It is symptomatic of the times such as now to read of all kinds of political calculations, permutations and transpositions as the 2003 elections draw closer and closer. There are some of such calculations that are interesting, while some of the transubstantiations are quite amusing. Others are unrealistic and many are merely figments of some people's political imaginations and fantasies.
One cannot continue to ignore some articles that insinuate all kinds of erroneous and blatantly misleading implications about the emergence of the All Nigeria Peoples Party's presidential candidate. I have also observed some intriguing insinuations about my role in the pursuit of that ticket, including some posters joining me with a good friend of mine, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi in the same presidential ticket as president and vice presidential candidates.
My intervention in party politics carries a very clear purpose and a mission that derives its force from a noble vision. A vision of good governance, public transparency, accountability, empowerment of the ordinary people, elevation and respect of the public trust, reorientation of the entire socio-political system and the enthronement of a culture of a prompt delivery of public security, protection of life and property amid other social services, while pursuing the public good. And none of these goals and aspirations and many others like them is realistic without the true supervision of the rule of law. I am also in politics to build bridges: bridges between the North and the South; bridges among southerners; bridges between professionals and politicians; bridges among workers, students, market women and all classes of people in our country.
As I have always said, and now it clearly bears repetition, for me politics is not a do or die affair. What I am interested in doing is to bring together and into the act of governance at the center, people who have the commitment to serve, who have ideas that would help the nation and the energy to realise targets. I am the voice of change in our public life saying time is ripe to let managers run the show. Nigeria has a retinue of brilliant minds at home and all over the world, many of who are making the waves in different fields of endeavours. I am trying to bring such people together to work on the problems of our great country. Traditional politicians have failed us and their time and politics is up. We need people who are not going to depend on the public coffers for their high-heeled lifestyle. We need people whose integrity is unstained, we need credible people whose past records speaks of their ability, honesty of purpose and devotion to duty.
If this is then the case, I cannot and will not become just another pawn in a game of political chessboard. For me the duty that calls is far higher than such fancies. I am either in it to give back all of my own expertise, managerial, business and financial acumen, or I am not in at all. Those who, in muted voices are linking me with such designs as to be some decoy for other interests cannot be farther from reality. My intentions are far too serious and my resolve far too deep. I belong to the new generation of leaders who are in politics for real and not in politics to play games.
In 1998 and 1999 during the military transition programme, my party APP invited me to be a presidential candidate. I took the offer, but only relinquished it in order for the APP-AD alliance to sail through. I was one of the leading brains behind the idea of the alliance. I felt we needed a bridge between the North and the South so as to have a truly national candidate stand the election in 1999. And it worked. We got both my party APP, and the AD to work together and present a singular presidential ticket.
Also in 1998/99, there were reported claims in the press that certain northern leaders, mainly former military leaders were arranging to have a former military head of State drafted into the presidential race. It turned out that former head of state won PDP's nomination and eventually became president. Everyone then knew that although the General hails from southwest, but he was not the choice of that section of the country for the presidential election. How then can it be said that the General is the candidate of the southwest? In the last presidential election the General did not get the support of the southwest. Our own candidate in the APP-AD did. That is the best indication to date of the disposition of the people of the southwest. The General was chosen and installed president without the input and support of the southwest. So, the General's term of 1999-2003 should be regarded, at best, a transitional period and the southwest is yet to have its own due term.
It is true that a lot of water has passed under the bridge since. But those who are discerning enough know that the agenda of the General is a different agenda from that which the APP-AD alliance represented and for which the people voted massively in that section of the country. My own present attempt is to carry on that agenda, refined and refreshed with bright new ones to be articulated soon.
I am seeking and pursuing a repeat of that APP-AD alliance. It is still the best form of political cooperation between the North and South in recent Nigerian history. It is still the best political alliance that surely has great potential. It is about the best hope for Nigeria's continued unity. I have since resumed talking with leaders of both parties and sections and we shall explore the chances of that alliance again.
But a report that Alhaji Shinkafi and I are going to be on the same presidential ticket is too premature. It is putting the cart before the horse. Alhaji Shinkafi is my good friend, but we are yet to reach such conclusions. We have not even been discussing such matters. Such posters are therefore unauthorized and those behind it are advised to desist from circulating such falsehood even if they mean.
Similarly, speculations that my party, ANPP would zone the presidency to one section or another have also been rife. As a member in good standing and the chair of the board of trustees, I know of no such decision to zone the presidency to any particular section. It is becoming more and more noticeable that our party is the party to watch in the 2003 presidential election and therefore such speculations are understandable. But the party remains open and should be to presidential aspirants from all over the country. For instance, the ANPP southwest zone is interested and looking forward to an open and level playing field as our great party moves to pick a presidential flagbearer.
As for me, the race is not about where the candidate is coming from, but what he/she brings to the table. I am putting myself out, standing for what I believe, offering new ideas, forging new alliances among all progressive and willing political forces in the country, and bringing hope to the Nigerian people. And in that resolve, if after my consultations I decide to run, by God's grace I will run and run to win. The powers that be would like to stop me and keep the status quo intact. They can try, but no one can stop me. It is a goal that I have set for myself and a service that I am willing to render.
So help me God
Chief Harry Ayoade Akande,
Agbaoye of Ibadan,
Chairman ANPP board of trustees.
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