An Open Letter To The Leadership Of African Democratic Congress, ADC Nigeria
By Ibrahim Garba Wala
WE RESOLVE TO RESCUE OR BE RESCUED!
After having a lengthy phone conversation with a friend and a brother in the struggle for a better Nigeria, I went into a deep moment of reflection over my interest and intent of becoming an active and partisan politician. All along, I have asked myself, must every activist craving for good governance join or participate in active politics? The answer is capital NO, ideally. But when the challenge is obvious because of the scarcity of real Comrades in the political space, one has no option than to represent.
Please be informed that I will be blunt just like the spokesperson of the ADC being blunt to the APC government even though it is for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians.
The idea of putting a political coalition at exactly the moment that PDP and APC clocked 25yrs of failure receives an ovation second to the merger that gave birth to APC. In fact, the coalition got the attention of Nigerians because the timing was injurious to the arrogance of the ruling APC. We never cared about the criticism against the large number of popular political faces like the El-rufai, Malami, David Mark, Babachir, Nwajuba, Aregbesola, etc. The political noise did not only serve the party right, also became a launching debate that placed ADC on the front burner. Meaning, without these personalities, what else could be used to introduce ADC to Nigerians and the world in a country where the “decent” citizens preferred to be governed by the “indecent” and courageous ones. Again, the squabbles involving Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi’s candidacy under the ADC is also a good gossip that helped the popularity of the newly formed political party.
Also, the suspected attempt to scuttle the formation of the ADC by the ruling party was more like the case of someone coming out healthier after rescued from a poisonous attack. The registration crisis with INEC, the formation of the National Executive Council, the bashing of Nasiru El-rufai and the Wike’s style underground political interference, etc, were all nothing but a suspense-pack that made up a beautiful action movie-like scenes. Thank God today, ADC is more popular and widely accepted better than Tinubu’s new tax policies. ADC is more adored and lovable than the subsidy removal and bad economic policies under the APC that buried Baba Buhari after the emergence of the tyrant and bigoted president we have today.
Hold it there! Don’t celebrate the praises showered on ADC when all her adversities that turned her into a political treasure seem to be wearing away and tearing her down.
What is happening to ADC that is a child of necessity and the saviour platform meant to rescue us from the tyrannical leadership of APC? If truly ADC is blessed with experienced hands, where is the experience at work? Are we out for power only and nothing but gaining our lost positions within the Nigerian space? If no, why are we all craving to be the presidential candidates? Is this what matters to us?
Why are we doing it the APC and PDP ways, pushing and manoeuvring to be anointed? Why are some of us who think they have the followers using it against credible individuals who are fresh in the political space? Why are some of us getting ready to deploy huge resources to acquire delegates just to emerge as candidates?
How can we allow an opposition platform birthed for rescue resort to a bastardized process like that of PDP and same as the one that ruined APC. Can’t we learn from the struggle that ushered in APC? Is the story of Baba Buhari not still fresh in our minds?
Remember that the late President Buhari’s political pedigree was a product of a long-standing fight from his inner self to his public life. He journeyed through loneliness and valley of mockery politically until he climbed the mountain of success. His story was not for riches but wishes as witnessed. His popularity was never a guarantee for his victory but a source of hope through the path of perseverance. Buhari’s sincerity of purpose got him there, not the friends and powerful associates. He had faith right from the day he envisioned his mission. He took several steps in his political journey until age and health showed up after his victory and cuts short his performance. Even though, Buhari’s paragraph in my open letter is not about his performance after victory. It is about good political motive, consistency, perseverance, and faith that endeared him to large followers that trended into voters.
Therefore, what can ADC learn from the journey of late President Buhari rather than those values that will make Nigerians believe in her vision, purpose, and faith?
Why can’t ADC define clearly her purpose, mission and vision to the common man by way of erecting grassroots structures across the states and use the all as the medium to reachbout to Nigerians and let voters see and understand her difference with APC and PDP?
Why can’t everyone willing to contest be allowed to make a decision and also not request assurance of being the only candidate? Let ADC paint a true picture of what voting process and procedures of delegate elections will be like. Meaning, is ADC likely going to use money and buy delegates and votes like it done in other political parties?
ADC shouldn’t bother explaining the little crisis across the states, it’s nothing but a product of internal democracy within the party, but what are the mechanisms put in place to instil confidence in the minds of patriotic Nigerians?
In essence, how transparent is ADC when compared to other political parties? How ADC runs her administrative affairs as a party prior to campaign or election days will reveal a lot to Nigerians the difference between her and others. For example, if it is not necessary to reveal the donors that contributes cash to ADC for the sake of privacy and witch-hunt, can we tell Nigerians how a prospective candidate ended up donating his office building as the National Secretariat? What was the arrangement, and how will such office donations not affect the morales of other intending candidates?
We must be bold to set the stage as a new and fresh platform like never before. Individuals must make sacrifices from what they possess unconditionally and without expecting anything in return but giving back to Nigeria.
Finally, ADC must evidently communicate her readiness to rescue our institutions and get back her authority in order to let Nigerians see where we are heading to. Nigerians will welcome ADC once they are convinced with the practical steps and measures taken at this stage by the drivers who are out to rewrite history. Let us ignore the noisemakers and focus on the rescue mission we are on. if we cannot rescue Nigeria, we will be part of those configured only to be rescued in all levels of their lives.
Let us all reflect deeply and take a deep breath for a new direction towards a new Nigeria of our dream via ADC.
Arise and shine!
