IMPOSITION OF CANDIDATES, THE BANE OF DEMOCRACY.

For every political party, internal democracy is a requisite ingredient of real progress. This is because the concept of democracy simply gives all powers to the people. The party people choose their candidates for the general election. If the candidates are chosen via any other means, then the political space would be polluted and no true democracy can be said to be in existence.

An objective political party abhors the imposition of candidates. All candidates interested in elective offices are given equal opportunities to test their popularity within the party via a democratically – conducted free, fair and credible primaries. This no doubt produces the most popular candidates for the various electoral positions in the general election.

Anything short of this is a total detour from democratic norms and principles. In Nigeria, imposition of candidates on the party by some influential leaders has become the rule rather than the exception. This practice has spelt doom for many political parties and even their candidates whose political ambitions had been truncated undemocratically in preference for some sacred cows.

It can be said that imposition of candidates is as old as Nigeria's democracy, but this spate of imposition assumed disturbing dimensions with the advent of republican democracy in 1999. Party tin gods went practically low wire as they picked and chose favoured candidates and godson at will without any concern for the good and progress of the party. Such party tin gods prefer their loyalists and criminals to popular candidates. The imposition came to a head in the last general elections and thereafter as party members, who felt shortchanged during party primaries left in droves to other parties.

It is important to note that imposition of candidates cuts across all the political parties. Recent experience has shown the tendency of this evil practice to cause the disintegration of political parties and to breed bad blood and discontentment in the rank and file of the parties. This practice is a threat to democracy as it does not give room for party members to have a say in the choice of candidates to stand for the main election.

Another dimension to the imposition syndrome is the practice whereby certain candidates who feel shortchanged in one party crossover to another party only to be given the opportunity to vie for elective posts or offered plum jobs over and above hardworking and loyal old party members. This also breeds frustration and bad blood in the system. It sounds in breach of the fundamental rights of party members to deny them the right to elect candidate of their choice. The bane of our party politics since 1999 is impatience on the pact of party godfathers and members to allow democracy to flourish in the parties.

The spate of imposition across Nigeria political parties dampen the morale of members. It is a practice that is capable of shaking the belief of members in their party and in its internal mechanisms. It is a direct affront to democracy which reduces the game of polities to a process of sheer selection, favouritism and particularism. No doubt, this is a total threat to our fledgling democracy.

This can spell doom for our democracy. Not only does this practice shortchange our democracy, it threatens our national stability. It is dangerous to national security. It is worse than insurgency, which has gulped a considerable chunk of our national budget. In a democracy without democracy, there will be no government to fight insecurity and injustice. There will be breakdown of law and order. Let us protect and preserve our democracy for our posterity.

Hon Dr Tony Nwoye, the member representing Anambra East and West federal constituency in the National Assembly of Nigeria, unarguably the most vibrantly youthful APC aspirant in Anambra guber election, has always reassured all Anambrarians and the international community of his firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. His commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering. Like he would always say: "Only through a free, fair and credible primary election where delegates are allowed to independently exercise their franchise, can we as APC Anambra choose the best candidate who will be the governor of Anambra state in 2018".

Comrade Nwosu Ifeanyi Stephen

South East Co-ordinator

Buhari Youth Organisation

&

State Chairman

National Youth Council Of Nigeria

Anambra State Chapter.

08035389903

ifeanyi1981:

IMPOSITION OF CANDIDATES, THE BANE OF DEMOCRACY.

For every political party, internal democracy is a requisite ingredient of real progress. This is because the concept of democracy simply gives all powers to the people.

Until that day "PEOPLE" are willing to look outside the BOX as, "the concept of democracy simply gives power to the people". If not, such a HOAX "the concept of democracy simply gives power to the people" will forever be on them.

WHAT POWER?

A little insight is this. How much does a Senator earn? How much do "the people" earn meaning minimum wage. WHERE DOES POWER LIE?! Its all make believe that power lies with the people. Government policies hardly reflects public opinion. As far as Imposition of candidates, its no BANE of Democracy but its BONE people are only being deluded to think otherwise. THERE WILL FOREVER BE A 'GOD FATHER' WHO MAKES THE CHOICE.

People are only being carried along by making them believe in the illusion that power rest with them.

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