POLITICAL observers and commentators have expressed concern about the recent developments in the political scene, especially in the National Assembly.
They observed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could not easily pick floor functionaries that are constitutionally assigned to the party.
They opine that the inability to do that is already a public knowledge as the elected lawmakers agitated for the selection of a leader of their choice.
But analysts recall that party supremacy was the order of the day during the first and second republics.
They recall that Sir Ahmadu Bello preferred to remain the leader of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and Premier of Northern Region instead of becoming the prime minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They note further that in the First Republic, Bello ought to have become the prime minister because his party won the majority seats in the parliament but he conceded it to Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Deputy Leader of the party.
Also in the Second Republic, they observe that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was both the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the party’s presidential candidate in the 1979 general elections.
They, however, point out that Awolowo justified such arrangement by saying that while he was the party chairman, he was “just an applicant’’ for the presidency.
They say “the two frontline politicians stuck to party positions because at that time, no one dared challenge party directives, while the parties dictated the momentum of political processes.
“There was no struggle for supremacy between elected political office holders and party leaders because the lines of duty were clearly defined and conscientiously followed.’’
Chief Onyeso Nwachukwu, the Chief Whip of the defunct Eastern House of Assembly, opined that contrary to the previous laudable political arrangements the “elected political office holders now call the shots.’’
He attributed the crisis rocking most of the parties to this development and called for a return to the era of party supremacy and politics of ideology.
He said returning to party supremacy would aid the efforts of those in authority to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizens.
Nwachukwu also expressed concern about the high level of corruption and the absence of issue-based politics in the country.
“During our time, we practised issue-based politics and we were in a hurry to develop our different regions; everybody was the monitor of himself.
“In fact, nobody knew the language of corruption; it was unheard of and there was no way one could get corrupt.
“Nowadays, everything has gone wrong and no one cares about what the other person does; the way of life is now the survival of the fittest,’’ Nwachukwu said.
Sharing similar sentiments, Prof. Okey Okoh, a professor of law, in a publication entitled: “Legislators and the Challenge of Party Supremacy,’’ stressed the importance of party supremacy.
He noted that party leaders and elected officers were equal partners who should work together for the success of their party at the polls.
“The main duties of party leaders are to broaden the party’s support base and lead the party to victory at the polls.
“The rights of party members and the dictates of democracy must be paramount in all their dealings.
“Party leaders must create conditions for the party’s success and viability by observing democratic values, steering the party away from trouble and making members to feel vested in the party,’’ Okoh stated.
Observers note that it is worrisome that although most political actors in the National Assembly know the cause of the crisis, they claim to be in the know of what party supremacy is all about.
They note that Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara had, on many occasions, expressed loyalty to the supremacy of APC.
They quote Dogara, who was at the centre of the controversy in the House of Representatives, as saying that he believes in party supremacy but it must be anchored on the people who are sovereign.
“It is my deepest conviction as a student of democracy; I know that democracy is loosely defined as government of the people by the people and for the people.
“Absolute supremacy must be anchored on the sovereignty of our people because if we don’t pursue the interest of our people, you can guarantee the fact that sooner than later there may be no APC.
“So, the people must be at the centre of whatever policy we formulate, otherwise the people will rebel against us and we don’t pray for such,’’ they quote him as saying.
In the same vein, Saraki supported this viewpoint when state chairmen of the APC paid him a courtesy call recently in Abuja.
These explanations notwithstanding, Alhaji Umar Doguwa, the Chairman of APC in Kano State who led the group, explained what party supremacy was all about and urged Saraki to respect it to enjoy support.
“We implore you to, as a matter of urgency, uphold the supremacy of our party and not just to uphold it, preach to others to also uphold the supremacy of our party,’’ Doguwa said.
Responding to Doguwa’s advice, Saraki assured the states party chairmen of his commitment to the party.
“We will leave up to expectations of Nigerians from us; we shall deliver on the promises made and surely demonstrate our commitment to the party by not abandoning it in anyway,’’ he said.
But Dr Olukayode Ajulo, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, insist that when people speak about party supremacy, there should be a divide.
“There should be a line where party supremacy should be drawn; party supremacy should not be taken to National Assembly.
“Imagine a party writing to the senate president on who should emerge as principal officers, that can be discussed at the party caucus level,’’ he noted
Sharing similar sentiments, Prof. Jonah Onuoha, the Head of Department, Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) agreed with Ajulo, insisting that party supremacy should be properly defined.
“Party supremacy does not end in obeying party rules but includes implementing its manifesto by elected officers, especially the governors.’’
Onuoha, however, stressed that manifesto as the guideline of the party must be obeyed by elected members, especially governors in carry out the part’s programmes and activities.
“For instance, if APC manifesto as the ruling party says free healthcare for children and the aged, any APC governor that fails to implement it has not subjected the governance in such state to party supremacy.
“Such governor should be sanctioned for working against the guidelines of the party.
“Party supremacy means the party is supreme and in control in everything that concerns the party; its rules, manifesto, appointments, discipline and directives to members,’’ he said.
He commended the recent comment of President Muhammadu Buhari that party members should subject themselves to party supremacy.
Onuoha noted that unless party members, especially the elected ones subject themselves to party supremacy, the crisis rocking the ruling party would not end.