I watched on television with mixed feelings how Professor Patrick Okedinachi Utomi the Nigerian professor of political economy and management expert, spoke with genuine feelings about the state and progress of Nigeria. He loves the country and strongly wishes for a great and developed Nigeria. He is planning to achieve this through a merger of all political parties that lost the 2023 elections in Nigeria. These parties are expected to subscribe to put the country above any individuals or interests.
A similar idea conceived in the living room of Prof. was tried in 2013 with the merger of Nigeria’s three largest opposition parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) along with a breakaway faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the new PDP – a faction of the then ruling People’s Democratic Party. He confirmed that good ideas and intentions were hijacked by politicians for their selfish interests.
In 2024, after many years of retrogression due to selfish leadership, the professor is reconsidering the merger ideas of 2013. I love the idea of a party with a clear policy and road map towards long- and short-term goals that would speedily improve the nation and its people through common, concerted efforts, leadership, and a talented, competitive, and creative team.
The real crisis with Nigeria is not different from what Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum described in his book, ‘‘My Vision – Challenges in the Race for Excellence” as the challenges in the Arab world. He believed that the crisis was rather one of leadership, management, and perennial egotism. In the case of Nigeria, one can add corruption to the list.
He added that this is the kind of crisis that is bound to happen when lust for power prevails over granting people the love and care they deserve and when the interests and destiny of one individual, group, or clique become more important than those of the whole nation and their interests are served instead of all the people.
Also, I admire the vision, goals, and will of the professor for a progressive and working nation. If the words of the professor are accompanied by actions by all participants—politicians and citizens—it is very possible.
Unfortunately, these genuine ideas proposed by the professor may not succeed if challenges and confrontations along with some trivia and negative attitudes that dominate Nigerian politics and governance are not well addressed.
I strongly believe that none of the politicians in the various political parties and their leaders would ever put Nigeria above their interests. Their early lives and antecedents in private business, public service, and politics attest to this.
The most popular opponents at the last elections were not popular and followed because Nigerians believe they have better plans and would sincerely put Nigeria first above their individual, group, clique, and trivia interests. Nigerians were tired of the past, old politicians, and the past and present situation of the country. They were ready to vote for a change. Among these opponents, Mr. Peter Obi was the best option available.
These parties would embrace the idea for the sake of winning the election. They would not live up to the spirit of the idea. The professor needs to be reminded that most of them had no good records in public service in the past. Also, they were part of the initial merger in 2013 and simply regrouped after they lost out. These are ‘’politician-business men and women’’ and they have confirmed by their past actions and speeches that Nigeria is their business venture.
The professor also failed to consider the citizens and followers of the parties merging who share a similar mindset with their leaders. Some Nigerians, if not most, believe no other Nigerian can perform better than their kinsmen. One group believes they are entitled to always lead the country. Another believes they deserve the largest share of the major source of revenue. The notorious religious and gender sentiments are there. These are just some of the major trivia issues dominating Nigerian politics at the national level. This is worst at the state and local levels.
Despite all these, Professor Pat Utomi and his merger gangs are only proposing a solution to the leadership problems through the merger, and the idea failed in 2013. A first trial does not mean it will fail now. They should at least consider all of the above and learn from past trials and errors. The already-known members of the merging parties do not need to be the face and leader of the merger gang now and in the future.
Nigerians are very tired of the present situation and words of hope. They have heard plenty of it. Nigerians need action.
Adebayo Adekola
Team Lead/Founder, Taitum Legal Practitioners
taitumlegal@nigerianbar.ng
+2348165299774
Post Views: 271
