“Rain does not fall on one roof alone”. The consequences of getting the wrong party leadership are dire as adversity does not discriminate. It comes to everyone at some point. Political parties can no longer afford to have a frail party leadership because, in reality, the consequences tell on us all, irrespective of whether you are a party official or among the masses.
By Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah
“Rain does not fall on one roof alone”
Elected party officials are not destiny, but their responsibility and sense of duty towards the electorate would play an important role in defining the landscape of Nigerian politics.
Many Nigerians are concerned about the 2023 general elections and its ability to change the fortunes of the country for the better.
Across the globe, the party leadership command is changing substantially over the last couple of years- electorates are getting more involved in who leads their various political parties and the impact it plays on the masses.
Pedigree, commitment, transparency, responsibility, pro-activeness and empathy with the general public are growing concerns the electorate has on internal party leadership.
The ruling party, the APC has kick-started its national congress and hopes to present a masterstroke that would lead the party into a resounding victory across the 36 States of the federation and Abuja inclusive.
As party officials are busy with the nitty-gritty of a rigorous process that would usher in these new party leaders so also are the electorates hoping to see genuine changes that would reflect their current expectations.
“Rain does not fall on one roof alone”. The consequences of getting the wrong party leadership are dire as adversity does not discriminate. It comes to everyone at some point. Political parties can no longer afford to have a frail party leadership because, in reality, the consequences tell on us all, irrespective of whether you are a party official or among the masses.
With less than two months before the main Congress Day to elect the national chairman, here is a look at the story behind the rising profile of Saliu Mustapha the masterstroke APC may likely present to Nigerians as their next party national chairman.
Who is Saliu Mustapha?
Mustapha was born on September 25, 1972, in Ilorin, Kwara state, a renowned philanthropist and the current Turaki of Ilorin.
Mustapha is a core Buharist and was a key member of the Buhari Presidential Campaigns from 2003 to 2019. His political career spans over two decades and has seen him held various leadership roles right from his days at the ANPP.
As deputy National Charman of CPC, he was very key in the party’s string of successes and was instrumental in the amalgamation of the CPC and other legacy parties that formed today’s APC.
With a strong network across the 36 States, APC party members have started discussing his likely emergence by even a consensus as a reality in the making.
Seen as extremely focused and a determined administrator, key stakeholders rate his sense of judgement above his other contestants for the national chairmanship seat.
Some key issues to be tabled and considered are arrogance, temperament and negotiating skills. APC party members across the 36 States of the Federation are clamouring for a stable and humble national chairman that would make sure the party goes into the general elections as one big family.
Here was how an APC stakeholder described the perfect chairman the
party seeks…
“Nigeria as a Nation needs a reset on so many issues and policies that can help shape the country better, only a committed and humble party executive can bring about these changes we seek, the ability to listen to each aggrieving party member and the capacity to marry these differences to the advantage of the party and the interest of the masses at large is what counts. Only a good party leadership can provide the right candidates for elective offices.
We must have party leaders that can listen attentively and proffer solutions instead of creating more divisiveness amongst party members, no political party can deliver the dividends of democracy if its house is not in order, you cannot give what you don’t have, and if we must be fair to ourselves only humility brings about such qualities in a leader.”
Loyalty to the party is also a strong factor to be considered and here, Saliu Mustapha towers to high heavens, his penchant to stick with the progressive forces no matter the odds stands him apart. Over the years he has offered his 100% support to the APC and his allegiance to the Kwara State chapter has been unwavering.
Saliu Mustapha has a rich story amongst APC party members and his current upswing in support is a result of his huge fan base that cuts across the major stakeholders and members of the party.
Let us keep our fingers crossed while we daily x-ray the intrigues behind the scene as the APC which happens to be the biggest political party in Africa dots the i’s and crosses the t’s.
What are the expectations and the reality? Would Saliu Mustapha just be the Masterstroke the APC plans to unveil as its next National Chairman?
Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah writes in from Abuja.