THE dictionary has many definitions for politics, but the one that pleases me most, is that which describes politics as, activities aimed at improving someone’s status or increasing power within an organization. While it says politics has the ambition of improving someone’s status, I think, it deliberately became economic with details, on the problems it brings to people who hold positions in politics. And these problems are as numerous as the positions provided, particularly for people holding political positions in Nigeria.
If a new dictionary were to be written, specifically for Nigeria, political positions would be renamed as, problems. Yes, because, the minute you assume political office in Nigeria, you have signed an unwritten contract with problems, knowingly or unknowingly. Everything you do or say, carries an interpretation that may cascade into a problem, or problems, for you. That is the predicament, that necessarily comes to anyone holding a political position, particularly in Nigeria.
The disposition of political office holders to problems is more mournful in Nigeria’s type of democracy, where priority is placed on the disapproval of all actions, simply because of perceived faults, or political differences. On many occasions, changes are made in the system, for the good of the public, but for some reasons, the same public may choose to deny their inbuilt fringe benefits.
Those who introduced the changes would be charged, or accused of introducing something for the exclusive benefit of themselves, or their cronies. Seeking, or concentrating on one’s own advantage and pleasure, are permanent allegations that hang on the head of anyone in political position in Nigeria. That is while the person is in the office. A bigger problem awaits him or her, when he or she leaves the office.
Starting from Friday night to the best part of the weekend, my phone was inundated with calls, all of them were for enquiries, with regards the position or fate, of Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the erstwhile National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. As the National Director of Publicity, media colleagues were calling to seek clarifications, which I understand.
But others, some of whom are nothing but interfering busy bodies, were calling to quench their thirst, because a political office holder had fallen prey to the predisposition of problems. Everyone wants to know the truth about the speculated resignation of the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Even after the party had issued a statement, confirming the resignation and aligning with the position of Ganduje, that he resigned on health grounds, the naysayers were not ready to relax. They went all over the social media with all manner of negative narratives, ranging from the allegations of corruption to the premature permutations for 2027. That is the other side of success, particularly success in the context of holding political position in Nigeria.
Few days ago, the President signed into law, four bills, viz: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. The ambition of the bills, as advanced by the presidency, is to transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments.
Instead of seeing the merit of the bills, and giving the Government the benefit of doubt, like they did at the onset of the debate for the bills, detractors went to town, with dishonest stories, saying the bills were signed to empower a particular segment of the country, because the entire Revenue and Tax collection system of the country, are tilted to favour the President’s segment. Rightly or wrongly, that’s a price the President has to pay, for holding political office in Nigeria. Yes, the position has a predisposition to problems.
At the risk of acting like the mouthpiece of the office of the National Security Adviser, or the Ministry of Defence, I make bold to say, Nigeria’s Security situation is changing, it is improving. Nigeria is actively working to improve it’s security situation, by directing security and intelligence agencies in the right direction, through the harmonization of operations and the adoption of an all- inclusive community intelligence gathering system.
Unlike before, the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, under Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has devised an enhanced method of collaboration between the military, the police, and other security agencies, in order to maximize operational efficiency. And the results thus far, are very encouraging. Sources have confirmed victories of the Nigerian troops against multiple terrorists, bandits, and the evasive farmer-herder marauders.
For example, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway, that was hitherto a no-go-area for travellers, particularly the Abuja/Kaduna leg of the road, is now certified very safe any time. Thanks to our gallant security officers, for bringing about a change.
But, rather than praising the NSA and stimulating him to do more, the critics are in town with the tall tales of tosh. Like the other political office holders, the NSA must experience these negative consequences and suffer such repercussions, because he is in politics. And in the context of Nigerian politics, political positions come with a predisposition to problems.
- Ibrahim is Publicity Director for the All Progressives Congress (APC).