Daily Trust

Another Party Merger Looms Before 2023

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The reality in Nigeria today is that we do not have a normal party system. Things are becoming dissimilar and our politician­s keep changing their attitudes and behaviour. What we keep seeing today are notorious and tarnished political parties.

Our political parties and those who claimed to have been leading us have failed woefully to adhere to unwavering principles and surrender to the whimsical needs of tainted situations.

Our political parties are not bothered by the upsurge or barrage of criticisms by the masses. The belief is that a leopard will never change its spots.

The defections of the three giant politician­s —Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Senator Bukola Saraki before the 2019 general elections as well as the recent defection of Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, from APC to PDP as well as his counterpar­t in Ebonyi State, David Umahi, from PDP to APC are situations of interest to the history of Nigerian politics.

Since the return of democracy from 1999 to date, the real politics would be played in 2023 elections. The last time a similar true democracy was played was during the Third Republic that was jettisoned, dumped and eventually killed in 2007. So also, a similar true politics was played in 2015.

One-party system or rule in politics is a great danger to democracy. It portends hiccups pitfalls - dangers and problems. This is why after the 16 years of PDP dominance or rule in Nigerian politics, the formation of another big opposition party was welcomed in 2013. This is healthy for a democracy to have strong opposition. And that was what disturbed the PDP then.

The two parties must understand that glory lies not in falling but in rising every time we fall. And time is always ripe to do right.

They have since formed committees that will reconcile their members and lead them to victory in 2023.

At the moment, understand­ing the political terrain would be a great advantage to both sides.

Muazu Muazu (muazumj@gmail.com)

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