Kwara Local Government Election: Internal Democracy Should Have Edge Over Imposition

By: Funsho Abdul Malik

The political sphere of our State has witnessed various movements and revolutions, each echoing the cry for genuine representation and fairness. One such significant movement was the 'Otoge' revolution, a collective battle against a dynasty that had been reigning for four decades. This grassroots movement eventually bore fruit in 2019, bringing to power an APC government led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, CON. The triumph of 'Otoge' was not merely a political victory but a resounding message from the people: democracy must be participatory and leadership should be a product of collective decision-making.

Over the last five years, this has not been so as the Governor who is the overall leader of the ruling party has always been accused of single-handedly picking his cabinet members, sidelining the opinions and inputs of other party leaders and relevant stakeholders. And many fracases which are bedevilling the party, particularly, before the last general elections, have majorly been about this less-democratic practice.

Similarly, recent rumours suggested that the names of the preferred candidates for the upcoming Local Government (LG) elections across the 16 LGAs have already been shortlisted. If true, this move could be detrimental to the democratic values and collective projects we cherish. A free and fair primary should be the cornerstone of our political process. If the consensus method is to be adopted, it must involve all relevant stakeholders, including party leaders, the two Ministers, three Senators Six House of Representatives members and other key actors in the party. Only through such an inclusive process can we ensure the selection of candidates with capacity, integrity and experience.

Competency must be the guiding principle in the selection process. Leadership at any level requires individuals with experience and a proven track record of service. The mantle of leadership cannot be entrusted to those who lack the requisite skills and knowledge. Our political parties must be mindful of this and avoid the temptation of picking candidates based on familiarity or loyalty. The focus should be on merit, competency and the capacity to deliver on promises.

The autonomy of Local government conversation has come to stay and this should be reflected in our political practices. LG autonomy is not just about administrative independence; it is about empowering the grassroots to make decisions that directly affect their lives. For this autonomy to be meaningful, the leaders at the local level must be competent, experienced and chosen through fair, transparent and democratic processes that must be acceptable to all.

As concerned patriots, we must raise our voices against any attempt to undermine internal democracy. The lessons from 'Otoge' remind us that the power of the people is supreme. We fought against a dynasty to reclaim our right to participate in governance. We cannot afford to slip back into a system or even worse than that where decisions are made by a selected few without the interest of the majority. It would be hypocritical for us to repeat the errors of the past, many of which we condemned and used to campaign to our advantage. We have to stop applying deodorant on things that in the past earned pesticides from us.

The journey towards a truly democratic society is ongoing. Each election, each appointment, is a step towards realizing the dreams of 'Otoge'. Let us ensure that the spirit of 2015 and the victory of 2019 are not in vain. Our dear Governor must heed the call for internal democracy and we, the people especially in APC, must remain vigilant, ensuring that our voices are heard and our choices are respected.

May the best among us win the race towards leading the Local Government administration of our dreams. 

Funsho Abdul Malik writes from Gaa-Aremu, Ilorin

Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? For Adverts or report call/WhatsApp us on +2349064433505 or reach us at infokwarareporters@gmail.com