In the recent times, as a public commentator, I’ve watched with bated anxiety as the Ekiti APC, either by coercion or voluntary is moving towards ensuring that no aspirants come out to contest the gubernatorial election with the incumbent Governor, come 2026. The frenzy with which the agenda is being pursued, apart from distracting the people is also making one wonder whether there’s no other altruistic agenda for the ordinary citizens other than perpetual personal ambition.
Without doubt, contesting for a second term is an inalienable right of a sitting Governor who is in his first term. It is enshrined in the Constitution, and so, it’s not a debatable issue. What is debatable, however, is the process; the do or die coloration, the timing, and the haste which I view as unripe and the implications for the Party as it seems to be working towards an adoption/automatic ticket policy, for the incumbent Governor.
For the sake of those who may wish to misunderstand me, let me state unequivocally that I have absolutely nothing against the second term ambition of the incumbent Governor, and for the sake of proper understanding, I will analyze the potential impacts of such action(s), if and when taken, and I will be simple in my use of words, for proper understanding.
*Democratic Process and its Implications* Political parties are guided by laws and conventions, and politics is made to be alive through contests and competitions, and when you remove active participations of members to slug it out when it comes to aspirations for positions, you kill the spirit that drives the party, which should be healthy, convivial competitions.
*Internal Democracy* – Adoption/ automatic ticket reduces internal party democracy and competitive politics; it silences alternative voices and fresh ideas within the party, and discourages talented politicians from joining the party. Adoption/ automatic ticket leads to voters’ apathy since there won’t be other interested aspirants and choices are limited, which ultimately lead to the incumbent candidate, taking voters for granted. Since he didn’t struggle for the ticket, there’s the tendency of the candidate to become a despot at a later time when he assumes office. *Economic Impact* Another issue I would want to bring up is the economic impact on party members. It is a known fact that during primary elections campaigns preparations, political gladiators set up different cells and coordinators to help them sensitize and mobilise support within the party.
They do this in the Units, Wards, Local Government, Senatorial and State levels. During these periods, so many social and political activities are recorded and a lot of funds go into those activities. In fact, for many party members, this is the only time they enjoy the Party because there are always many gifts, memorabilia, empowerments and life changing events that happen. It is also a known fact that during electioneering campaigns, aspirants go to their Local Government Areas, Senatorial Districts, the State Party Headquarters and the National Headquarters to sell themselves and pay homage to party leaders.
They also do these with welfare packages for leaders and notable party members. When you adopt a sole candidacy with no one to contest against him, there won’t be a need for these, and it has liquidity crunch implications for party leaders and members. *Reduced economic activities* When there’s a sole candidate and no serious competition, the local businesses that depend on campaign seasons will suffer.- Campaign staff and coordinators lose potential employment; there is reduced economic stimulus in local communities- Print shops, event centers, and hospitality sectors will equally experience reduced revenues.
*Power Dynamics*
Now, coming to Power dynamics, when you adopt a candidate, you’re wittingly creating an overtly powerful incumbent who will eventually control party structure, which is likely the lead to the following outcomes:. Erosion of checks and balances within the party- There will be the risk of sidelining party elders and stakeholders- It will encourage autocratic tendencies as well as create an unhealthy loyalty system.
*2024/2026* – Now, talking of the implications that “adoption” policy would create between 2024 and 2026, the quality of Governance via accountability may reduce since re-election is already “guaranteed”. Adoption could lead to complacency in performance; reducing incentive to fulfill campaign promises leading to disconnection from constituents’ needs. *Now, you may want to ask, what are the implications for the APC’s Unity at the State level?*
– 1. There will be internal resentment and factions. Some people, who are not happy, but who have no voice or who can’t really protest could break away and join some other political parties, and this may weaken the party grassroots structures, leading to loss of valuable party members
*Legal Constitutional implications*
Now, what are the envisaged Legal/Constitutional implications? The Party may face legal challenges from aspirants, who may approach the Court because they are not allowed to ventilate their constitutional rights of association. “Adoption” policy may also be at variance with the party constitution and guidelines. This must be properly checked, so as not to breach the law. *The argument* The argument of the proponents of “adoption” policy is that it helps continuity and good governance. What this school of thought forgot or forget is the political evolution of the youths, who are now asking questions and doubting the impact of godfatherism in politics, as it tends to alienate them from decision- making process. Today, they are discouraged and circumspect of the present arrangements of political mentorship and succession planning. They are wary of political monopolies, which stultify the quality of political discourse and performance.In summary, let me posit that “adoption’ will lead to the following:– Primary election will turn into a mere formality.
