Politics of power shift
By Idris Bala
politics or democracy can not be said to be practiced the same in Nigeria as in other parts of the world. In Nigeria, democracy has turned to be something else rather than its true meaning of what the people want.
A new concept of ‘power shift’ has emerged in Nigerian politics. In this new concept in Nigeria, power can now shift from the south-west to the south-south, south-east or to the north-Central or north-North, north-east or north-west whatever way or form it takes. This is to allow the presidency position or government to move to a particular section of the geo-political zones of the country. In it, it allows a period of grace to a part of the country to rule.
Now, it has even gone further to indicate that some states are also agitating for power shift from one particular area or part to another. With this in place, the question is, are we really democratizing or dividing ourselves due to selfish aims and aspirations? if no bi me no one else and I have to be somebody by all means is a syndrome which is impacting negatively on the progress of Nigerian democracy.
Even in some local government areas, some sections are calling for power to shift to their own locality or section, a gesture which is very irrational and undemocratic. Politics indeed, is just like selling of wears or goods. If your goods or merchandise is good or qualitative and the price is reasonable or affordable people will come and buy.
In a market square, every seller offers his stock for sale in the open while buyers offer their bid, and the law of buying and selling operates. In democracy, politicians sell their ideology and it is left for the electorate to vote people of their choice. restriction to areas where candidates will emerge in politics is never done any where in the history of politics in the world.
It makes me feel as if politicians have turned Nigerians to ridicule whenever I hear of power shift. instead of unity, credibility, honesty and integrity to be the yardstick or watch words for any leadership post or position in this country of ours - endowed with vast economic potential yet untapped, we are grumbling and running helter skelter echoing power shift.
Politics in Nigeria has turned to be a do or die affair. Political killings of innocent people are all over the country. Indeed, such innocent people are being massacred, intimidated, maligned and they face all other forms of human degradation.
We were told by learned Islamic scholars that Holy Prophet of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) makes it clear that “Any body who comes out and seeks your favour to elect him, do not elect him.” As such a good leader does not seek to be elected. In fact, a good leader will not ask you to elect him for any post or position. leadership is a burden and its magnitude is very broad, enormous and difficult. Today, people are stumbling on one another, abusing, blackmailing, killing, showering money to seek for political favour or nomination to be elected.
Now the question is, is it the wealth of Nigeria that has turned our sycophants and easy money politicians to devise ways of trying to have support of the masses that they thought of bringing out the concept of power shift in democracy in Nigeria? Another one is, what is the rationale behind power shift? if the concept is accepted, does that mean whatever that glitters is gold? does it mean that the wealth of the nation will be moved entirely to the part or section of the country governing the nation? or does it mean that all political offices in the country will be run by those from that section?
I want to ask again, is democracy only to be exercised by the section seeking the power, while the other sections of the country fold their arms and watch until when their turn to rule the nation comes? Is it democracy Nigeria is practicing (rule by the majority) or democrazy? Why should power shift democrazy be the type of democracy for Nigeria?
The president’s office belongs to every part of this country. Therefore, the whole country should be seen as a constituency of any incumbent president and not a section of the country. When Nigeria was seeking her independence from Britain, the whole sections of the country were represented and no section was left behind. Better to put it, we collectively fought for our independence. Why then can not we unite ourselves to move this nation forward and fight corruption, poverty, unemployment and other social vices in our midst together rather than fighting ourselves for selfish ends?
It is a shame for Nigerians in Diaspora to face their friends and colleagues and talk about other countries political setting. Why? Because our country lacks foresight and common sense. Nigeria as the giant of Africa with all her intellectuals, human and material resources is nothing but a country drifting in chaos and confusion. Corruption has deeply cut into the flesh of the country. Honestly, healing of the wound will take long time and cooperation of everyone of us will be needed. The continued existence of Nigeria as one entity is never the wishes of our present misguided and political jobbers, sycophants and mischief leaders but the ultimate will of God Almighty.
Therefore, I must conclude by reaffirming that this type of politics is not a development but underdevelopment. Until the trend is changed, nothing good will come out of it but chaos. We hope that with the nomination of Yar’Adu’a in PDP and Buhari in ANPP, this trend will automatically be changed to competent candidate only not playing sectional politics as it is being perpetuated.

Idris Bala resides in Kano.