“A spectre is haunting Nigeria- the specter of one-party government.”

By Bisi Lawrence
You would of course have recognized that as a loose paraphrase of the opening sentence of “The Communist Manifesto”, the classic declaration of the aims and objectives of a political movement which has become a model and a source of inspiration for all socialist efforts down the years. As you also probably know, it was published by Karl Marx, with the collaboration of Fredrick Engels in 1848 on behalf of the Communist League which was then a secret organization of Russian emigres in Europe.

It would be droll to embark on a discourse here about that enchanting document, enticing as that prospect is, but two aspects present themselves attractively to one’s attention at this time.

The first of the four sections into which the Manifesto is divided proposes that the course of history has always been directed by the struggle between the wealthy ruling class (that is the bourgeoisie) and the down-trodden proletariat (the poor workers.) He identifies the Communist principles with the aspirations of the latter, and predicts that they would emerge victorious in the struggle.

The political philosophy of the founder of the Action Group party, which is the forebear of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was unabashedly cut in a socialist mould. In tune with that, all the political parties he led, and their offshoots consistently advocated the cause of the poor, the “mekunu”, at least, as a matter of form. It seems appropriate therefore, that the launching of the ACN campaign for the forthcoming elections should be a colloquium focused on the manifesto of the party.

Years ago, in the era when political positions of parties were expressed more on an intellectual plane than at an emotional level, it was usual for manifestos of all the parties to precede their campaigns during the time of elections. But that practice was allowed, or forced, to recede into near oblivion by the prolonged military interruption in our democracy.

In such circumstances, the formulation and collation of well-considered notions of political actions are not easy to contain in the desire for freedom from the dictatorship that only promulgates decrees. Thus the thought processes that lead to the refinement of progressive and different ideas are curtailed. By the end of the era of military rule in Nigeria, we had almost become accustomed to one party- the military party. We had one manifesto – the series of military decrees including the very first one that abrogated the existence of political parties and, by the same token, of manifestos.

That accounts for the dearth, not only of these pronouncements, but also for the apparent absence of our desire for them. They were no longer in supply and there was little demand for them, because we had simply got out of the habit.

But manifestos have an important role to play in the drama of electioneering. They are produced to convince the populace about the genuineness and value of the principles, and objectives they canvass. Each is therefore carefully presented in a package that dazzles with choice phrases, is weighty with serious intentions and perfumed with cloying sincerity. They are not designed to be true, but believable.

But they nevertheless provide a handle by which you can pull the author’s memory back to the promises they contain. And remember – the period of campaign for votes, is the season of promises. Statements that are poured out from the podium are usually dispersed in the passing breeze. But a manifesto is a solid, written compilation of plans and intentions. It is palpable. It stays, and it could even be kept for reference.

What is more, it does not lend itself to idle pontifications on trivialities. The declaration of a candidate that he or she would be satisfied with only one term of office, for instance, is not really an issue and would find no space in a manifesto, though it may be floated down pleasantly from an election rostrum. We heard that in Lagos State four years ago. Many people did not believe it then, and would now feel they had been fooled if they did.

We have also heard about the importance of power supply and the determination of the present government to rectify the woeful situation which, sad to observe, must now be adjudged to be chronic. But everything must wait until the government is elected. Why? What has stopped them from doing that these many months past? Other promises abound, like that of the lady who has sworn not to collect even a kobo as her salary should she be elected into office. That, of course, is an unadulterated “political statement”. And, of course, everyone is free to say anything short of perjury.

But why is there so much flippancy around, particularly at the presidential level? The governorship and parliamentary confrontations, in many cases, have the semblance of genuine conflicts, unlike the carnival displays that typify the campaigns for the presidency, led by Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Mainasara Jonathan, the president himself. The petnames and nick-names may not be unwelcome, but the setting could be more appropriate. There is a touch of levity in the entire process that could easily backfire.

There has been a suggestion that when next he enters the land of those “rascals”, he may be welcomed with the beautiful cognomen of “Omoshalewa”. That is usually conferred on a child who is credited with having selected the right family for its birth. Some people, however, are said to be waiting to change it to “OmoSHilewa” , which means something else.

Call him whatever you may, the presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party seems to have this one wrapped up. By the same token, the governorship positions as well as most of the parliamentary seats are leaning towards a domino summary. No one had found it necessary to be focused on any particular issue, or set of issues, until the ACN brought up its manifesto through the colloquium.

Every aspiring politician had it pat and rattled it off to the masses- “there will be constant power supply; a vast improvement on the Ore – Benin City road; an overflow of potable water supply; free education to the tertiary level; standard health care; eradication of unemployment; assured security …“ A manifesto says all that too, and more besides. It speaks about the thought behind the action, the guiding principles, particularly with regard to priorities, the manner of the implementation of the proposals, and so on. Maybe the ACN manifesto did not cover all of those grounds, but it has set off a necessary tre
nd which, one hopes, will now be the order of the day.

With the modest level of intelligence among the masses, the alternative would be a bandwagon effect created by the impact of the carnival masquerades we are now witnessing, resulting in a dangerous swing to the most colorful rather than the most convincing, and the most sensational rather than the most sensible. That is the pathway to a one-party government.

*** Valentine’s Day: So much love

And so, I asked my granddaughter, Aramide, over the phone last week,”Wilt thou be my Valentine?” Her peals of laughter were almost deafening. And that, precisely, is what all that noise about Valentine’s Day deserved – just a loud guffaw!

It is pathetic to see the aplomb with which so many people who are in a woeful state of disconnect with their own culture, cling to foreign values which are really of no relevance to them personally. They hold parties and all sorts of functions to celebrate a season of love, or so they call it, that has no basis in even a shred of morality. That is an insufferable insult to the highest, purest human value- love. Of course, when people mention that word, these days, they are referring to no more than the passionate physical contact that is even replicated wantonly by dogs in the street. And that is really what most people mean by all that noise, although there are even people who can hardly care less about any movement as long as it is packaged in foreign robes and delivered as the “in-thing” to do.

But there are other sensible men and women who can distil the will from any opportunity to show genuine love for less privileged people.

They employ any occasion to bring the plight of the disadvantaged ones to the notice of those who can help, and should help those in need. The requirement may not be financial, but only in terms of encouragement or emotional support, rendered free. That is love.

Although the focus was mostly on the parties and noise-making on Monday, there were select groups who visited Motherless Babies Homes, Old Peoples’ Homes and other places of charity, to help relieve the need of others. That is more like love.

One such group was organized and led by the amiable wife of the Apapa-Iganmu Local Government Development Area, Mrs. Biola Adedayo. And, believe it for it is true, it was for the benefit of widows .. ,yes, widows, and she has been doing it for three years. So much love …

Time out.