CPC: A dampening of enthusiasm

It is not enough to mouth a principle when you have no decency to put it into practice. And this seems to be the kind of hypocrisy surrounding the activities and conduct of CPC leadership. In fact, it is unbelievable that a political party moulded in General Buhari’s image of integrity should be found wanting in the basic test of fairness, fair play and justice in the conduct of its affairs. The imposition and substitution of candidates is indefensible for a party that is perceived as a credible alternative to the existing disreputable political parties such as PDP and ANPP. Sadly, the CPC is now tarred with the same brush with PDP and ANPP.

Why should the CPC leaders ask their supporters to vote for candidates of their choice at the primaries only to go ahead and present the names of losers as party candidates to INEC? This was the case in Bauchi, Katsina, and Kano States. What has become of Buhari’s call on Nigerians to defend their votes? The excuses General Buhari gave for the policy of imposition are unconvincing. In Kano State, Mohammed Abacha, who won the gubernatorial primaries by a wide margin, was replaced with Colonel Lawal Ja’afaru, who was the choice of the party leaders rather than the voters. The policy of imposition and substitution of candidates is an arrogant insult to the sensibilities and rights of the voters. In fact, without General Buhari, many of the CPC leaders that have hijacked his mind and judgement cannot win election anywhere in their own right because of their selfishness and social isolation. They are now riding on Buhari’s back to advance their own private agenda at the expense of the General’s hard won reputation.

Some of the reasons given for replacing Mohammed Abacha were that he is too young to be a governor and that he allegedly used money to woo delegates. But in Kebbi State, former FCT Minister, Senator Adamu Aliero deployed naira power to displace the original founders of the CPC.    With this level of hypocrisy and double standard, how can anyone justify the injustice against Mohammed Abacha? At more than 40 years of age, is Mohammed Abacha not qualified to be a governor? As a University graduate, hasn’t surpassed the constitutional requirement? What experience are they talking about? The accusation of using money against him is diversionary. If the CPC leaders will have the courage to make any honest effort to investigate how Senator Aliero used money to hijack CPC in Kebbi State, it may expose many top leaders of the party who are enriching themselves without Buhari’s knowledge. General Buhari’s trusting attitude towards certain CPC leaders borders on sheer credulity. In all the political parties, including CPC, aspirants induce delegates either with money or by paying their transport and accommodation expenses. On this score, Ja’afaru Isa, Aminu Masari, Alhaji Tuggar, Hannatu Musawa and other beneficiaries of imposition and substitution lack the qualification to claim superior morality because the basis of their choice did not emerge by the general consent of the voters. Senator Aliero is a hard core capitalist and the PDP is his natural home. For the moment, however, he desperately needs the CPC structure and Buhari’s popularity to seize power from his estranged protégé, Governor Saidu Dakingari whom he installed into office single-handedly. But Mohammed Abacha, I strongly believe, will be loyal to Buhari just like his late father, General Abacha treated the Daura General.

One feels sad how General Buhari has allowed himself to be surrounded by hypocrites who don’t share his vision for a better Nigeria. He is surrounded by men who are desperate to benefit from his glory because they have no integrity of their own to win the automatic loyalty of the people. The fact that nobody is coming forward to defend the CPC policy of imposition and substitution is a challenge to the integrity of General Buhari. Nobody seems courageous enough to defend injustice perpetrated by a political party founded in the image of General Buhari. Shouldn’t the Daura General open his eyes and assert himself over the affairs of the party rather than allow some opportunists to run the show? The will of the people is the soul of democracy and any attempt not to respect their choice will undermine the moral authority of those imposed on them through arrogant substitution. It is unfortunate that General Buhari has not realized the damage the opportunists and enemies of democracy around him are doing to his reputation.

It remains to be seen how the imposition and substitution of candidates by CPC leaders hold ground in court.

Soba wrote from 95, Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, Anguwar Rimi, Kaduna. [email protected].

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