Jikan waziri
The Nigerian political landscape is once again marred by the crass display of patronage politics, as the sitting president and state governors prioritize enticing opposition members to defect to the ruling APC over rewarding the loyalty of long-standing party members.
It's a slap in the face to those who have tirelessly worked for the party, often at great personal cost, only to be overlooked and undervalued. Many party faithful who contested elections under the party's platform and lost are still holding on to hope for political appointments or planning to recontest in 2027. Yet, their dedication and perseverance seem to count for little as the president and governors lavish attention on opposition defectors, promising them guaranteed wins in future elections.
This brazen display of patronage politics raises fundamental questions about the nature of democracy in Nigeria. Are politicians more interested in accumulating power and wealth than in serving the people? Are parties merely vehicles for personal aggrandizement, rather than platforms for advancing the public good?
The president's actions suggest a disturbing sense of entitlement, as if the party is a family-owned business to be leveraged for personal gain. Long-standing party members who've been waiting patiently for their turn are left wondering if their loyalty is a liability. Are they expected to give up and abandon the party, or worse still, resort to desperate measures?
The consequences of this patronage politics are profound and far-reaching. It weakens the foundation of democracy, destroys trust in institutions, and fuels widespread disillusionment among citizens. It also fosters a culture of opportunism, where politicians put personal interests above the needs of the people.
Nigerians deserve a better deal. We deserve a politics that values hard work, dedication, and loyalty. We deserve leaders who put the people's welfare above their own ambitions. It's time to take a step back and re-examine our democratic system – and ask ourselves: what kind of democracy are we really practicing in Nigeria?
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Opinion