POLITICS OF PERSONAL INTEREST AND THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY

The preference for democracy over other forms of government is because of its
people centeredness, its capacity to deliver good governance to the generality of the people and its emphasis on national good before personal or group interest. The greatest threat to Nigeria’s democracy today is not impunity as many people are wont to think but the promotion of personal interest before national consideration. We are unfortunate to be burdened with selfish and self aggrandizing political elites that are more concerned about their parochial interest and individual ambitions even when such ambitions are capable of undermining the peace and well being of the country. It is within every individual’s right and personal liberty to have aspirations and ambition but if the collective liberty of others and the welfare of the nation would be sacrificed for this ambition to be realized, then it becomes a threat to democracy. We saw this scenario during the run up to the 2011 elections, when a mutually consented gentleman agreement of a party was ditched to accommodate the ambition of one man. The present insurgency in the North, as some people allege has its root to the outcome of that event.

One issue that typifies this dangerous trend of placing private interest over public good is the obnoxious pension law for ex governors in most states. That such laws were passed without recourse to the feeling and suffering of the masses shows the extent to which our elites could go in furthering their personal interests. But the most troubling aspect of this anomaly is the way personal interest has become the sole reason for joining politics in Nigeria. Politics in Nigeria is a dirty game because those who play it place their personal interest far and above national interest. Most political moves and alignments are driven by personal interest and not principles or ideologies. The death of party ideology in Nigeria is because politicians see politics as an avenue to further only their interest and when they feel that their private interest is not served, they have no scruples over jumping ship as long as their interest will be guaranteed in another party.

The reason for the defection of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau from APC to PDP in Kano, the dumping of APC by Alhaji Buba Marwa or the mass exodus of 5 PDP governors, may not be unconnected with their desire to have unfettered control of the party structure in their states. The desire to have unquestionable control over the party structure is not for the sake of using it to protect the interest of the generality of their people but to ensure their political preservation and their continued relevance. Personal interest has impeded the growth of internal party democracy in the various political parties. The newly formed APC is already experiencing some problems because of the overreaching interest of certain big men who see the party as their personal franchise. A situation where one man or a group of people confer on themselves special privileges of dictating candidates for political positions, thereby usurping the rights of others in having a say in party affairs can only be defined as a poor imitation of democracy.

Corruption is unarguably one of Nigeria’s biggest problems and fighting it requires unwavering commitment. Personal and political interest have made it difficult to effectively combat the scourge of corruption in that the anti graft agencies soft pedal on cases involving big men who are seen as having some electoral worth and can help the party at the center with votes during election. The corruption case involving the former minister of aviation who was a vocal and unsparing critic of the present administration is as good as quashed now that he has become a member of the ruling party and a strong campaigner for the reelection of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. There are many more cases like that, that are suffering because the people involved can serve the interest of the Presidency.

As we approach another electioneering year, there is need for politicians, political parties and other interest groups to always put national interest above personal interest. Nigeria is bigger than every one of us and our ambitions must be subsumed under the overall interest of the nation. Democracy is our surest bet for advancing the frontiers of development and ensuring good governance for the Nigerian masses. We must resist attempts by powerful individuals to destroy the institutions of democracy for the sake of their inordinate ambitions and interest.

Offor Honest is an advocate for change and youth involvement in politics. You can follow him on Twitter @honest4change.