Nigeria Politics: Instead of Crucifying Obi and Osinbajo

In the Nigeria we all want to see in our lifetime, Peter Obi and Yemi Osinbajo could represent the best of us.

Osinbajo, current Vice President is articulate, professorial, a lawyer who knows his own. Coming from the Ivory Tower into politics and national service.Peter Obi, the businessman, street smart, educated. Who came to politics from business and run one of the best state administrations in Nigeria in the past two decades as governor of Anambra state.

Both have decent political and social profiles in a country where the politician next door is a study in crass and corruption. Osinbajo has had little scandal both in the Ivory Tower and Lagos state. Even as Vice President, he comes across as a decent human being.

Obi fought dark forces to become Anambra state governor. And ran the state for eight years. His down to earth and prudent disposition to governance left Anambra state the better for it. As governor he went out of his way to show that a politician does not need to use state resources to show that he is powerful.

Listening to both politicians during the Vice-Presidential debate was both a happy and sad experience.

Happy

because you would see glimpses of what our politics could become. Of ideas and intelligence and a view of Nigeria of our dreams. Yes, there were the statistics not born by facts. That’s politics. There were false claims that cannot be verified. Again, that’s politics. But there was also an understanding of the issues the nation faces. When the candidates had differences on an issue, it was mostly ideological. Not necessary that any one was wrong. On anti-corruption for instance. Obi thought you needed not let the economy go under while fighting corruption. Osinbajo said that you needed to kill corruption otherwise there would be no economy. The truth is somewhere in between, You can do both. Fight corruption. Fight for the economy.

Sad

because, as vice presidents, they would hardly do much. Nigeria is run by a powerful president. And the kitchen cabinet he puts around him. The current Vice President, despite his brilliance is essentially on the road everyday defending a president who fumbles at the slightest opportunity and has hardly lived up to his billing. And I am not sure he is in this kitchen cabinet. As confirmed by the wife of the president who alluded that two people are behind the throne of her husband. Not sure the VP is one of them.

If Obi becomes Vice President, he will be at the mercy of his principal. All his postulations on the campaign trail will be theory. Unless his Boss permits him to do any.

Our challenge

How do we get a Durotoye or Moghalu to become the candidate of PDP or APC in 10years? Or have Obi facing off against Osinbajo in four years. Knowing that any outcome will be better than what we currently have?

As things stand today, that’s doubtful. While we will have the smart and erudite Fela Durotoye, Kingsley Moghalu and Oby Ezekwesili on the presidential ballot in 2019 , we know they are just there to create distraction and diversity. Sadly, the proliferation of political parties, instead of providing choice strengthens the two leading parties in Nigeria. The real work is to get these candidates into the position as the presidential candidates of the two leading platforms. The political elite know this and swing between the two to grab power. They know those are the parties that have the national presence and capacity to put people in power.

Elite : Be Realistic

Nigerian elite however dreams that they can get a candidate from one of these fringe platforms to become president. It won’t happen in the foreseeable future. Our politics is not that matured. In fact, democracy does not work that way. Look at the united states, in 2015, they had two bad candidates in their two major parties. They had fringe candidates in fringe parties. They chose Donald Trump! Just as they have done for generations despite third party options

The Nigerian elite should therefore coalesce into the two major platforms and work to determine who emerges as candidates. The electorate will now choose from some decent candidates that can run a country like Nigeria based on whatever sentiments that guides them. The elite must supplant those who currently choose the candidates for these two parties. Because those who currently choose the candidates have a different agenda. That agenda is not necessarily in sync with what’s best for the country. When we get to the polls, we end up choosing the least evil of the options. Not necessarily who is the best candidate for the country.

Parties must Groom Candidates

The political parties should put in place a system to recruit good future candidates. What if PDP had convinced a Durotoye to run for a house of representative seat in 2019. And get him to become the Speaker of the House of Reps. Or APC recruited a Kingsley Moghalu to the senate and ensure he emerges as one of the leaders in the Senate. In 2015, APC attached a lot of brilliant people to fight for the election. Including Oby Ezekwesili. But abandoned them after the election. They are all out in the cold today and running for office outside the party. It is not entirely the party’s fault. Everyone cannot be president the same time. Oby would have been good in the senate. First. And something else down the line.

And Not everyone must start at the Presidency.

Some of the candidates running for office in the fringe parties need to take themselves seriously. Some just like to see themselves on the ballot. No chance in hell that they would win. What they hope to achieve, I don’t know. If it is to get enough attention to get noticed by the big two and negotiate their way in, good. They should quickly do that. But they should know that like big institutions, you must pay your dues and rise from the bottom up. Expecting a red carpet because you are presidential candidate of a party that cannot win a house of assembly election is mere delusion.

I advise that they join the two main platforms and fight their way up. And not get discouraged once they meet an initial setback. Politics is a contact sport. So, expect bruises and disappointments along the way.

And Finally

So those who are out there making fun of either Obi or Osinbajo should step back a bit. I know you are doing it because you belong to opposite parties. Or you are blinded by your tribe or geography. And its normal in politics. But don’t kid yourself and believe some of the insults you hurl at any of them. Or help propagate. Both held their own. And are the better part of our politics. Just that that part is not yet ready for prime time.

Because our journey is long, and we are yet taking baby steps. But abusing them does not shorten the journey. It entrenches the sad present.