By: Adedara Oduguwa Ph.D
I know many people would be wondering why a politician in PDP needs up to 30b naira (Peterside, 2022) to get the attention of a paltry 237 delegates in a primary election involving only 773 voters.
When this is compared to over 2000 delegates in APC, then you know how much would be expended in relative terms being the ruling incumbent party.
Then, one would swiftly asked, why is the process largely monetized? Are there no God-fearing people among the delegates that may likely reject an inducement of money ? Who will perhaps, embrace value, integrity and merit among these special delegates?
Well, I want to disappoint you ‘such person doesn’t exist in APC, PDP or any competitive political party’ in Nigeria.
Why?
A party delegate is usually a pure-politician. Who trades lies for relevance and transact politics just like Chima sells Electronics in Alaba Market. His or her livelihood is dependent on politics. Sadly, most of whom are irresponsible and lazy family men/women.
In describing a delegate, such person typically don’t have conscience, carefree about his security when money is involved and would do anything to betray his conscience and that of others. These analogies better describes who a typical experienced politician is.
Comparatively, the saying that ’politics is dirty’ must have been coined from attitudes, body language and behaviour of these shameless ‘delegates’. They are pigs and if you are neat, don’t go near them, if you don’t want to be dragged into their filthy mud.
My participation in politics started, perhaps before my birth, but I became aware in 1992 when some unscrupulous elements almost got our compound bunt. I was aged 7 at the time. In 1999, I was party agent and got fully involved.
Between 1999 and date, I have never missed voting or participation in our electoral processes. In Sagamu and Ogun, there is no major politician I don’t know and perhaps that doesn’t know me. I am aware of the character and deception of politicians.
I like to say, if a political aspirant is not ready to spend through his or her nose, he can’t smell ticket of a major political party in Nigeria. Whenever it’s primary or real elections, dollar must rain!
Growing up, I have interrelated and interacted with politicians of the first, second, third and fourth republics. Many of whom are still my friends and fathers today.
I could deduced from all of them that one of the major ingredients of ‘winning any election is money’. I once discussed with a prominent politician of the first republic. He was an Awolowo Lieutenant.
I told him ‘ Sir, anytime I would be contesting I won’t spend a dime.’
‘Then you will lose absolutely to a no-candidate. In politics, you must spend money. You may do it moderately. But to ignore money, forget it.’_The baba said.
I was shocked. Soon, I remembered how Chief Awolowo our leader became the first poltlician to use an Helicopter to campaign. A lot of other things.
Umm! Let’s get back on track. If a Governor or President is 50 percents corrupt, party delegates are 150 percents ahead in comparative shenanigans.
You should ask why?
To be delegate in any major party you must have spent money, win in the congress (es) and emerged from the Ward. You must be a State delegate before become a national delegate. Some would even kill for this powerful position.
In PDP’s last primary case, only one person qualifies to be delegate at the national level (it used to be two persons per LocalGovernment in the past). Every delegate is expecting only one thing from the candidates-money.
For the delegates, this is the only time their delegate’s title is relevant. Immediately after it, they become irrelevant. So, any politician willing to win or be relevant in elections must be ready to spend and it must be rain of dollars.
For example, how many people are surprised that Chief Dele Momodu didn’t win a vote upon his numerous activities and adventures to all states of the federation? Do you think he’s not popular? Far from it!
After Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, uncle Dele is the most popular person among those aspirants. There is nobody in Nigerian powerhouse he doesn’t have personal relationship with since 1989. Being a media man. However, delegates are like prostitute;
‘Money for hand, vote for ground.’ He was not defeated by anyone. He must have been defeated by money.
In the coming days, it’s estimated that over 50b naira would be spent by APC’s presidential aspirants on delegates. Winner would emerged on two grounds:
1. Money
2. Popularity.
Results of aspirants would be based on their spending prowess, popularity and little with Buhari’s influence. I know for sure, if Buhari tells any delegate to vote for Mr A, he must attach a portmanteau full of dollars to it, if his dictatorial order must be followed. No delegate listen to you without money. Especially when the president’s tenure is almost over.
A typical delegate would say ‘ Sebi you are chopping yours, this is my time.’
Most delegate don’t know what they are doing. They follow money and their immediate leader. The leader who in most cases follow the highest bidder.
Anyone able to win delegates in primary elections would win anyone in any contest. Political party delegates are prostitutes. The more you spend on them, the more you get from them.
Do you now see why Mr. Obi ran out of PDP? The moment you are not ready to spend, or you don’t have enough to spend, you would lose. Wike had such votes because he has money. Can’t you see what Saraki and Pius Anyim gathered? That’s the capacity of their spending.
Do you now see why Tinubu remains the most powerful of APC aspirants today? He has the popularity among this ever corrupt delegates and has more cash to spend than all of them combined. Beyond his personal money, 12 sitting governors, atleast 40 Senators, 140 Representatives, are ready to spend on his behalf.
Finally, a party delegate is one that don’t know what he/she wants but follows the dictate of money, his/her leader and greed.