Only harlots jump from man to man —Nwanyanwu

Immediate past national chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, sheds light on the predicament of the opposition in the present political dispensation and moves to change the status quo. KUNLE ODEREMI brings some excerpts:

A primary function of the opposition in a plural political system, as it exists in Nigeria today, is to act as checks and balances towards ensuring good governance. But, in the last two years, the opposition seems to have been in a shambles. What is your take on this?

It is true there has been no genuine and serious opposition in the last few years to challenge the status quo. But one thing I can assure Nigerians is that on Monday (tomorrow), we are going to unveil the real and proper opposition party. It is going to redefine the shape and form of politics in the country.  It is a mega party that promises to make so much difference as opposed to what we have seen since 2015.

So, your party will be part of the Advanced Democratic Party (ADPN), believed to associated with aggrieved members of the PDP whose internal rumbles have denied the opportunity of acting as main opposition?

Those are sidekicks. We won’t be a chip off the old blocks, because we want to restore sanity to the political space and dignity to Nigerians.

Having led the Labour Party (LP) for 10 years as national chairman, it is suggestive that the new mega party could have a lot of semblance with the LP?

This is a better organised party, because we have taken into account all the shortcomings in our democratic process and we have taken care of them all. The party is particularly for the youth and women. Like I said, the process will be different from what has been in place.

But is the party likely to draw most of its members from the APC, APGA, PDP and other parties in the country?

The Constitution of the country stipulates that once you are 18 years, you are free to join whatsoever party you wish to join. We are not going to stop anybody because the process will be transparent and based on the guidelines on membership. We will ensure internal democracy, as the process will be totally transparent unlike what characterised the APC chairmanship primaries in Lagos last week, where the members engaged in a fight because of imposition of candidates. Under the new party, every member will be a delegate; there will be no selection; no imposition. What you have now is that a clique will just write names of anointed candidates and preferred delegates, thereby depriving the main owners of party the opportunity to elect their candidates. That means as a bona fide party member, you are not allowed the right of choice at all. That is what has brought us to the current predicament. We are ready and prepared to change such undemocratic practice. The new mega party is giving 30 per cent allocation and representation to women in all activities and contests. We have given 25 per cent representation to the youth, and five per cent to the physically challenged. All these are in the constitution. It is a contract with the people and we are bound by the terms. The people are going to hold the party liable to what you committed yourself to.  So, it is a deviation from what you have in the past and now. A lot of the youth and women are interested in the party because we are determined and have resolved to return the party system and administration to them (the youth and women).

You said the mega party will be different from what we have in the past. Is it going to be in terms of ideology and manifesto?

The ideology will be quite different; it will be a social democratic party. It will be different from what we are seeing now. You are aware that I have been the head of a political party for 10 years. We have put our experiences together, especially on why things have not been working. We have encapsulated all these into a package that will work and thrive, unlike what we have now.

What is the name of the party?

The name is still under wrap.

You mean, it will be called the Social Democratic Party?

I said the ideology of the party is social democratic. It is not going to be the social democratic party; there is a party bearing that name and we are not part of them or any other one. By the time we come out, people will be enthralled and would want to be a part and parcel of the arrangement.

What difference is the party going to make, in view of the fact that you are not going to recruit people from the moon, sun and other countries to come and be members of the party?

Nigerians are yearning for real and proper change. They believe with their experience in the last two years that they were given a fake and dud cheque, which they cannot take to the bank. They are looking for a political party that parades honest and committed patriotic Nigerians that will deliver good cheques and give them value for their vote. That is what we stand for.

But the majority of your members are going to be from the existing main parties like the APC, PDP, and Labour and APGA?

The political space in Nigeria is very wide. Party members constitute only five per cent of the population of eligible Nigerians.  So, there are many people out there who are professionals that have not captured by the political parties as their members. We are looking for them; we are going to give them that the ample opportunity to have a say in the political system of the country. It is not a party for the ‘moneybags. In America, for instance, there are many families whose relations have been members of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party for more than 100 years. They have been consistent and principled on the issue of party affiliation. That is the kind of political culture and discipline we are bringing in now, not all this political prostitution and flirtation we are seeing among charlatans. Look at the shameful way people who rose to high elective positions are jumping from one party to another, as if they are harlots jumping from one man to another.

They don’t believe in anything meaningful and progressive. They can’t endure hunger. It is embarrassing to see even those that were governors, senators and others at the highest political offices jumping from one party to another. What do they want? Of course, they are jumping into a place that is already a disaster, to protect and cover their fraudulent acts while in office.

How do you mean that they are jumping into a party that is a disaster?

The APC has become a party that once you are accused of corruption or you are afraid they are going to pick you up, you just join them for protection. The APC has not fared well. The party and its leaders have failed in all material particular. They have not delivered on their promises. Why will you go and board an aircraft when you know that it will eventually crash? What kind of mentality is it, that after you have been told that the engine of the aircraft is faulty, you still boarded it?