Buhari's Integrity should not be overstretched: APC must wake up to build the party beyond Buhari -- Barr Joseph Odok

 I hear some politicians blaming the non-interference of Buhari and his refusal to openly go out to campaign for their gubernatorial elections. As humans and partisan politicians, they are justified in their feelings but Buhari is not fighting for APC but for total liberation of Nigerian democracy that has been chained by desperate politicians in all political parties.

 Sadly APC faced more casualties, there seems to be a media legitimisation of every illegality of PDP.  The worst of criminal action of PDP is viewed in jaundiced lens as democracy in action. The total suffocation of democracy in South South  and South  East and the outright compromise of INEC,  Security Personnels, thumprinting, ballot box snatching, use of state's funds for vote buying by PDP is hypocritically tagged democracy in acton

 So many APC politicians rode on the back of Buhari to power. Sadly they got too comfortable to connect themselves to the at the grass root level. Their friends became members of PDP whom they sold APC chances to. Beneficiaries of contracts in the Buhari's first term  administration were mostly PDP members that bought contracts from some corrupt cabinet members in APC administration

 The corrupt monies stolen by PDP in their 16 years was used to compromise the judiciary, INEC and security. PDP manipulate and took over the National Assembly even when they were the minority party. Their hold on the National Assembly was through comprise of some APC legislators bought over by the red and green chambers. Desperate politicians in PDP went as far as negotiating the continuous sale of Nigeria to the international community. There was too much money in the hands of PDP while APC supporter wallowed in abject poverty

 APC totally lost control as each politician sought his private interest in sacrifice of party's interest. Oyegun almost buried APC in the days of his leadership as National chairman. APC was in near collapse

 While Buharists built a cult around Buhari, they were disenchanted by the actions and inactions of some APC opportunists that have sidelined them from the benefits of politics by desperately pursuing their personal interest in sacrifice of party's interest.  APC supporters are today the poorest Nigerians, in their poverty, they were justified in voting for Buhari because of his integrity and wasted no time in voting out bad eggs in APC

 Buharists could sacrifice their last blood to get Buhari reelected but saw no justification in the sacrificing for the reelection of some candidates especially those whose actions and inactions had almost killed the party. Buhari's integrity was the reason for their commitment and sacrifices and  nothing more, this was the reason some withdrew their support after the reelection of Buhari

 Buhari was faced with the two options after his reelection: either to interfere with democracy and compromise the system to expand the hold of APC or allow Nigerians to choose their leaders and thereby strengthen democracy. The option of non-interference appears to me a better option. It would have been catastrophic to have sacrificed his hard earned integrity in a way that will destroy the foundation of democracy he has built

 Buhari's non-interference actually gave way to some evils. Incumbent Governors misused their opportunity and plunged state funds to intimidated voters to rig elections. PDP had more monies in their hands, they fought as a united team and were united even in protecting everything evil and the most corrupt criminal fronting their tickets. Through criminal means PDP increased  the number of Governors in their fold

 Unlike PDP, APC had all burden of work left for their candidates. Appointees of Government  never helped most APC candidate because they have no relevance in their constituencies due  of their selfish disposition. Most of them were embarrassed by their people who went out to collaborate with PDP to win  in their poling units

 Despite the challenges of APC, their chances for 2023 are far more brighter if they correct their mistakes by connecting the party to the grass roots.  Some cabinet members and appointees of President Buhari have no business in government. Some should rather be in remand homes for proper training to curb their warp mentality about what being a progressives entails. Some APC apppointess actually think that being a progressive means keeping all monies for oneself and claiming poverty.

 I think it is pomposity that makes PDP think they are stronger now. Buhari alone has retired the pillars of PDP politics.

 By the time he moves on with his next level agenda and empower party men, PDP will be too weak for any contest with APC

 Buhari is a strategist, he made PDP to spend all they have embezzled, they are no more in government and are outspent. When PDP is cut out of access to stolen funds,  criminals in their midst will gradually find their way to prisons their supposed homes rather than occupying positions of power

 The next strength of PDP was the mistake of making them hijack the National Assembly. When APC take charge PDP will be too poor to fund elections. Unlike Buhari that could get vote because of his integrity, no PDP Governor can win elections without vote buying

Buhari is strategically  sanitizing the judiciary. The next level Government of Buhari will have the three arms of government working together

 Before 2023, Nigerians will reject PDP like a leperous party. All that Buhari need to do is to build a reward system for hard work and punishment for every crime. It is still a bright future ahead for APC,  Kudos to the Integrity of Buhari and Nigerian electorates that are getting more sophisticated by retiring opportunists  out of the corridors of power. No more federal might as a reward for non-performance, every politician has to present himself to the people to be elected or retired from politics

Joseph Odok PhD Esq
Director Media and Strategic Communication COBOM