Party members will lose their constitutional right to choose their preferred candidate (in this case the governorship aspirant). Instead of a primary election, we will have a *coronation*, an election atmosphere that will lead to emergence of parallel party structures or factions.There might be protest votes during general elections- Alienation of party’s core supporters who may prefer other aspirants
*ECONOMIC IMPACT*
– Campaign coordinators and political strategists will lose potential contracts- Local tailors, graphic artists and artisans will miss out on campaign merchandise production.- The transportation sector will lose potential revenues from campaign movements- Media houses will lose advertising revenues.- Social media practitioners will not be able to function maximally and disseminate news.- Event planners and equipment rental businesses will suffer- Local food vendors and small-scale traders will miss economic opportunities.- There will be a reduced circulation of money in local economies( Ekiti can’t afford this)-
*THE BEAUTY OF CAMPAIGNS AND DELEGATE ELECTIONS* – Allowing for campaigns for positions, either to return for a second term or for new aspirants to come into a primary election race brings out some beauty in a democratic setting. For the incumbent Governor, going around for campaigns enables him to know whether his earlier campaign promises have made impacts as well as see physically those areas he still has to touch; the bad roads in certain corners of the towns and villages, the extent to which his efforts on the provision of drinkable water has been as well as meet with people he had not met since his last campaigns, for example. For the other aspirants, election campaigns enable them to educate the party on some of the things they will do and do better, if elected. To crown it all, the Party has the onerous duty to conduct elections, using an approved method of a delegate system, either open ballot, option A4 or other variants, depending on a generally agreed option. These are some of the activities that add allure and beauty to politics and which makes a Party strong and enticing to outsiders who may be interested in joining politics; to help build a better society. These are some of the beautiful things “adoption” policy will erode and be lost to the new generations of youths who may be interested in politics.
*POWER DYNAMICS* As the incumbent Governor continues to grow in power and strength, the Party becomes one of his Ministries/MDAs, leading to nepotism and favoritism in appointments and use of State resources. Another issue is the culture of political godfatherism, which has become very loud and visible. Presently, the incumbent Governor has political godfathers across the divide; both in APC and the PDP. This could lead to suppression of internal oppositions, thereby using security apparatuses for political purposes. With an adoption strategy, I see selective distribution of developmental projects in some constituencies, particularly when the second term is secured through an undemocratic process.
*GOVERNANCE* On Governance, with “adoption” policy, there will be a reduced motivation to maintain strong performance metrics, as the Governor will focus more on political consolidation, to build his own new set of cult followership, rather than governance; there will be the risk of prioritizing cult loyalty over competence in appointments and distribution of infrastructural facilities.
*FUTURE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE* On the future political landscape, *adoption* policy will be setting a dangerous precedent for future elections, as it will affect the quality of political leadership after it might have created political dynasties, which may ward off or discourage professionals from venturing into politics.Finally, it could be debated, but in Ekiti- State today, there seems to be no visible oppositions; no political Parties on ground that can compete neck to neck with the APC. The implication of this is that whoever wins the primary election automatically wins the general election. When there are no serious competitions for the office of the governor at the Party primary level, the people to vote at the general election become apathetic, and when there’s voters’ apathy, election results become a farce; a joke that questions the legitimacy of the elected Governor.Voters aparty lead to a sense of disconnection between citizens and their government and weakens citizens’ ability to influence policy and government decisions, which could make the elected Governor feel less accountable to the broader population. These are the scenarios I’m seeing and they are not good for the body polity. Let’s build a strong, virile democracy, which can be bequeathed to generations to come.
Ours is Ile- iyi, ile- eye My opinion, my position Lanre Ogunjobi SnrKosija@oshojokini*Nov 20, 2024
