Sometimes
we are prompted to quickly make some conclusions and decide as to whether to
agree or disagree with a certain issue of public interest. One of such issues
is the financial muscle which some of our political parties showcase in the
conduct of their affairs. For some people, all politicians are corrupt since it
is the same group of individuals at the party levels that eventually “select”
the leaders we have today, while for others there are some “messiahs” who are
available in some political parties who need to be given opportunities to rule.
The issue of partisan politics is becoming a source of concern to observers who
have noticed how the trend has shifted from what the individual can offer to
what the party can offer. One question in this regard is “should we focus on
what a political party has in store or what the political aspirant can offer
and what do we stand to gain or lose in our interest in any of these parties?
Anyway that's a subject for another day. For now our focus will be on examining
and finding out if our political parties are really corrupt.
Let’s
start by taking a look at the material aspect of their activities. Most of
these parties have their National Secretariats in the FCT. Although we know
that not everywhere in this city is as expensive as that, but of course most
parts are clearly out of the reach of the average earner. One therefore wonders
how some parties are able to maintain gigantic edifices in some of the most
expensive areas within this city. An average duplex can go for several hundreds
of millions, how much more such party structures. Can we say that maintaining
such party structures has been a collective function of its stewards at the
Federal, state and local levels? Well, let’s hope not because even if it were
so then we know that our politicians have created what can best be described as
“political homage paying”.
Secondly,
the people who constitute the political party give us a clue as to whether or
not such a party is corrupt. Of course what can we refer to as a political
party if not the people taking and making decisions in different areas within
the party? From the national chairmen, to the publicity secretaries, to the
chairmen and members of the board f Trustees can we conclude that none of these
individuals has been indicted of any atrocious act even before taking up such
positions. Numerous cases abound of how some of these top party executives have
financially erred in non-political and other political positions they have
functioned in. If a person embezzles several millions or billions while as a
Minister, governor, Permanent Secretary, Special Adviser, Commissioner or some
other position and a party absorbs him or her and writes off the previous
crime, then we have a party that aids and abets crime. We can confidently say
we have seen a corrupt party. Of course we all know some of these individuals
in question.
One
of the responsibilities of any political party is to give equal and unbiased
opportunity to anyone interested in a political position. However this is not
the case. We have continuously seen how several individuals have been recycled
severally into various positions. One individual can be a Senator, later a
governor, then a Minister, afterwards an Ambassador and the recycling
continues. One question is pertinent: Is it that such a person is so qualified
or that there are not other qualified people? It’s really a big issue. One of
the indicators of success as put forward by a friend of mine is to be able to
adequately equip younger people for leadership positions; in this area our
parties have failed.
Lastly,
the ideological position of our political parties is a major source of concern.
It clearly seems that wanton show of wealth is what these politicians seek to
deliver. Having attended some political fora series of questions have had the
course to run through my mind. One of such is that how can one possibly explain
it that some top party members are chauffeur-driven in very expensive cars
along with scores of motorcade? With whose money are all these arrogant show of
flamboyance maintained? Although some say the issue of “Godfatherism” is gone,
but in addition to the above we have seen how powerful the preference of a top
party leader can be in the “election” of political aspirants. Even when these
aspirants occupy their anticipated positions, one can easily identify the large
chunk of loyalty such politicians give to their party and its leaders.
