as the Chairman of National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections, said there is apprehension in the land, urging Nigerians not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The committee was a fallout of the peace accord signed by party presidential candidates and their chairmen.
If the concern of the ex-Head of State is anything to go by, then “any Nigerian who loves this country must preach peace” because the wind of violence does not bring any good.
The pronouncement by the APC to form a “parallel government” should the 2015 elections be rigged amounts to heating the polity. The same is also true of the threat by a coalition of former Niger Delta militants and their followers that any attempt to unseat President Jonathan in the forthcoming election would be a direct attack on the Ijaw people and would be met with violence.
The ex-militant leaders, at the end of a crucial meeting with Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, in Yenagoa, said Jonathan’s anticipated victory in the election is non-negotiable, threatening to unleash violence and deny the rest of the country access to the oil fields in the region if Nigerians fail to re-elect the President.
The reactions of the ex-militant leaders, according to reports, followed recent attacks on President Jonathan during his campaign tour of parts of the North and other issues affecting the Ijaws.
However, elections are not war. Neither is politics a battle. Political leaders and their supporters must adhere to the code of conduct of political parties, especially in the areas of consolidating and deepening democracy, ensuring an environment conductive for successful and non-violent elections, political stability, enduring democracy and the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.
Why the threat of a parallel government or violence in the event of any shortcoming in the elections when the rule of law is there to guide every political activities and actions? As a matter of necessity, all political parties, their leaders, members and supporters should endeavour to adhere to existing laws and regulations pertaining to elections and the conduct of elections and should not do nothing whatsoever, individually or collectively to undermine, flout, disrespect or circumvent them.
Just as the political parties lack visible internal party democracy, it is not uncommon to see them engage in violent activities or resort to the use of inflammatory comments, provocative actions, or manifestations that incite violence, hatred, contempt etc. All political parties and members have crucial role in ensuring a free, fair, credible and non-violent elections. And it is not late for politicians who have fallen short in their utterances and actions to have a rethink in the interest of national peace, unity, stability, and development.
The signing of the peace pacts though commendable, the government should go a step further in bringing to justice those who incite violence before, during and after elections no matter how highly placed.
Election is not only about winning or losing contest. Importantly, it is about creating and sustaining an enduring society in which nobody should be sacrificed for others to win or lose. And elections will work only when major players like the political parties and their supporters are willing and committed, irrespective of party affiliations, to make such elections work.
Samuel Eleonu
A mammoth crowd during a campaign rally in Port Harcourt, recently
Operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society Network, the group described the ruling delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu as unfair and contrary to the spirit of democracy, urging the judiciary to consider the will of the people in its final determination of the matter.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Thursday, October 30, sacked Gummi for defecting from the PDP, which sponsored his election, to the APC.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu held that it was morally wrong for a politician to transfer votes from one political party to another, stating that “political prostitution must not be rewarded.”
He declared that voters elect candidates based on the manifestos and ideals of their political parties. Therefore, it was both legally and morally unacceptable for an elected official to abandon that platform without relinquishing the mandate.
The court also restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Hon. Gummi as a member of the House, and ordered him to refund all salaries and allowances received from October 30, 2024, to the date of judgment.
Justice Egwuatu further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, who argued that Hon. Gummi’s defection violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as there was no division within the PDP to justify his action.
But convener of the coalition, Lukman Muhammad, who addressed journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, said Hon. Gummi’s defection was a direct result of the unresolved internal crisis within the PDP, which, according to him, crippled the lawmaker’s ability to effectively represent his constituents.
He said: “We believe the court’s decision was unjust and failed to consider the circumstances surrounding Hon. Gummi’s defection. Gummi’s decision to join the APC was necessitated by the unresolved internal crisis within the PDP, which hindered his ability to effectively represent his constituents.
“We affirm that Hon. Gummi’s right to choose his political affiliation is protected by the Constitution and should be respected. We stand for democracy and the rule of law, while also urging the judiciary to consider the will of the people and the greater good”.
He urged Justice Egwuatu to review the judgment, stressing that the ruling could set a dangerous precedent that undermines the principle of fair representation and the rights of elected officials.
The coalition further noted that the judgment has broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic process, as it raises questions about the extent to which lawmakers can exercise their constitutional freedom of association without fear of losing their mandate.
The parties stated that the APC was on the verge of collapse following the recent wave of defections from opposition parties into its ranks.
In separate interviews with The Tide source, spokespersons for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) —Debo Ologunagba, Oladipo Johnson, and Mark Adebayo – respectively, said an implosion was imminent in the APC.
But the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that recent defections to the party were voluntary and inspired by the ruling party’s achievements, not through coercion. He added that the APC was well-structured, capable of managing its internal affairs effectively, and therefore would not experience any internal crisis.
In recent months, the ruling APC has continued to receive several high-profile politicians from opposition parties, particularly the PDP. Among those who have joined the APC are Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Most recently, members of the Enugu State Executive Council defected to the APC, a move followed by Governor Peter Mbah’s official declaration for the ruling party on October 14 in Enugu.
