Nigeria has swiftly descended from the euphoria of a hard-fought victory to the basement of the horror of the recent past. A couple of questions spring to mind: Is Nigeria truly accursed? Have we unwittingly pinned our hopes on the carcass of the PDP?
Before Buhari even spends a night in Aso Rock, his would-be government is already in tatters. Whatever change we believed we voted for has been cast aside by one evil masterstroke. In whose interest is Bukola Saraki serving? While it is unwise and uncharitable to knock him for being ambitious, it is relevant to question the real motivation behind his implacable desire to be Senate President. Should Party unity be discountenanced in the pursuit of such personal ambition?
This political gambit by Bukola Saraki has seriously imperiled this long-anticipated programme of change, and dented the confidence in this new government before it even begins the most arduous task of rebuilding our nation. It is disheartening beyond belief. The way and manner the whole election for the principal offices of the Senate was conducted amounted to nothing but a coup; a coup against Nigerians. The ramifications that would emanate from this seemingly innocuous act of betrayal would be dire and painful for the running of a progressive government we all thought we voted for.
Like I said earlier, I personally don't see anything wrong in any person to be aspirational, but when it negatively impacts upon the cohesion of the party in government, it smacks of nothing but betrayal. The unity of the APC is now in serious jeopardy and the PDP can't believe their luck! To rub it in, we now have a PDP Deputy Senate President in Ekweremadu and a PDP Senate Leader in David Mark. Can anyone imagine the absurdity? How Buhari can now effortlessly push important bills through the Legislature remains to be seen. Bukola Saraki and his old party have effectively castrated the APC government before our very eyes. Is it beyond the realms of possibility that Bukola Saraki goes back to his old party? To 'de-decamp'? How wrong we were to think the PDP has been humbled!
Then again, I don't expect this to be the end of the matter. The pity is intrigues will now dominate the agenda of the Senate at a time when Nigeria simply cannot afford it, what with all the challenges we face? No matter how hard Buhari now tries to move things forward, he'll be handicapped by political machinations in the Senate and frustrate his efforts on many fronts. There is no doubt about that. He'll be stymied at every opportunity to the detriment of Nigerians who have suffered long and hard under the strain of corruption and impunity for 16 years.
Is there any hope for a resolution to this impasse? The APC was caught napping by the masters of politicking and trickery. Shouldn't alarm bells have been ringing when Saraki refused to attend a meeting called by the Vice-President yesterday, even though denials of him calling the VP an ordinary Commissioner were swiftly issued? The APC needs to learn, and fast. The balance of power has now decisively shifted in favour of the PDP, there can be no doubt that. Saraki is, for all intents and purposes, back in their camp. He can no longer be trusted, it's as simple as that. Any resolution that may be found would only be temporary and distrust will continue to widen the crack. The APC must surely learn from this political faux pas and fast-forward the programme of change before more unwelcome developments arise. Nigerians will not stand for excuses. Any undue influence that may have been at play in this whole sordid affair that resulted in their capitulation in the Senate must be nullified without delay. True democracy must reign in the party if it is to succeed in government. Saraki and the PDP have just taught the APC a lesson, another lesson could be fatal. Sort it out.
We'll see how Buhari will play his hand, but Nigerians can only hope that this rude awakening is put in the right context and his agenda for change is pursued with vigour and decisiveness. We refuse to be back in the doldrums.We expect.
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