‘Why Tinubu alone can’t unite APC’
Alhaji Lawal Adamu Usman is the National Chairman, Youth Support for Buhari; Coordinator of Peace Foundation of Nigeria and a senatorial aspirant from Kaduna Central. He speaks on the activities of his party the APC, the Tinubu Committee, and the recent local government elections in Kaduna State, among others. Excerpts:
Daily Trust: Most political parties are witnessing crises, heating up the polity. How do you see the scenario?
Lawal Adamu Usman: We are in a critical era of politics and challenges. Challenges in terms of fulfilling promises made by elected leaders. It is a period of regrets by those who failed to perform according to expectations. It is also a period of settling scores, and establishment of mutual understanding. In a whole, it is a period of choosing between options. That’s probably why there is heat across the polity.
The present situation in Nigeria is not different from what we experienced in the past. Nigerians voted this administration to power with hope that it would save them from clutches of hardship, from the [Goodluck] Jonathan administration. Whether it has delivered or not, is a topic for debate.
This government was formed after a merger of political parties with different interest groups and principles just to fight a common enemy. After all that, some feel that they have been sidelined, and others feel they were not treated well. Certainly, there will be an internal conflict. This may have given rise as to why people are trying to challenge the party or the system.
Daily Trust: Your party is facing challenges from power tussles, accusations of mismanagement and poor administration, and even breaking down into factions, especially at the state levels. What do all these indicate?
Usman: Crisis is normal in politics, because of the competing interests, especially in a party such as the APC. But honestly, the ongoing crises are unnecessary and unwarranted at this time when the party is supposed to consolidate, and face the challenges ahead. It is obvious that there are lapses at the national level, but the worst of it is the way some APC governors appear to have pocketed the party and introduced dictatorship.
Meanwhile, the governors did not do much in their states, and that is we have crises in all most all APC states in the North. As I keep saying, the party may not survive, as injustice has taken over in the conduct of the party’s affairs. We are advocates of justice, not custodians of it, and so we must put things in their right places, otherwise the party would continue to be in disarray.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu alone cannot unite the APC; There must be willingness and interest from state governors and members of the National Assembly. Internal democracy must be restored to accord every member his or her right to actively participate and provide any needed input in running the affairs of the party. It is unfortunate that today a governor or chairman of the party can decide who to be the candidate of any position, even without going to primary elections. This lack of internal democracy is the major cause of the present APC crisis, which must be solved, or the party will disintegrate.
DT: Following issues within the APC in Kaduna State, you and some other stakeholders are reportedly planning to dump the party. How true is this?
Usman: Recently, before the ward congress, I heard over the radio in Kaduna that I, alongside some members, were suspended by Kaduna North APC. I laughed because I reliably gathered that the announcement was influenced by one unpopular senatorial aspirant who sees me as a threat. It’s a big joke to frustrate me out of politics, not just out of the party. I have led a youth group that helped to bring Muhammadu Buhari to power in 2015. I have never been into any political party apart from opposition; I joined the CPC in 2011 and APC in 2015 and contributed immensely. I believe opportunists are the ones spreading this rumour.
But of course, there are options available before us. I am still a strong member of the APC, and
nobody can send me out. I have millions of supporters, so anybody who feels threatened should go and look for supporters, and not resort to blackmail. I cannot succumb to any threat when it comes to politics. For others, I don’t know. But let me warn that if there are no positive changes in the APC, I mean the ongoing injustice, certainly the party would lose strong members at many levels.
DT: The outcome of the justconcluded local government elections in Kaduna state shows that there is still a divide in the state...
Usman: The major lesson to learn is the way and manner the election was conducted. First , we thank Almighty Allah that the elections were held peacefully, unlike other states where there are reports of killings and violence. I think all stakeholders, including security agents, have done well in this direction. However, in Kaduna State, with diverse cultural, religious and ethnic politics, it is not easy to organize free and fair elections. There were lapses in the conduct of the elections at the onset. This created skepticism and uncertainty about the government’s determination to hold free and fair elections following several postponements.
DT: What can you say are the implications of the result of the local government election for the APC in the state? Usman: Honestly, any member of the APC who observed elections and the results released knows that the APC is facing serious challenges which must be addressed. Otherwise, the party should forget 2019. Before the elections, there were petitions and protests by some APC members who alleged substitution and imposition of candidates. This shows that lack of unity in the APC could lead to loss in the elections.
The PDP performed above expectation in most local government areas, as it won councillorship seats. There was also apathy on part of the electorate. Personal observations and media reports confirmed a low turnout of people. This is another factor
that could be
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu alone cannot unite the APC; There must be willingness and interest from state governors and members of the National Assembly. Internal democracy must be restored to accord every member his or her right to actively participate
Personal observations and media reports confirmed a low turnout of people. This is another factor that could be chalked up to the people’s lost hope in the electoral process
chalked up to the people’s lost hope in the electoral process. In a nutshell, we have a lot to learn from the results of the local government elections in Kaduna State, ahead of 2019 elections. DT: Regarding your senatorial ambition, what’s your next move? Usman: Let me very frank: Governor El-Rufai has already done injustice to people like me, who respect him highly. Why should the governor, before the primaries were held, take Uba Sani round the four local government areas and introduce him as the APC senatorial aspirant? While you have many aspirants in same party? This is injustice. All the same, the people will decide who they want to lead them. So, my next move will be decided by God, and time.