Re: Ideology is the First Step to Fixing Nigeria.
I recently read Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin’s piece titled”March to Freedom1- Idelogy is the first step to fixing Nigeria on his twitter timeline.
In as much as i agree with the general premise of the article, i would want to add by saying the issue of ideology in Nigeria politics is like the chicken and the egg, which came first.
As adequately defined by the Merrian-Webster dictionary(same quoted by Dr. Gbadegesin), ideology is a systematic body of concept especially about human life or culture; a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group or culture; the integrated assertion, theories and aims that constitute a socio-political programme.
I want to align more with the third definition of ideology as defined above as it fits better with the context of the discussion.
At this time of our national development(both politically and economoically), there are a lot of gaps that are yet to be filled, which in other clime are taken as given, they are the rule rather than the exception. These amongst others are Power, health, Education, fixed infrastructure, security. Which brings me to what Dr. Gbadegesin descried as ‘politics of the belly”(POTB). This type of politics prevail, either by design or default, people have been so improvished that to think critical, can be argue to be diffcult, on an empty stomach.
However, with the ideologically position, it could be argued that the two main political parties do have a semblance of political affiliation. I was listening to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode recently on a TV interview in which this same question of ideology was thrown to him. In his response he describe the PDP as a bit to the right, market -driven, socially conservative, whlist the APC is a bit to the left, welfare-driven , liberal and a little alignment with socialist state.
Yes we may argue that people who cross from one party to the other are not ideologically driven, but are in it for peronal or penury gains, i do agree, this are some of the anomalies we need to addresse in our poltical system going forward.
Leadership/Ideology
I would say the more critical need today is leadership. It is nice that Dr. Gbadegesin referred to people like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he continues to be seen today as a reference point for his achievement. Yes he had an ideological blueprint, but he was a credible leader, with qualities such as integrity, honesty, effective communication., which unfortunately is lacking in most of our leaders, today.
The Nigeria of today has been so battered that, we need to start from the very basic things, whichever political system we choose. The basic infrastruture is what is lacking and why the talk of ideology though very important, may have to take second stage, till the very basic of infrastructure and services are in place.
Another Aspect that has to be addressed would be that of followership, we still do not have a people who are politically aware of their votes. By people i am not referring to the educated or middle class, rather those below that line, many of whom , to survive from day to day is a constant battle. It is to these people that the belly and the instinct of immediate survival kicks in. Unfortunately the political class likes it this way, the more improvised people are, the more ready they would be ready to accept the rice, bread or akara at election time.
This is where Civil Societies and the Independent Electoral commission should go into mass enlightenment campaign to educate people of the value of their votes. That votes can give their children better education, better health facilities, good roads and other services.
Once this groundwork is laid with basic infrastructure, we can along the line begin to fathom what is the best political ideology we want to adopt. As the world is evolving it would be pertinent to note that the two main political party ideology might not be a perfect fit for us. We can develop ours, based on our culture, immediate environment, how we want to relate with the larger world, also looking at what obtains now and what we can glean from it.
In conclusion i am not saying we should ignore ideology in our politics completely or that it should not be discussed as a going concern for political parties. But in our very peculiar environment we should fixed those parameters which enhances a vibrant society hence a better and more robust political system.
