Beyond APC’s Glimmers of Numerous Colours By Odiawa Ai

A great deal right now rests on the shoulders of the South West geo-political zone, and its leadership is not negligent of this reality. As a cosmopolitan region with some degree of political sophistication, one piece of the nation has consistently assumed a significant role in the nation’s rich political history.

Even more enlightening as of now in the existence of the country, is that it is the zone, where the incumbent president, Bola Tinubu, comes from. It is, in any case, a fragile equilibrium dealing with her political significance as well as her unavoidable support for one of her own, the President of Nigeria.

It was against this backdrop that last weekend’s regional assembly by the All Progressives Congress (APC) members got its spot in the new thinking for a superior region and nation.

Stomping the meeting hall with glimmers of splendid colours that exemplified regional unity and cohesion, the South-west could have set a new plan in party politics and management.

Chairman of the regional assembly for APC and Lagos State Lead Representative, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu appeared to figure out the heaviness of the task on all fours and did not disappoint anyone either.

As it turns out, in his case, aside from planning exercises of the region, he is likewise the Lead Representative of the president’s home state. This, however, makes his job fascinating. It is certainly not an enviable one either.

Be that as it may, the Lagos Lead Representative appeared to be capable. The manner that he and his team could concoct an idea that out of nowhere birthed the somewhat reunion of the political leadership of the zone was not a mean accomplishment.

Assembled in an expansive hall at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, were over 800 people. They went from local government administrators to state assembly members, their national assembly counterparts, lead representatives, as well as all many other individuals who filled various offices.

With apparent wistfulness penetrating the hall, encapsulated by the close unending banter from individuals, who had not seen each other in a long time, and enclosed by many shades of lovely colours, the gathering offered more than it was imagined for and indeed, worth the hour of everyone.

“As a key part of the Nigerian State, the Southwest is blessed with immense potential to lead the country towards prosperity,” Sanwo-Olu expressed as he began to welcome people to the gathering.

“I warmly welcome you to this significant gathering, where we come together as one family to explore ways to work more closely and effectively for the benefit of our people, our region, and our nation.

“Today presents an opportunity for us to share ideas and agree on strategies to take the Southwest to greater heights. We have abundant human and natural resources, exceptional creativity and intellectual strength, as well as a rich cultural heritage.

“These are the unique assets we can harness to move our region forward and give Nigeria a respected place in the global community,” he said.

As indicated by him, “This meeting is not only an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a region but also to reignite hope and chart a course for a better Nigeria – one where poverty and lack are things of the past.

“As a people bound by common values of integrity and respect, we are in a unique position to change Nigeria’s fortunes. The Southwest has always been the heartbeat of this nation, recognized as the pacesetters in innovation and progress.”

To place this in context, he recalled that, “Our past leaders earned this pride of place through their visionary leadership. They built Africa’s first television station (WNTV), West Africa’s first skyscraper (Cocoa House), and Nigeria’s first stadium (Liberty Stadium), all through disciplined management and strategic investment in education and agriculture.

“They banished ignorance and poverty from our region, instilling values of integrity and respect, which gave rise to the 'Omoluabi' ethos, the hallmark of honesty and dignity that has shaped our identity.”

This was where it began to get fascinating. The poser here: “So, where did we lose our way? At what point did farming become a job we looked down on? How did our land, once rich in opportunity, produce beggars despite its vast potential?

“How did our youth turn into street urchins, kidnappers, and fraudsters? The truth is, we have all fallen short. But today, we have the chance to address these failings, retrace our steps, and rebuild our values.”

Sanwo-Olu, definitely, gave an astounding speech that before long set the rhythm for serious considerations on the eventual fate of the region. The conversations began very quickly.

In any case, in a full burst, former Lead Representative of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, finally set the stage ablaze through his keynote address.

He did not give room for the inspiration spurred by Sanwo-Olu to cool off prior to riding on the moment.

Setting bricks on the foundation laid by the Lagos state Lead Representative, Fayemi noted that, “We in the South West wing of our party constitute an important pillar of the APC. I warmly salute and commend the decision to convene this zonal assembly of our party leaders and faithful for various reasons.”

As a foundation member, and one of the numerous actors, who worked to assist create the APC out of an alliance of similar minded parties and actors united by a progressive and forward-looking obligation to national unity and transformation, Fayemi was proud of the zeal with which the units in the South West accepted the party’s agenda for change and renewal when it was announced to them.

After reeling off a few of the party's accomplishments, since it came on stream in 2015, he likewise harped on a few of the ongoing difficulties that have either impeded the party or upset a few of her noble plans and as well hindered a few of the additions listed.

“Not least among these challenges is the security situation in the country, a problem we inherited and which has continued to be a source of immense worry for all Nigerians, and rightly so. Understandably, the security question remains a topmost priority for President Tinubu.

