OPINION: NIGERIA: LETS EMPLACE TWO REFINED IDEOLOGICAL POLITICAL PARTIES(LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM)NOW!

True! This writer has been and will always be a proponent of two (ideological-based) political parties in Nigeria (please see his opus on this issue/topic titled: “The Need for Two Political Party System in Nigeria Now”, May 2010). Indeed, he has been consistent and fervent on it for a very long time now (remembering that he wrote a memo to President Ibrahim Babangida and Professor Humphrey Nwosu of National Electoral Commission (NEC) in the early 1990s—for the enforcement of only two political parties and before the establishment of only NRC and SDP). To say the least, he (this writer) staunchly and unwaveringly believes that the emplacement, stabilization and sustainability of two ideologically-based political parties in Nigeria will surely move her forward; and developmentally too—especially in her socio-economic and political dialectics and dynamics (as a nation-state desirous of honest development in all facets of her existence). Therefore, he happily and herein further joins in the presently increasing chorus calling for the emplacement of ideological-based politics in Nigeria now. Indeed, many enlightened Nigerians are singing it loudly, saying: “What we want now in Nigeria is refined ideological politics by two major and dominant political parties.”

In this write-up that joins the above-stated clarion call, please permit us to start it with some helpful quotes by egg-heads that will help us to summit our reasoning on the topic/issue being written upon. Our selected quotes (which are inclusive in our said 2010 opus also) are:

“The ballot is stronger than the bullet”—Abraham Lincoln.
“No man is good enough to govern another without that other’s consent”—Abraham Lincoln.
“Democracy means “direct self government, over all the people, by all the people, and for all the people”’—Abraham Lincoln.
“No government can be long secure without a formidable opposition”—Benjamin Disraeli.
The nation needs two parties, two parties debating each other”—General Collin Powel.
“There are always two parties—the party of the past and the party of the future, the establishment and movement”—Ralf Waldo Emerson.
“There should be another party for democracy to thrive (in Nigeria)…We should have the political will to regroup Nigerian political parties to have viable alternative so that when Nigerians are tired of one party they can switch to the other party…So that during political contests, Nigerians should be able to weigh the two platforms, is this better or that better, before they make a choice”—Professor Humphrey Nwosu.
“The only panacea to series of political logjam that the country (Nigeria) is facing is adoption of two political party system…the (proliferation) of political parties…as if the issue is to sell onions would not take the country anywhere”—Senator Bola Tinubu.

Indeed, the initial understanding of these eight (8) selected quotes above will surely help our country (Nigeria) to emplace two refined ideological political parties (The Liberal/Welfare party and The Conservative party).

Then, thereafter, it will be of utmost importance to ingrain it in the minds of Nigerians (and in the dialectics and dynamics of the nation), of the relevance of the existence of only two ideologically-based political parties in Nigeria. Indeed, the world rotates and is sustained by two sides, most of the time. Two sides of anything and everything are always outstanding, convincing, consistent and most comfortable to make them work and survive on earth. To say the least, the world and all that is in it is two sided. That is the stark reality of Nature’s doings: Indeed, Mother Nature is happy with it and the situation betters her continuously.

Examples of two abound: Man and woman; night and day; left hand and right hand; boy and girl; two sides of a coin or paper money; two nostrils; two legs: left and right; two ears: left and right; two eyes: left and right; outer body and inner body; land and air; war and peace; war-mongers and peace-makers; two breasts; positive and negative (in everything e.g. electric wire, etc); etc, etc. Furthermore, a little explanation convinces many that two sides of a coin (or paper money) must be (exist) for it to be regarded as money and as a means of exchange. Indeed, normality in human physique portends that human beings must have two legs (left and right), two hands (left and right), two eyes (left and right), two ears (left and right), two nostrils (left and right), etc. for it to be regarded a normal human physique (body). Also, we are left with no better choice, but in the consideration of two: man and woman, boy or girl, day and night, good or bad, positive or negative etc. Modernity and its dialectics and dynamics also confront us with its supper innovation in computers which must have two sides also: Hardware and software sides of it for it to be useful.

In political party system in the contemporary world, there are two prominent ones: The Conservatives (Rightists and Realists) and The Liberals (called Progressives or Welfarists in some places). The Conservatives always sympathize with amongst others: History and the past, war and strength, richness and domination, pedigree and heroism, hereditary and ascriptive roles, etc. Liberals (Welfarists/Progressives) will always sympathize with amongst other things: The present and the future, peace and dialogue, equity and equality, competition and meritocracy, etc. In all, like the great American Philosopher; Ralf Waldo Emerson postulated long ago, “There are always two (political) parties—the party of the past and the party of the future, the establishment and movement.” The Conservatives must always defend the establishment with all their energy. The Liberals (progressives/Welfarists) must always be futuristic (progressive) and always be in a state of motion (movement forward). The Conservatives (The Right) must always be REALISTS in their thoughts and actions; while the Liberals (Welfarists/Progressives) must always be IDEALISTIC in their thoughts and actions, too. And to say the least, this is good for humanity, because it takes two to tango for the good of human existence in this world. The right hand must wash the left hand and vice versa for there to be clean hands; man must copulate (make love) to a woman and vice versa for there to be the next generation of humanity (off- springs and successors). So, whether right (realists or Conservatives) or left (idealists or Liberals/Welfarists/Progressives), humanity is bettered. Therefore, there must be (exist) Right and Left (in politics and otherwise) for every society to move forward. This means in essence, as it relates to our write-up here, that the world is always bettered on twos: In political party system—Conservatives (The Rightists and Realists), and the Liberals (the left and idealists—regarded in some places as Welfarists or Progressives).

