Gbenga on APC what they stand for

Permit me to start this piece by congratulating the principals of the opposition parties that have taken the huge step in announcing their merger and the creation of a new party, the All Progressive Congress (APC). If you have ever had to negotiate a major business deal or head a team of people with different backgrounds, ideologies and goals, you’ll understand how much of a task it must have been to get a former military president, two former governors and a sitting governor amongst other personalities to agree on a document that satisfies everyone. The personal sacrifice that these men have made is monumental and deserves mention and praise. I salute them.

Now, since the annoucement of the merger, there has been so much discussion and debate, online and off it, about how the new party will look like. The uncertainties surrounding the APC are not helped a few unresolved issues: the absence of a party logo, the non existence of a manifesto, APGA’s internal crisis, amongst others. Progressive-minded young people, who have been following the matter with keen interest, say they would love to be heavily involved in the shaping of the party and play a role in making it a force. They say they would like a situation where the elders took a more relaxed role in the party and allowed the youth take the lead. They even go as far as wanting to run for offices under the banner of the APC and want to have a say in who is picked to run as for the bigger offices.

This is Banky W’s music to my ears and very encouraging for me. That young Nigerians, who hitherto hardly gave a damn about who sat in the big chair in Aso Rock, are now saying they want to be involved in politics, is a very welcome development. This was the state of mind I had in 2010 when I left my bride and my pride in Lagos, headed to Abuja, joined the Nuhu Ribadu campaign and gave it my very best. I was pasting posters from Benin to Kano, marching on the streets of Lagos to Kaduna, shouting myself hoarse at campaign rallies and typing my fingers to the bone in support of my candidate. It gladdens my heart to know that this next general election promises to be less lonely and more organised. I’m glad I will have hot, young and ready warriors by my side in the next battle for the soul of my country. Do not be in doubt; this is a battle and we are in it to win it!

However, I must warn my fellow ‘soldiers’ that we can’t just turn up with our thicky-protected iPads, buzzing BlackBerry phones and fancy sneakers and expect to become overlords in the new party.  This is not Twitter, my friends; this is politics. Our youth isn’t enough argument that we should be the spine of the APC. Yes, we have the will, the data and the modern tools but have we grown politically matured enough to lead this assault on the enemy’s camp? Have we got the killer strategy to turn the APC from just a party into a national movement? Where are those lovely plans to have at least one thousand youth per ward registered members of the APC? Are we ready to sacrifice our skills, resources and relationships in the slight hope that we may just – just – be able to replace these rouges in government – local, state and federal- and the legislature with visionary minds and able bodies?

I must say I doubt if we all are ready to give up our cosy offices in exchange for the less comfortable hot sun. Yes, we did it at Occupy Nigeria but that was because we had collective rage to fuel it and the support of friends. Are we ready to do this even if our friends think it will end in failure? Are you ready to stand the risk of expulsion from school just to stage a concert in support of the APC? Mr Hip-hop Artist, are you ready to do a show free-of-charge for a chance to have your industry better regulated and to have a more respecting bank balance? You, the brother with the jeep, will you be willing to use it to carry posters and campaign materials? And willingly explain why you have them to the police each time they search your boot?

While the APC is perfecting its moves and gaining ground, I suggest we start talking AS A UNIT. I suggest we start talking to the Tinubus, the Buharis, the Okorochas and the Shekaraus. We should start text-bombing them with our ideas and thoughts. We should start meeting in small groups. We should invite people who may not like politics but know they have a skill or resource to bring to the table. We should start thinking of creative ways the party can raise money for its operation. We have very brilliant App developers, so some should start think of Apps that will help check election fraud. We should start warning INEC to remain a fair umpire in this next election.

For our young friends in the PDP, we should begin to make them see reasons why the party will never come good for our country. They should be shown that every sign points to the fact that things won’t change with the likes of President Goodluck Jonathan, David Mark and Tony Anenih in charge. I mean, if ex-convict, Bode George of all people is still holding sway amongst that lot, responsible people should stay clear.

What am I saying? Young Nigerians, to take the lead in the APC, we have to demonstrate why we are its biggest asset. We must get organised, get involved and sacrifice a few concert tickets in exchange for a better Nigeria. Or we could fold our arms and watch the Nigerian sun disappear over the horizon, never to rise again. The choice is ours.

This article will not be complete if I do not make mention the uncommon courage, leadership and class which the former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, demonstrated last week. He took it upon himself to wade into the internal crisis of a sister party and came out with a result that is being praised by all. That a man would be willing to drag himself through the politics of another man’s family is a true mark of a statesman. Tinubu’s selflessness should be an example to all Nigerian youth.