The raging differences between the duo of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Senator Bukola Saraki may bring a catastrophic end to the APC if the flame of rivalry between them is not quickly doused. The contributions of the two party chieftains to the success of the party in the last election were enormous.
Tinubu led a major bloc to partner with others which culminated in the formation of the APC. Saraki joined hands with the renegades of the PDP already in the fold. This helped immensely in cementing the party’s victory. The combined efforts of these gladiators was key to the election victories of the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari. The teachings of life is that we are mirrors of one another and no one is an island.
But Saraki should not have disrespected his party's leader and main builder of the party so openly.
Obasanjo said that the true force which propels our endless political disputes, our constant struggles for political advantage, is often not our burning concern for democracy; it is often our dedication to the principle of the rule of law. Majority of APC supporters across the world frowned at the callousness of Senator Saraki in his apparent hunger for power that resulted in back stabbing his party men and leaders to enable him emerge as the number three citizen. His calculation was beyond his party; he literarily dined with the devil, neglected associates and sacrificed discipline. At the end, the deed was done and he successfully installed a member of the opposition party as deputy, what a ruthless ambition?
Nevertheless, even though, Senator Saraki might have been encouraged by the party’s adversaries, it is time to give peace a chance towards attaining common goals of change. I keep thinking, we teach children to use dialogue to solve their disputes; we teach them not to hit and fight or bite. We teach them to embrace one another to seetle scores, but look at what adults are doing, it is absurd. The comments of Asiwaju Tinubu over the “news” published by one of the country’s tabloids that the duo were planning to derail President Muhammadu Buhari should not be taken lightly. His position is well known and I believe he has the support of the majority, but his continuous acrimony with his party men might be costly.
What APC lacks is communication; if there is no communication then there is no respect..... If there is no compassion, then there is no empathy. If there is no empathy, then there is no forgiveness. If there is no forgiveness then there is no kindness. If there is no kindness, then there is no honesty. If there is no honesty, then love is lacking.
Continuous existence of polarisation in the party will widen the gulf and create barriers. Barriers breed factions which could be challenging, leading to break-up or collapse of the party. The party can only win in an atmosphere of unity.
No matter the disagreements over positions that had existed between Asiwaju Tinubu and Saraki, even though bitter in nature, the purposes and goals for which they fought are clearly understood.
Conflict can and should be handled constructively; when it has the potential to benefit those involved in the relationships. Conflict avoidance is not the hallmark of a good relationship. On the contrary, it is a symptom of serious problems arising from poor communication. The time to act fast to resolve this conflict is now. The energetic crocodile was once a delicate egg.
Party leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari should not close their eyes; rather, they should strategise to unify these change agents before they wreck irreparable havoc on the party’s structure.
by Jacob Ogunseye
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