Then, the question after the heretofore and above indepth realization, understanding and analysis (analogy) is: WHICH WAY NIGERIA? Indeed, which way to follow to emplace a political system that will be enduring and which will also foster and fasten her developmental status as a society of note? Methinks: The emplacement of two refined ideologically-based political parties—The Conservatives and the Liberals (Welfarists)! PDP can represent Conservatism (and its political dialectics and dynamics); while APC can represent Liberalism/Welfarism (as a political ideology also) in our country now and thenceforth. This option is feasible and realizable; and therefore, should be seriously and positively worked-on to be achieved for the good of our country and its good people.

For the sake of clarity, political parties are groups where like-minded people on politics have congregated; and who are involved in (political) activities geared towards winning the reins of power through electoral votes, and thereafter using their attained and consequent engaging power-status in the public-space and life to influence decisions that affects a country’s or society’s socio-economic and political dialectics and dynamics. By two ideological-based political parties, we mean the emplacement of two broad-based groups (political parties) that will foster and further the above defined meanings of political parties. Indeed, two ideological-based political party system means in nutshell, the dominance of two political parties with different political ideologies in a political milieu or society (country/nation) like Nigeria. These political parties canvass for the acceptance of their principles (ideologies) amongst the electorate, and if accepted during and after elections, come-into power to implement these (i.e. their) canvassed principles (ideals and intended programmes otherwise known as ideologies) for the good of their given societies. And whereby they (the winning political party) fell short and did not perform excellently on their programmes as they promised before they were elected into office, the opposition (remember not oppositions) will let the electorate know, and therefore, canvass consequently to be elected in future elections to be elected, so that they can perform better in the future—that is, while in office (after being elected), than the government in power presently.

This is the way two political party systems work excellently for the good of any society where it exist (like USA, Britain, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Scandinavian countries, and even in our nearby-neighourhood country: Ghana); and these nations have developed exceedingly in all human indices and ramifications through two dominant ideological-based political parties. Indeed, our country deserves the excellence of two ideological based political parties. It has shown promise in Nigeria in the past and will surely better our political system and national existence. In this light, we remember the political Eldorado that (NRC National Republican Convention as Conservatives), and SDP (Social Democratic Party as Liberals/Welfarists), was coasting Nigeria towards in 1993, before it was truncated by the military junta led by General Ibrahim Babangida. Before then, the NPN (National party of Nigeria) was becoming a notable Conservative political party in the Second Republic, while other political parties (NPP, UPN,GNPP) were tilting towards and forming the second formidable political party in opposition (calling themselves The progressives then) before the military junta led by General Muhammadu Buhari, truncated it in 1993. In the First Republic, the Nigerian nation was also, systematically marching towards a two political party system too, with the alliances going-on then, before the military upstarts led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Patrick Nzeogwu put it to asunder. To say the least, two ideological-based political parties have always wanted to exist in Nigeria before now for the good of our nation, but it has always been hindered. What we are saying now is that it should be allowed to exist for the good and betterment of the nation. That is the only option we have, in order to move forward politically, economically, socially and otherwise. Therefore, let the Conservatives congregate in one political party (in PDP) and let the Liberals/Welfarists congregate in the alternate political party (who are in power now): APC. In essence, this will be for the good and development of the nation. This is surely an excellent option for the nation in her quest for national survival (at least politically).

Indeed, the multiplicity of political parties in Nigeria today without defined and refined ideological content and focus cannot help the development of the nation. The existence of political parties without ideologies (principles) presently, fosters and festers scatter mentality syndrome in the psyche of the nation, and indeed, in its’ body politic. Without ideological-based political parties, the socio-economic and political indices will continue to be in the negative; “ego-merchants’ and “political prostitutes” will continue to manifest their negative tendencies, and will always remain the peacocks they are. Indeed, the observed scenario presently is not good for the growth and betterment of the nation. With it, her development will remain in quagmire; and therefore, should not be allowed to continue to exist. Let there come into existence: two refined ideological-based political parties in Nigeria, that is, going forward from now!

In conclusion, please permit us to use it (i.e. this concluding part), to hereunder itemize and highlight summarily (even though it is a bit lengthy), the essence/importance of a two ideological-based political party system in Nigeria.

