by Elijah Olupona

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has survived in the Nigerian political space not as the most performing political party but as the single political entity that has enjoyed the presidential seat since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The political atmosphere is gathering momentum and assuming an air of palpable tension as political gladiators in the country whip up sentiments for the coming elections- one might have suddenly thought the year 2015 is even here when it is still two years away. Politicians are already printing campaign posters, even when most of them denied it and to an extent some have promised to punish those behind the credulous act; but we still await them to make do their threat. Some others mending broken walls and placating their avowed upset political godfathers and already all manners of politically motivated gifts are exchanging hands secretly.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has survived in the Nigerian political space not as the most performing political party but as the single political entity that has enjoyed the presidential seat since the return to democratic rule in 1999. Lately the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), deregistered 28 political parties; a move which many of the persona in the corridors of politics as touted to further strengthen the ruling party. While this might not have been suspected to fuel the current political mergers, it might supposedly count as one of the many factors. To present a formidable front in 2015 and put an end to the futile chase for political power against the PDP, four political parties comprising the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerians People Party (ANPP) and the yet to be fully confirmed All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) have transformed into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Underground a new politically motivated group has also emerged although it has been reported as a non-partisan group. A crop of politician and prominent elites have been meeting under the guise of instituting good governance and ensuring the unity of the country.

In all of these political stratagems, the larger segment of the country that suffers the most is the ‘masses.’ The masses and not our natural resources have become the national cake since 1999. The political coy is the promise of good governance, rule of law and democratic dividend which is assuming an eternal height. The politicians have continued to use these slogans as a ruse to divide and rule the unsuspecting larger audience of the population. They are the tools employed by politicians to score cheap political points during elections and whatever happens thereafter is history. Many of the spokesmen of the APC have described it as the ‘messiah’ of the Nigerian democracy but one never cease to wonder how the party philosophy will fulfill the sacrosanct interests of all Nigerians. Nigerians can only hope this is not yet another move by the privileged few who have gained power, popularity and position through the ballot or gun butt to re-establish themselves.

Whoever said the APC differs in any way from   the PDP or any other party that emerges afterwards? Same manifestoes, same viewpoints, same recycled personalities with same corrupt political past! One can only wonder what is fresh in the present old crop of politicians. The qualities of the persons that parade themselves as the representatives and leaders of these political groups are no doubt questionable. Many of them have lingering court cases based on their shady, crooked and dishonest past in office. How does their selfish interest at large become a solid representation of our collective interest when they have used the ballot to amass what could best be described as offensive wealth and popularity? In their various domains they have become kingmakers and economic warmongers. While the greater lots of the people suffer, they parade themselves in affluence and aristocracy.

Nigeria remains one out of the many few countries richly blessed in human and mineral resources yet her people languish in vain and poverty. In the 21^st century, pipe borne water, good roads, electricity are still our major campaign entreaties. The politicians have reduced the average Nigerian to his bellies. During elections, cups of rice and bread are the victuals to buy the peoples’ vote and conscience. This is how pathetic the lots of the people have fared under present and past governments.

In other civilized climes, the PDP would not even campaign in the next election because it knows nobody will vote its candidates following the massive failures the party has recorded in recent years. Alas! Not in Nigeria; welcome to the country where some organized crowd carries placard in support of a government that cannot provide efficient and effective electricity for 13years after so much investments and still want to continues in power!  Our nation is already over-laden with distorted promises from dishonest politicians. While it cannot totally be said that all hopes are lost, no political coalition party qualifies to pride itself as the ‘peoples’ saviour’ until it has earned the right through its fulfilled promises.

Our collective optimism that Nigeria can still be great should not be used as political bait by some few who hope to continuously profit from it. Even if we largely find it difficult as a people that the latest merger is in our interest, I am confident that sometimes, while in pursuit of a selfish interest the collective interest is veritably served. As a people we cannot continue to serve the bias nature of certain few whose bellies have become their god! Even as we wait, 2015 presents us another right to save the soul of our dear nation unless we have not learnt from the ruins of the last 13years.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.