By Femi Onakanren
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 did the unprecedented in Nigeria’s political landscape; the party wrestled the Presidency from the incumbent PDP led administration. It consolidated its win in 2015 with a repeat in 2019.
John Odigie Oyegun (elected Executive Governor of Edo State in the aborted 3rd Republic) served as the first national chairman of the party. He was succeeded by Adams Oshiomole (incidentally also a former Governor). Both were removed under acrimonious circumstances which threatened the party’s continued corporate existence.
A Caretaker committee, the CECPC, led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, the CECPC, was instituted as an ad hoc management team. However, in the twilight of his stewardship, he and the committee were found wanting and duplicitous in their responsibilities.
The upcoming APC National Convention elections is scheduled for the 26th of March, 2022. It is an opportunity for the APC, a party built on the promise of change and integrity to get it right, especially as it’s star representative, President Muhammadu Buhari will be coming to the end of his presidential service.
The APC administration under President Buhari has valiantly fought to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, even under very challenging local and global social, security and economic conditions. The infrastructure drive, agriculture support, housing schemes, national identity scheme and others are undeniable legacies of this administration.
On the 9th of March, 2022, the APC shared its zoning formula for the upcoming convention and zoned its Chairmanship to the North Central geopolitical region of the country. The leading candidates for the Chairmanship position are Mallam Saliu Mustapha (Former Deputy National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change), Governor Abdullahi Adamu(Serving Governor of Nassarawa State), Senator Tanko Al-Makura (Former Governor of Nassarawa State), Minister of Special Duties George Akume (Former Governor of Benue State), Senator Sani Musa, Mohammed Etsu (Current Aide to the Governor of Niger State).
So, who amongst the above will lead the APC to a new dawn? The March 26 Convention will prove to be a watershed moment. What is the profile and character of the ideal candidate to lead the APC forward as its National Chairman? Below is a list of key character, political, professional and social traits required.
Integrity and incorruptibility
The next APC Chairman must come with a clean bill of health in terms of integrity. The preferred candidate must not have a history of corruption allegations or outstanding/on-going corruption cases to answer the nation’s anti-graft agencies.
He must be a person of unimpeachable character and uncompromised or soiled integrity. Anyone with even a slight blight is unfit to lead the party going forward.
Political Experience, Savvy and Zero Baggage or Questions of Loyalties
The next APC Chairman must be a seasoned politician with a firm hold on grassroots and local politics and nonpartisan connectedness to key stakeholders in all national constituencies. The candidate must not come with political party cross carpeting baggage (hopping from party to party) or a history of questionable loyalty and self interest seeking agenda.
Preferably, the candidate should have administrative experience in serving a political party at national levels; having held a political position previously/currently, should automatically disqualify any candidate as the possibility of conflict of interests and personal ambitions have proven to be waterloo signals in previous chairmen.
The party cannot afford internal implosion due to conflicts of political ambitions by its leaders who should be unbiased administrators.
Young, Socially Aware of Modern Technology and Global Trends
The world has changed a lot and it stands to reason that a party built on the principle of change, must embrace it. The next APC Chairman must be someone the youths, underprivileged, women etc. can connect with and who understand their pain points and concerns.
He must be gender neutral and unbiased, have an understanding of the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerian youths, understand global technology and social development trends, and be possessed of empathy for the physically disabled and the socially and economically underprivileged.
The preferred candidate must be egalitarian and relatable, he must have an open door, open ears policy to all members and Interests within and outside the party. The preferred candidate should be less than 60 years of age.
Religiously, Ethnically and Ideologically Uncompromised
The incoming national chairman of the APC must not carry any ethnic or religious bigotry baggage. The preferred individual must be a nationalist without religious or tribal compromise. The party’s eventual candidate should be a person without a history of compromise, bigotry, anarchy promotion or anti-nation sentiments.
Ideologically, the individual must be committed to the essence and mandate of the APC. Recall the party’s success was built on the progressive change ideology? Thusly, the Chairmanship flag bearer of the party must embody the ethos and values that attracted Nigerians to the the party.
Summarily, a screening and convention manageing committee has been set up, candidates have indicated their interests and the country is watching. This convention and its outcome will be a strong determinant of the future of the APC and its political ambitions, relevance and corporate existence.
The convention will hold on 26th March 2022. The nation, opposition and polity, is watching with keen interest. The APC cannot afford to miss an opportunity to set the right tone towards the 2023 general elections. What is expected is clear, the decision, and indeed the future, is in the hands of the stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Femi Onakanren is a Business Development Specialist and Social Commentator. He writes from Lagos
