Nigerian Democracy Is For The Rich -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Recently, political parties in the country, in preparation for the 2023 general elections pegged the price of interest and nomination forms beyond the reach of ordinary and competent Nigerians who wish to contest the forthcoming elections. The outrageous cost of forms have become the topic of discussion in a country where high rate of income inequality takes a toll. It has also come at a time when president Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 signed the “no too young to run bill” into laws which would pave the way for active participation of Nigerians youths into the country’s politics. Recalls, the ruling party’s price tag of presidential candidate goes for 100 millions while the lowest which is the state house of assembly costs 2milions. The same with PDP which pegged it’s price for presidential form to 50millions and state house of assembly 750,000 respectively. What many Nigerians failed to understand is, what pushes these political parties to increase the cost of forms at this prevailing period of worsening economy, hunger and squalor? In 2015, president Muhammadu Buhari complained that he did not have enough money to buy his nomination form which cost 27.5millions. The president was able to purchase the form through crowd funding and other donations.

If Buhari as former military head of state in 2015 could not be able to buy his party’s form, one is confused on how a lowly earned retired public servant who have the passion to join politics and serve could do. For instance, even the vice president, Yemi Osibanjo, who shows interest and wants to contest will have to cough his salary for nearly 7 years. What about our senators and ministers who want to take a shot? Sadly, president Buhari is a direct beneficiary of his party’s affordable form. One is surprised, why under his watch, APC wants to shun other Nigerians from exercising their constitutional responsibility on the basis of being poor. Under APC, politics has become the exclusive preserve of the high, mighty and wealthy members of society and not for the poor. Election does not stop at the purchase of forms, aspirants have to contend with other expenses such as party’s primaries which usually go to the high bidders. With the monitization of politics in the country, there is tendency corruption will increase astronomically. The politicians, if elected would have to first recover their money, before attending to other campaign promises.

While it may be truth that the increase in price of nomination form is to ensure political parties are not being funded from public funds as stated by the publicity secretary of APC, the facts remain, the new exorbitant price regime will disqualify many poor aspirants and hand over our democracy to the rich people. Besides, the monitization of our democracy by APC which came to power under the pretext of change mantra is unfortunate. The party which parades itself as pro-poor should have set a good standard for other political parties to follow. President Muhammadu Buhari rode to power under three keys campaign promises viz: Fighting corruption, fixing the economy and tackling insecurity. Corruption which remains the bane of the country growth and development can be tackled with strong institutions and competent leadership. We have Nigerians of timber and calibre who are ready to join partisan politics to change the country for good. However, the new development in our political parties will become a cog in the wheel of their ambition. It will scare, disenfranchise and push them back from political scene. Yes, how many Nigerians can afford 100millions just to purchase interest and nomination forms?

The late American president, Abraham Lincoln, defines democracy as the government of the people by the people and for the people. Democracy is a not government of the few. The system involves wide participation of the masses in decision making process. In Nigeria, democracy means different things to the poor segment of the population. The masses are relegated and turned to mere voters during elections. After new leadership emerges, the supposedly dividends of democracy become elusive. No wonder, these failed politicians with their money bag politics cleverly manipulate the voters. They bribe their way to victory. What are the ways out for this brazen attack of our fledging democracy? Some political parties have fixed the price of their form at cheaper rate. I have learnt that, People Redemption party (PRP) presidential form is sold at 1million,while it’s gubernatorial cost 500,000. The national working committee (NWC) of the African Action Congress (AAC) says its expression of interest and nomination forms for all elective position are free. The party said the decision was taken after a meeting of its NWC on April,24.

The party said, the decision to declare the form free is to ensure that all Nigerians, irrespective of financial status can seek elective position on the AAC platform. This is a good decision. Nigerians should quickly evaluate these parties ideologies and give them their mandate in 2023 . After all, in their past and current records, both the ruling party and opposition have failed to transform the country politically, socially and economically. Nigerians need to identify with political parties which will not sell our democracy to the few.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State. 08169056963