On October 15, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, announced his resignation from the PDP. Although he has yet to join another party, speculation is rife that he is on his way to the APC.
Similarly, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, confirmed last Wednesday that he would be joining the APC.
Numerous other politicians, including several lawmakers, have also abandoned their parties to align with the ruling APC.
In his reaction, Hon. Ologunagba predicted an imminent crisis within the APC, expressing confidence that those who defected would eventually return to the PDP.
He stated, “This is the major political party (PDP), and it is the only democratic party in the country. It has structures cutting across all the local governments, all the wards, and of course all the states. In every home, there are members of the PDP, and that is why the APC are jittery, and that is why they are coercing our members, using state resources and state agencies to force members of opposition parties to join the ruling party.
“But in all this, we are sure and confident that very soon, the APC will implode because it is a multipurpose political vehicle that is not going to last. It is going to implode.
“Many Nigerians will see through it and know that the party is not a political party that protects the interests of the citizens. So, they are going to leave the party and move to the major political party, which is the PDP. We are optimistic that before 2027, many Nigerians will join us because this is the truly democratic party and the only party that is out there to protect their interests.”
On his part, Mr Johnson of the NNPP lamented that the wave of defections posed a serious threat to the country’s democracy.
Mr Johnson said, “This is bad for democracy. For our type of democracy, it is important to have a proper and effective opposition. Already, we’ve seen a blurring of lines between the legislature and the executive; some would even say the judiciary. I hope not. I think many people are observing the trend and are unhappy. However, we need to be a bit more patient and see what happens soon.
“When the PDP was in power for 16 years, it was the party many people rushed into. Over time, it imploded, and many of those who joined it turned against it. So, I see that happening to the ruling APC. Definitely. This is because of the nature of Nigerian politicians; many are driven by personal interests. I always say that Nigeria can never truly be a one-party state. Even if only one party exists, it will become factionalised, with different interests and power blocs. Those pushing the country toward a one-party system may not have studied Nigeria’s political history carefully.”
In his remarks, CUPP’s Adebayo stated that the pattern of defections among politicians, particularly governors and lawmakers, was a deliberate strategy by the ruling party to transform the country into a one-party state.
Mr Adebayo said, “It is not accidental; it is a deliberate and strategic effort to entrench a one-party dictatorship. Whether these defections are forced or coerced, one thing is clear: it is an intentional action driven by the ruling party, particularly the President.
“This development is unhealthy for our democracy. It is shameful and stands against everything democratic principles represent. It is inimical to the growth and development of Nigeria as a democratic nation and poses a grave threat to our political stability.
“The implosion of the APC will come before or once it loses power. Most Nigerian politicians lack ideological grounding or principles; their loyalty lies only with the party in power. Political affiliation is tied to ideology and conviction, not convenience. However, the ideology of most politicians is simply the ruling party. If tomorrow the ADC, Labour Party, or SDP wins the presidency, many of these same politicians will abandon the APC overnight. They have no shame, no conviction, and no conscience. Their only motivation is proximity to power.”
In response, Mr Ibrahim of the APC maintained the APC would not face any internal crisis, asserting that it has the capacity to effectively manage its affairs, unlike the opposition.
He stated, “The fact that the opposition are not organised and they cannot organise primaries, neither can they manage their parties, does not mean we are on the same boat with them. Our party, the APC, has been conducting primaries successfully and rancor-free.
“So, the fact that they don’t know how to manage their party does not mean that is the way we run our own party. The APC does not coerce anyone to join. Those joining are doing so willingly because of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope achievements. Our party is fully prepared. It’s not going to implode; it’s not going to have any issues similar to the issues they have been having.”
Senator Ndume, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, accused both the executive and legislative arms of complacency, saying their failure to proactively engage the United States government on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria led to the development.
The senator recalled that he had earlier sponsored a motion in the Senate on “Christian genocide” in the country. The motion, he said, led to resolutions mandating the Nigerian government to engage the U.S. with verified facts and figures.
President Trump, last Friday, announced the designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ over alleged persecution of Christians.
President Trump made the announcement via a post on his Truth Social platform, which was also shared on the official White House X handle.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” President Trump wrote.
But the Nigerian government swiftly rejected the claims, insisting that President Trump’s assessment did not reflect the true situation in the country.
However, Senator Ndume accused the President Tinubu’s administration and the Senate of treating the allegation raised by US lawmaker, Riley Moore, with complacency, prior to President Trump’s declaration, and urged the federal government to take urgent steps to engage the US government with facts and figures on the activities of terrorists organisations which, he noted, were blind to faith.
“I have alerted the government, I even moved a motion. Nigeria is a sovereign state, it isn’t about what the United States can do to us, but about the misconception and the ripple effects of classifying us as a country of concern.
“We should engage the American government by presenting facts and figures. By engaging the US government, we should demand that they hear the other side of the story from the Nigerian government and the Muslim community. Muslims have been killed too. The genocide isn’t against Christians but Nigerians generally,” he said.
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