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Ogbeh and the verdict of history
Despite the
condemnations that trailed the politics of the Second Republic, Chief Audu
Ogbeh, the National Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party
(PDP), came out unscratched. He was not only recognized as a credible voice
among a rapacious political class, his reputation and integrity were intact
when the military, who toppled the Alhaji Shehu Shagari government, probed the
activities of Shagari’s men .
His emergence as the PDP
leader was based on this track record. Even though the exit of Chief Barnabas
Gemade was shrouded in controversy, Ogbeh had little problem in gaining the
acceptance of not only the members of the party, but that of Nigerians in general.
Indeed, his coming was seen as a point of departure for a party that was
directionless and that lacked internal cohesion. However, events of the past
few months and the role Ogbeh has played in it have given way for a
redefinition of how to look at the man Ogbeh.
As the leader of the
ruling party, Ogbeh is the symbol of many hopes and aspirations and he is
supposed to act as such. Still, his major role should include the aggregation
of various interests to the policies and programmes of government. Even as the
chairman of the ruling party, he is not supposed to be a foot soldier of the
government, rather he is supposed to express the feelings of the people to the
government, making sure it is given due consideration at the policy making
table.
Sadly, Ogbeh has failed
the test so far. The federal government has engaged in many anti-democratic
practices in the past five years, getting worse in the last 18 months. But the
party leader has not deemed it fit to call the presidency to order. Instead, he
has willingly accepted his role as a mere pupil as the President wields the
stick. Ogbeh has refused to stand out and be counted among the masses of this
country in the midst of an increasingly unpopular imperial presidency.
The picture of Ogbeh and
his men in the National Assembly Chambers during the debate on the new Labour
Bill is still fresh in our memory. He and his co-travelers were there to coerce
the members, most of who are in PDP, to follow the path of the Aso Rock, which
they predictably did.
Interestingly, the chairman does not think it is paramount
for him to take sides with the people. Neither does he think that following the
dictates of the presidency without little or no resistance is killing the
democratic process slowly. Ogbeh should tarry awhile and think of how he would
be judged by history 10 years from now. Perhaps, that will make him to change
gear and save us from this imminent drift to precipice.
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