PDP PARTY LEADERSHIP AND THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA

Political Parties play critical roles in mobilising, educating and empowering the citizens. As the platform through which individuals get elected or recruited into public offices, they influence the direction of public policies at all levels of government and immensely contribute to the reshaping of society. This is more so when it is realised that elected officials are expected to not only identify with the vision of their parties but be guided by such in the formulation and implementation of state policies.

Consequently, in most democratic societies, there is a nexus between the quality of political party leadership and the quality of government leadership. There is also a correlation between the character of the individuals in party leadership and the quality of leadership in the country. Where the party's leadership is focussed and driven by the larger national interests, there is a tendency for this to reflect on the quality of leadership produced in the country. On the other hand, where the character of the party's leadership is suspect, the effective supply of positive-minded leaders in the country is undermined.

The history of party politics in Nigeria has been replete with all manners of suspect leadership, mostly hijacked by anti-democratic and anti-transformational forces. Bereft of sound democratic values, Nigerian party leaders often held on to the maxim that “the end justifies the means” and were therefore too willing to resort to jungle tactics in achieving their objectives. Thus, these leaders were more willing to emphasise on brawn rather than brain and would rather present “muscle” rather than “brain” politicians to the electorates. The more eager you are to break a bone, the more acceptable you become to these short-sighted party leaders. By mortgaging the channels for the recruitment of the country's leadership, the country became a victim of leaders produced through a criminally corrupted process. The products (elected officials) of the flawed system are more likely to disregard the citizens and focus on self appropriation of our collective resources since “in Nigeria, the highest bidders buy the party and the ballot!

This is a key reason why well meaning and decent citizens shy away from party and electoral politics in Nigeria. If you cannot play the game as dictated by these “touts in party offices”, you can hardly go through Nigeria's politics unscathed. This highjack of the party and electoral system coupled with the effective alienation of many decent folks from politics sustain the culture of impudence and corruption in Nigeria.

This is why the forthcoming national convention for the election of People Democratic Party (PDP) national party officers should be taken seriously by all. As the ruling and dominant political party in Nigeria, the People Democratic Party has important roles to play in stabilising the country and supporting the government's transformation agenda. The election of candidates with strong democratic credentials will help strengthen the democratic values of the party and water the seeds of our young democracy. Of particular significance is the office of the National Chairman of the party (PDP).

The challenges of insecurity and pre-bendalist inclinations call for the election of a mature and balanced PDP National party leadership. At the last count, there are over 15 contestants to the office of National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party. It is important that the party delegates elect a Chairman who is not swayed by parochial values, who is principled and who will put the country first in all his activities. The party chairman must be a uniter not a divider, he must be versatile on the virtues of modern societies and he must be willing to stand up for the truth irrespective of who is involved. He must have a measurable degree of success in his private life and must be intellectually sound, able to separate the facts from the fictions. Dr Bamanga Tukur, Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and former Governor of Gongola State towers heads and shoulders above all the candidates presenting themselves for the position of PDP chairmanship. His experience as an administrator, communicator, negotiator and bridge builder will surely add value in supporting President Jonathan's transformation agenda. Dr Tukur should initiate and drive the onerous task of reformation in PDP and rid the party of the touts that have held it hostage over the years. The earnest task of transformation in Nigeria is better started from the top of PDP party leadership.

Chukwudi Owo is a leading Public Policy and Management Consultant and the President/C.E.O. of Resourcefield Inc.