It will give the country a political system road map and principles to follow and compete-for through two broad and stabilizing ideological-based political parties; and with them, democracy in Nigeria will therefore be strengthened.
It will bring into existence, two distinct political ideologies—the Conservatives and Liberals (Welfarists or Progressives if you like to call them so) who will canvass for their electoral-existence and reign-in-power through elections and votes of the electorates.
The dominance of one political party will be checkmated by a strong ideologically-based political party in opposition. Indeed, power intoxication and arrogance derived from political dominance of one party will be curtailed by a strong opposition party with its watch-dog capabilities.
The two political parties will surely become national political parties—thereby curtailing regional, ethnic, religious and egoistical driven tendencies in political party existence. Unity-in-diversity in Nigeria will therefore be enhanced for the good of all Nigerians.
The nation will mature politically, economically, socially and otherwise with two ideological-based political parties (Conservatism and Liberalism/Welfarism); and the opposition party always curtail the tendencies of a ruling party to act with impunity in its governance of the country.
The existence of two ideologically-based political parties in Nigeria will foster unity. Indeed, the two political parties will have branches and membership in all nooks and crannies of the country—that will intermingle to further cement relationship and understandings amongst all the different peoples of Nigeria. Integration will therefore be greatly enhanced.
Nationalists, patriots and statesmen will then be easily made-out of good citizens who will then easily and effortlessly focus all their energies at national development and not on sectional, primordial or religious tendencies. Perfidious characters in politics and “political prostitutes” (those lacking political ideology or non-ideologues) will easily (naturally) and legally be sidelined in the political schemes of the nation and its political parties.
The tendency of a dominant political party to make the nation a one party state will always be checkmated and defeated with an alternate ideologically-based opposition political party. This therefore means that one of the parties will never act to sideline the other party or threat the masses they lead while in political power as fools.
The coming into existence of two ideological-based political parties in Nigeria will bring about vibrancy and transparency into the democratic process (especially as the alternate/opposition party, assisted by civil society groups, will not allow/accept partialism or mismanagement of the electoral process by the electoral body or anyone else).
The two ideological-based political parties while in existence will always make themselves accountable and will be forced by civil society groups to engage in robust debates on their principles and developmental intentions for the nation. Indeed, healthy political competition will therefore then be emplaced in the Nigerian body politic. Thereby also, meaning that party members will know what is expected of them always and will also conduct themselves properly while dealing on issues concerning the members of the general society.
The existence of two ideological-based political system in Nigeria will also flush-out egotists, ego-merchants and political-prostitutes, who actually do not have anything to offer to the polity than their vaunted and overblown egos—they just want to be highly-placed political party officials and “political-pimps.”
Indeed, with the existence of only two ideological-based political parties in Nigeria, who, with their formulated principles, ideologies, road-map and directions, “political-prostitution” and carpet-crossing will be curtailed (and eliminated). Conservatives will always remain Conservatives while Liberals (Welfarists or Progressives) will always sympathize with birds (persons) of the same plumage and therefore flock (work) together.
With two ideological-based political parties only on the ballot paper, it will then become an easy choice for voters at the polling booths to vote their desired political parties and candidates. Indeed, a voter will have an easy choice to vote either political party A or B (let’s say APC or PDP as the case may futuristically be in Nigeria). Even if the voter does not have an informed choice—that is, having not made a choice based on critical analysis of the candidates or their party programmes and ideologies before entering the polling booth, choice of political party A or B only on the ballot paper will become extremely easy! To say the least “political illiterates”—those who have not earlier decided on which political party programme to vote-for before the election day, can still vote by casting their precious ballot blindly for political party A or B (which are only those on the ballot paper), or make protest votes against political party A or B for their non-performance while in office. Indeed, the existence of only two ideological-based political parties offer the electorate a viable alternative—making them to switch to the alternate/opposition party on the ballot paper when they are tired of any of them and their shiftlessness.
Surely, with the existence of only two ideological-based political parties, it will be made easier for Nigerians during political contests (elections), to be able to weigh the two platforms, performances, principles, programmes and honest promises before they make their electoral choices and supports, during elections and thereafter.
In all, with the existence of only two ideological-based political parties (Conservatism and Liberal/Welfarists) as it is in USA and Britain (just to mention a few), the opposition political party will not be seen by the political party-in-government (power) as an enemy. The opposition will always stand to offer constructive criticisms and alternate solutions to government policies—thereby making the government-in-power better in governance and always at alert to their responsibilities. Indeed, the opposition with their alternative programmes and principles (ideologies) will be seen by the masses (nay: electorates) as the government-in-waiting. This therefore means that the opposition political party will be (i.e. make itself) ideologically-sound, politically-strong, viable-enough, coherent-enough, and strive constantly to have adequate membership and human resources to take-over governance if the electorate choose to vote-it-into-power in subsequent elections.