A season of factions


Before now, the word ‘faction’ is synonymous with politics. But like a wild fire, it is gradually spreading to other units in the polity. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE examines how unbridled ambition is making some political parties, trade unions, associations, and others go the way of faction

According to Oxford Dictionary, a faction is a small organised dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics. In Nigeria, the term, faction, is not strange to politicians especially when they are in the heat of competing ambition.

For all that counts, politicians, consider factionalisation as the endgame to their unrecognized interest. But whether forming a parallel control unit is the only option at that their disposal is a different kettle of fish.

Although having a dissent voice in matters of politics is not new to the polity but the dimension at which the fiber of ginger groups is resonating beyond politics to other facets of leadership is getting worrisome. Many Nigerians are fast developing the tendency for factions in almost every sphere. Interestingly, dissenting groups in some instances get corresponding recognition than the larger, recognise groups. This trend appears to be shoving aside the popular dictum, ‘united we stand, divided we fall’.

http://newtelegraphonline.com/a-season-of-factions/