By Ayodeele Fagbohun

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As countdown to the crucial party primaries in picking presidential standard bearers of various contending political parties come 2023 polls reach zero hour, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should be thoroughly circumspect in choosing a renown and acceptable candidate for the election.

The APC leadership and the comrade-delegates must neither contemplate nor embark on any wild goose chase untoward or unseemly, that may eventually rock the boat.

Without beating about the bush, in the spirit of esprit de corps and patriotic zeal and commitment to assiduously consolidate progressive government in Nigeria, the onus is on APC to take iron resolve to opt for a flagbearer whose eminence transcends the narrow, parochial confines of tribal and sectional loyalties.

Having successfully broken the jinx and age long pernicious rule of right wing conservative regimes of the defunct NPN in the second Republic and now PDP. It is vigorously asserted and canvassed that the ruling party must increase the momentum of good and purposeful leadership  to move the nation forward.

I am cocksure we will effortlessly find such ebullient personality among APC leadership if we are mutually detached  from wanton religious, ethnic bigotries and undue sentiments .

More than hitherto, Nigeria is in dire need of a charismatic executive president like President Joe Biden currently in the United States (US) who will serve as a potent unifying force throughout the country. He will radiate duty of care, love and selfless service to all, induce nation-wide loyalty, respect and legitimacy.

I am cocksure we will effortlessly find such ebullient personality among APC leadership if we are mutually detached from wanton religious, ethnic bigotries and undue sentiments.

More essentially and it is very pertinent to urge APC leadership and numerous delegates in this time of decision making to be guided by the higher virtue of courage, dedication, self-sacrifice and patriotism to free themselves from the shackles of ephemeral power of tribal loyalty and greed. This will help to fulfill and consolidate course  of stable, peaceful and uninterrupted progressive administration in the country.

APC must take extra caution, have sober reflection on judicious horse trading, hard bargaining that transpired amongst the welter of political parties viz, Action Congress of Nigeria, CPC, ANPP and factional APGA.

The aftermath was the gallant defeat of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 Presidential election which had earlier on vaunted to rule for another 60 years.

By the same token APC must not be carried  away by the trappings of self-seeking materialism and ephemeral paraphernalia of office.

At this critical stage of transition when political power shall certainly change and revolve from the North and move to the southern part of the country in the spirit of equity, justice and fair-play to guarantee peaceful co-existence in the country.

We must warn that the ruling party should not by any default allow a tiny, corrupt and faceless cabal within and perhaps outside the presidency to dictate the political pace, deceive, hoodwink and infiltrate the rank and file of APC and in the ultimate spell disaster and doom for the entire country.

We must say without mincing words that the nefarious activities of the wicked, lazy, insolent cabal within the corridor of power are palpably inimical to the progress and unity of Nigeria as a secular state. It constitute a drag unto the free flow of administration of President Buhari and  ipsofacto impede effective implementation of populist programmes to take firm root across the country.

Granted that no written agreement trailed the victory of APC in 2015 general elections which ordinarily  facilitated the APC leader, Muhammadu Buhari to realize his life long ambition as elected president of Nigeria having failed three times under the platform of weak and not well organized political parties that were unable to fly.

Common sense dictates that we should abide with spirit of live and let live. And no one is a fool in the present circumstance, we should uphold egalitarianism as a watchword to equality of all men no one shall suffer oppression, deprivation and marginalization no  matter how marginal or inifinitesional. It is to every man according to his need.

All stratagems to promote and strengthen Hausa/Fulani oligarchy and its concomitant misrule across the country, and to subjugate Yoruba race in particular shall be resisted through constitutional and  diplomatic means. We will not fire a shot until the whole country roars in tumultuous commotion and inevitably shakes to its very foundations if by any act of omission or commission the social contract either written or otherwise but steeped in popular democracy is violently  jettisoned with dire and devastating consequences to those traitors of a new Nigeria.

At this juncture, we must thank God for the life of Mr President for his patriotism, favourable conduct  and activities as a “born again” democrat to grow the country into a stable, prosperous and full blown largest democracy in black Africa, in spite of the challenges which are no respecter of any clime.

President Buhari as a former gallant soldier should be courageous enough as an agent of true change progressivism to caution his Fulani Kinsmen within and outside the shores of Nigeria spread across the West Africa sub region. Some of them are no doubt itinerant Fulani herdsmen who traditionally and peacefully ply their trade across west Africa sub region.

Now, there is infiltration of religious fundamentalism in the country especially in the North which lately assumed violence and incendiary behavior under the guise of perennial /herdsmen farmers clashes across the country.

President Buhari must move swiftly more than hitherto to end the insurgency trying to swallow the country in a fell swoop. The Fulani marauders who operate with impunity hell bent and desperate to destroy the until and territorial integrity of Nigeria must be  fished out and dealt with accordingly.

As Leader of APC, President Buhari should not be stampeded into action not favourably disposed to a natural successor that will continue in the progressive administration and improve immeasurably on his performance to usher in a more sustainable and better economy.

By so doing, Nigerians will have a better understanding and right perspective of the man, President Mohammadu Buhari. His good name will be in hall of fame, immortalized positively in the hearts of the people for bridging this administration to a logical accomplishment.

Meanwhile, it must be reiterated that the delegates in the convention ground should not be oblivious of their onerous national assignment to either make or mar Nigeria come post Buhari era. This country must be  well grounded in progressive and social welfarist policies and programmes to lift the economy from socio-economic and political morass once again.

It stands to reason therefore that the “wise” delegates should unanimously opt for the candidacy of astute highly detribalized public figure and faithful party man versed in public finance accounting and  management to husband the resources of the nation for the optimum.

Like the indomitable Awo and the business mogul, MKO Abiola, the  next president must be gifted with sagacity and uncanny attribute put in place highly committed and dedicated team to revolutionize the  curse of governance, turn around the economy in all facetrs of development for effective and diligent service delivery.

To cap it all, any presidential aspirant in APC must not only have unique progressive credentials but must have  creditably and judiciously utilized the attributes to benefit his constituents in previous assignment as state governor.

The ordinary Nigerians who are the largest electorate deserve no less from the next president.

While exercising their privileged right of decision making  process, delegates must take cognizance that we are in a global village. It is implied  and more expedient  the incoming president must have good  rapport and networking among other presidents or heads of state governments in the neighbouring West African and other advanced economies favourably disposed to the rapid industrialization of Nigeria’s economy.

I wish the delegates rancor free and fruitful deliberations.