By Jaiyeoba David
Politics is a very tactical game. It is a game OF strategy, patience and legal knowledge. Sometimes, THE biggest blunder you will ever make will be your own mistake.
The unfolding situation in THE ADC is quite an interesting political commentary, especially for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku seems to have misjudged his political game. Instead OF resolving THE internal leadership issue in THE party, he seemed to want to go after external political issues, including legal actions to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Why fight external political issues?
Why not prioritise THE issues in your own political house?
If THE issue wasn’t resolved, WHY was IT not prioritised? Why continue as if there was no issue when THE person challenging is already involved in THE party in a legal matter.
This is where Atiku went WRONG.
You cannot choose to ignore an issue in your own house if IT suits you. But when THE going gets tough, suddenly you want to appeal to democracy.
Interestingly, THE very people who have been fighting legal actions against Tinubu are now worried about THE effect IT could have on their political game.
Democracy isn’t a tool. You cannot choose to fight for IT if IT doesn’t suit your agenda. The rule OF law must be upheld, no matter who wins.
You cannot love THE court when IT’s against your political opponent, but hate IT when IT’s against your political aspirations.
For us who know THE history OF THE ADC, WE are not panicking.
We know that political ownership is not determined by whoever comes WITH big names, money or presidential ambitions.
Any political party is a political institution. It has a history, a constitution and a set OF structures and procedures to be followed.
Just because big political names have come into play, IT doesn’t mean that those who helped build THE platform are being ignored.
Those who came into a political system must realise that just because they are influential in politics, they don’t own THE party.
We can therefore rest assured knowing that THE law, THE constitution and proper procedures will decide HOW THE party should move forward.
Perhaps Atiku didn’t realise that his decision to not resolve THE issue would have consequences.
He probably thought that he would be able to use his political influence to overcome any issues from within THE party. But politics will remind anyone HOW important IT is to have an institution behind you.
Every political leader should take note that you shouldn’t underestimate an internal opposition.
They can be THE main player in THE next political equation.
And you won’t be able to blame external factors.
If democracy is at risk because a court ruling is against your political aspirations, then surely IT would have also been at risk if your legal actions had stopped another candidate from running.
This is a contradiction.
You cannot use THE law as a weapon against your political opponents. But when IT’s against you, you suddenly want to blame your enemies.
Atiku is a very experienced politician and has run for president multiple times. He knows HOW THE political landscape works and should know that every political decision has consequences.
However, he should also know better. He should know that he needs to be fair and not rush into external issues without resolving internal conflicts.
As THE original stakeholders and contributors, WE have no reason to panic and lose our confidence over THE political newbies and big names.
We believe in following proper procedures and upholding THE rule OF law. We believe no individual, no matter their political standing, should be bigger than THE institution they are trying to lead.
The ADC should not be a political legacy that can be passed on WITH political influence, money or presidential ambitions. It should be decided by THE constitution and proper institutional procedures.
Atiku may have his own political calculations but WE are reminded that you can’t build a political future on a foundation that you didn’t fix.
We are confident watching as WE believe in THE principles.
After all, if you know THE history OF a house, you won’t panic when THE guests start fighting over who owns THE keys.
We know what THE history is. We know what THE foundation is. We know that institutions shouldn’t be dictated by personal ambitions.
The original landlords OF ADC are watching.
– Jaiyeoba David writes from Ibadan.