“Added to this are adverse domestic pressures and external shocks on the economy that have exacerbated the cost of living, and affected our quest to massively dent unemployment, especially as it affects the teeming population of young people.

“We are also confronted with the task of stabilizing the exchange rate of our national currency even as concerted efforts are being made to erode the parallel market, increase the capital budget in our national expenditure profile, and meet our various international obligations.

“These are not problems that are easy to tackle, especially as the roots of many of them date back to the locust years of the PDP, and resolving them requires time, patience, and understanding.

“It is correct that as the ruling party, we must confront them frontally without forgetting that we also owe a duty to explain our remedial and reform measures with all the empathy and humility that we can muster,” he explained.

Pleased with the route the APC had taken since it came into existence, Fayemi said, “We cannot afford to rest on our laurels as a party or be complacent about anything. It is imperative that we openly and honestly acknowledge current challenges and develop a coherent and comprehensive plan that can enable us to confront them.

“This we must do by resolutely learning lessons of experience. We should also be ready to mobilize ourselves for the urgent and necessary task of rebuilding the hope of our compatriots both in Project Nigeria and in our ability as a party committed to leading the charge against underdevelopment, disunity, and insecurity.

“Without being defensive or unduly apologetic, we must dig deep to find that combination of humility, a sense of public service, an uncommon courage, and a tenacity of purpose to drive a shared national vision. These qualities served us so well in 2015 to enable us to write an important new chapter in our national electoral history. They can and will serve us well again if we re-commit to them.”

Dazzled by the push and turn-out at the gathering, President Tinubu, who said his eyes were set on the future generations and not future elections, covered the conversations in an official design.

The president made sense of the fact that the changes being embraced by his administration could have exposed the party to far reaching criticisms, but guaranteed the APC faithful that the “tough” decisions would at long last set the nation on the path towards prosperity.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the president recognized the fortitude being displayed to his government in the troublesome times and stressed that his focus was not on the next political race, but on improving the lives of Nigerians and to hand over a prosperous nation to the next generation.

“We acknowledge that our decisions have been tough, but they needed to be taken. The gains are at the end of the tunnel. That time will come when we will all be happy and thank our government for taking those decisions.

“Right now, I am not thinking of the next election but about the next generation. This is why we are implementing reforms that are long overdue. This is the hallmark of a true leader.”

Tinubu vowed to give serious thoughts to the issues raised at the forum and further promised to make the party more united to accomplish its programmes.

A former Lead Representative of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, made public that the South West must support Tinubu’s administration unequivocally, regardless the price to be paid.

Osoba cautioned that regardless of the ill sentiments anyone could have against the person of the president or his administration, he should be supported not solely to run out his initial tenure in office but likewise to secure a second tenure.

The veteran journalist revealed that Tinubu was the first president from the progressive fold and, as such, couldn't bear to come up short.

“We cannot and should not allow anyone to derail our democracy under Tinubu,” he demanded, adding that no funds were left in the national treasury for subsidy when Tinubu took office.

South West Zonal chairman of the APC, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, said the party remained with the president for his boldness to address the ailment in the nation. He said the caucus meeting was a transition to determine intra party crises and conflicts tearing members apart.

On his part, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said the caucus forum was endorsed by the party national leadership to make room for a steady point of interaction between elected members of the party and officials regulating the affairs of the party.

He revealed that similar meetings would take place in other regions in order to stir more support for APC and its administration.

The idea was no doubt a decent one and should be checked on for manageability. As a matter of fact, the following phase might be to commence a similar gathering at the senatorial levels and progressively build up to the states prior to showing up at the regional level for an expanded and more extravagant consultation.

Much as the outing was by and large pronounced successful by a greater part of the individuals, who attended and those who observed from the outside, the ruling party must continue to tell the truth to itself and the government, away from the goal of seeking to clutch power.

Tragically, for an idea that was generally embraced across the South West and attended by political echelons of the region because of its originality and progressive aims, Sanwo-Olu’s apparently petty accomplices in the state assembly, led by the Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, boycotted the event. On the off chance that this is certainly not an undeniable childish disposition, what else might it at any point be?

While the Lagos lawmakers purportedly claimed not to have got an invitation to the event, the state, on the other hand, was said to have record of the invitations extended to them with lucidity of contemplations and agenda.

Expectedly, this generally happens when individuals undeserving of any offices at all wind up in positions bigger than their dreams and intellectual credentials. They are unable to distinguish politics from issues and genuine governance, but quick to descend into the gutters at the slightest opportunity.

It is only hoped that this maiden South West Assembly would not wind up an oddball practice, but a reasonable drive that would help the party and region advance its politics and leadership.