The APGA peace-reconciliation committee does not look like a peace committee. It looks like a campaign committee ―Ebuka Onyekwelu
A look at the newly constituted committee to reconcile differences in APGA and square the warring factions reveal very clearly that it is an afterthought, perhaps, a mere committee set up solely for the purpose of just having it on record. So many things are not right with the committee, ranging from the timing to membership of the committee. of the route taken by APGA.
In fairness to all, what is today recognized as a major crisis threatening APGA did not happen by surprise. It is not some sudden, unexpected, unplanned event; neither did it happen as a result of going the path of untested or unknown consequences. Every observer, stakeholder, political player, party member, and interest group within APGA is well informed about the consequences
Now, we must make the point that in itself, there is absolutely nothing wrong in the party leadership wanting an aspirant, and in this instance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to emerge party flag bearer of APGA for the November governorship election. This is what I mean; by natural design, human beings do not enjoy the same level of relevance or importance or preference in any given circumstance. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo in this particular case stands distinguished and preferred. Definitely, this is a fact that all aspirants already know. But because they too, like Prof. Soludo, or Governor Obiano or Chief Victor Oye or any and all other party leaders hold stakes in the party, the best was to reach a political decision, not necessarily because they can stop the party leadership from moving in their preferred direction, but to forestall the divisive wrangling that has now become widespread in APGA.
The APGA peace committee should have been set up before the disqualification of some aspirants.
As a matter of political tact, the APGA peace committee should have been set up before the disqualification of some aspirants. Alternatively, it would have been set up before the primary election in which Prof. Chukwuma Soludo emerged as the candidate. These were clear political windows that do not put the intent of the party leadership to question but were not utilized. One assumption is that plausible reconciliation talks and agreements could have been reached with aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders to forestall potential damage that jeopardizes group interest. What I am saying is that as of now, aggrieved party members, sponsors of the divisions, and all the political fireworks in APGA are not invisible, even as the crisis has become more complicated essentially because of how the party managed the diverse interests of its members.
The aspirations of all APGA contestants, including those disqualified from participating in the primary election are valid. People have the right to dream big and aspire to be governor without recourse to how anyone feels about their aspirations. Nobody’s aspiration should be demonized or trivialized. After all, we all are products of our aspirations in career and life. So there is nothing wrong with people’s legitimate aspirations, no matter how tall anyone may conceive of them. The error, however, was when the party posed as if the aspirations of some people in wanting to be governor were illegal and criminal, and then used force, instead of grace as an option in dealing with the challenge it posed to the interest of the party leadership. Now the problem is that after the party leadership has had their way and proven that they are in charge, the party is now divided more than ever before and that is not without penalty. So maybe while the party was busy with who must fly the flag, not much thought was given to how the party will win the general election.
If there is any line of business where no one should ever be dismissed because he can be dismissed, then, it is politics. My point exactly is that APGA failed to utilize lessons learned at various levels from impunity and imposition. The party also failed to make good use of the two windows it had to settle the cracks on the party’s walls long before now, only to turn around and want to do what it should have done ever before the primary election. A more critical probe simply suggests that many things do not just seem to add up. Why would APGA suddenly opt for a peace committee at this level where the warring factions have fully drawn their swords waiting for the kill?
In any case, an APGA peace/reconciliation committee chaired by Sen. Victor Umeh does not look like a peace committee. It looks like a campaign committee, which I suspect Sen. Umeh has been consigned to. Recall that Chief Umeh had already taken sides at the peak of the various demands for a free and credible primary election in APGA. But not only that, Chief Umeh pointedly declared that his support for Prof. Soludo was a result of Governor Obinao’s position or if you like, instruction. That is still fine. Except that given Umeh’s statesman position in APGA, many were of the opinion that Umeh would have managed his support for Prof. Soludo better than he did. As we can now see, if he kept that support close to his chest, Sen. Umeh would have been much more important to the unification efforts in APGA. However, except for his political relevance to electioneering the campaign, Umeh’s chair of the committee can only serve to make the aggrieved persons in the party mention their price. Admittedly, those aggrieved may be willing to discuss clear terms with Umeh because they know he speaks the Nigerian political language. Beyond this, there is nothing more, only that the committee will sit and share resources allocated to them and then go home. Then, when we look at the membership of the committee, some members of the twelve-man committee are aggrieved themselves. Also, a handful of members of the committee cannot influence anyone. Peace and reconciliation in politics, just like in any other thing must be approached from a position of influence on the aggrieved. You cannot change the mind of someone that you cannot influence.
Peace and reconciliation in politics must be approached from a position of influence on the aggrieved.
If indeed the party intends that the peace and reconciliation committee should do well to unify APGA, then, it has missed it again. Frankly, not only that the intention has been overtaken by time and events, but it is roundly doubtful if most of the committee’s members are the right kind of people, with the right measure of influence and reach, to do that job. Though in fairness, the committee can pass as an adhoc or part-time campaign committee, pending when the campaign committee is fully constituted.
As for peace in APGA, final court decisions will shape a whole lot even as it is doubtful that court decisions will restore peace. A lot of people are aggrieved and for good reasons. But there are those that are aggrieved and still willing to work for the party. For them, final court decisions may make the difference. But there are those that are not aggrieved, the party must maximally utilize them. As for peace-building efforts and attempts to forestall internal sabotage in APGA during the general election, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has so much to do to unify the party. This is the first test of his political leadership skills. As it is now, many people would listen and have a change of mind if they are reached by Prof. Soludo, rather than by any member of the committee. Certainly, Soludo cannot reach everybody, but he can reach some critical segments and power points across the twenty-one local government areas. He can reach people who are important to the cause despite their opposition to his candidacy and genuinely ask for their support. Most times, people just want to be recognized. That alone is what they need. Many are against Prof. Soludo’s candidacy because they fear they have no stake in it. A politics that wins requires inspiring hope and personal stake in people who then work hard to ensure that the election is won because they have a personal stake in the victory.
♦ Ebuka Onyekwelu, strategic governance exponent, is a columnist with the WAP
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