Is the APC of today really better than the PDP?

OPINION

PDP and APC logo.

In 2013, a new mega party was formed in Nigeria. This party, the All Progressive Congress came as a result of a merger formed by the major opposition parties in Nigeria to try and rescue power from the PDP led government at the centre. The merger involves the ACN, led by Lagos' strong man of politics, Chief Bola Tinubu, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), headed by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) led by Gov. Rochas Okorocha . And there were later joined by the new PDP faction to complete the puzzle.

 "At no time in our national life has radical change become more urgent," said a joint statement read to reporters by ex-Foreign Minister Tom Ikimi of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) party. "And to meet the challenge of that change, we.... have resolved to merge forthwith and become the All Progressive Congress," he said.

Therefore it was no surprise that the change mantra swept all and sundry to win the 2015 election. The party was seen as a unique brand different from the corrupt and rudderless PDP at the time. But perhaps the wind that really turned the tide in their favour was the election of General Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential flag bearer for the 2015 election. His perceived incorruptible and stern personality was the very thing that Nigerians sought for at a time when corruption and insecurity was threatening the very fabric of the nation. 

Fast forward to five years later and every trait that once appalled Nigerians about the PDP seems to be rearing its ugly head in APC. The APC of 2018 is like a party on a collision course. Virtually every level of the party is facing one form of controversy or crises. Meanwhile the governance of the nation and fulfilment of it's many promises have been relegated to the background. Excuses rain daily. When the national leader of a party accuses the national chairman of the party of gross misconduct, then it is obvious that all is not well. The Nigerian National Assembly is also controlled by the ruling APC so one would naturally expect them to work effortlessly with the executive. But this is not happening. Several nominations and appointments by the president are left hanging because the legislature is at loggerhead with the presidency. But the party, under whose umbrella they all came to power has been unable to bring sanity between them thereby allowing key positions of government to remain vacant.

APC governors with the president and vice president.

 It is also of great concern to note that nearly all the states controlled by the ruling party is experiencing one form of crises or the other. From Kaduna state were Gov. Nasir El-Rufai is having running battles with two senators of his party, to Kogi state were the state party executives and the governor are on a war path, down to Ondo were Gov Akeredolu and Senator Borroface are threatening fire and brimstone. Or is it Kano where Gov. Ganduje and Senator Kwankwaso have formed rival gang of supporters bent on destroying the peace of the state? The list is endless.

 Nigerians are now wondering really if there is a difference between six and half a dozen. How does the APC of today differ from the PDP they replaced? Is it any better under this administration? Can a party incapable of running its affairs actually govern? That answer can be found in the myriad of problems currently confronting the nation. From the incessant fuel ques, to the farmers herdsmen debacle. Or is it the high cost of food stuffs in the market? And more recently, another set of school girls were taken captive by the Boko Haram terrorist, a group "already decimated" according to the military. And it seems little or nothing is being done to recover them. 

,President Muhammadu Buhari was elected by millions of Nigerians for a reason. And if the party wishes to remain in power after the 2019 general elections, then it should go back to basics and put its house in order. Otherwise, Nigerians will not hesitate to show them the red card.