Much of the time, Nigeria’s zero ideological politics is discussed almost dismissively as though it is her native character trait, cast in pure concrete.
This rather warped but venal argument is often canvassed in such a manner that it consciously excuses integrity deficit and goes ahead to slap despicable conducts on the wrist.
Unfortunately, the relationship between ideological politics and the individual’s integrity as well as sound values nay upbringing is neither blurry nor requires the help of a hairsplitter to determine.
The name Daniel Bwala should ring a bell, even though it projects more negativities. He was in the ruling APC in the build-up to the 2023 general election before parting ways with the party, because he thought the preference of then candidate Bola Tinubu for a Muslim-Muslim ticket was against the spirit of the Nigeria of his dream. You’d almost believe his pseudo patriotism.
Bwala didn’t quit peacefully. He left in his trail, damning verdicts – at different times – on the candidate, his chances in the election and what his presidency would look like if elected. He went on to join Tinubu’s archrival, Atiku Abubukar of the PDP, and the fireworks continued, ferociously. Although the Atiku camp suspected he was not genuine, they accepted him nevertheless.
He daily fired destructive salvos at the Tinubu camp. At the breaking of new day, he treated Nigerians to the disaster that awaited them should Tinubu win the election. He still didn’t stop there. He sustained his debilitating attacks even after Tinubu’s victory, and tarried till the Supreme Court pronounced him winner of the election.
But last Wednesday, the story changed, albeit shamefully, when an obviously starving Bwala with decrepit character traits and non-existent integrity, coupled with zero honour, returned to Tinubu, pledged loyalty to his government and hinted of plans to return to the APC he once called names – many of them resentful. What do you expect? For a man with no alternative address, hunger was an everyday guest at his home.
While there’s the need to keep interrogating the basis for the nation’s poor ideological politics in relation to how the individual is built or wired for collective good, it is yet to be seen what values a man, who is propelled by evident hunger and sheer survival, would bring to an already lurching government. Fingers crossed!
ThisDay
