By Franc Utoo
“When truth and friendship are in conflict, choose truth”
~Aristotle
Civilised and true democracy is one that permits vibrant opposition and a strong civil society. In Nigeria, for instance, if the PDP was very effective as an opposition, the recent protests may not have happened because the party must have taken shots at the ruling party on the same issues raised by the protesters.
Therefore, it is an achievement of any ruling party to ensure that there’s an effectual opposition to make it sit up to their promises.
A sinister phenomenon emerges, where moles within a political party secretly support their opponents in power, deliberately weakening their own party from within. This clandestine strategy undermines the very fabric of democracy.
The mole effect is a cancer that spreads through the political ranks, as individuals prioritize personal gain over party loyalty. These saboteurs infiltrate key positions, gathering intel and manipulating decisions to favor the opposing party. Their covert operations erode trust among party members, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia.
We have seen a critical example of this mole effect in Nigeria in the 2023 general election where the G-5 Governors stood against the candidate(s) of their own party. Their reason? (forget all the grammar & the afterthoughts) – perpetuation of SELFISH AGGRANDIZEMENT!
Even though the mole effect is not restricted to Nigerian politics, other countries practice theirs with civility and consequences. For instance, when Barack Obama of the Democratic party contested in 2008 and 2012, he got the support of prominent Republicans like Colin Powell, Chuck Hagel, Susan Eisenhower, et al.
Currently, Republican nominee, Donald Trump, has the support of some Democrats like Congressmen Cedrick Richmond and Hank Johnson Jr, and David Rubin, et al.
However, a common denominator of the American democratic process is that, these guys faced criticism and backlash from party members; exclusion from party leadership positions or committees; reduced influence within the party structure, and some who still continued to be involved in party politics do so with a more nuanced or moderate stance.
Compared this with the stand of the so-called G-5 of the PDP in Nigeria. They have declared support for President Bola Tinubu of the APC for a 2027 ambition which he has not yet declared. No APC group, not even the BATified have so far taken this position!
Yes, Tinubu is our President and needs our support. Opposition party figures, however, must excuse themselves from their party activities to work for him. That’s decency!
It is, therefore, sinister that while the G-5 and their allies in Benue have taken that stand, they still want to take charge of the full activities of the PDP in the State. Such awkwardness!
The consequences of this sort of sinister acts are devastating:
~ Weakened opposition: By sabotaging their own party, moles render the opposition ineffective, allowing the ruling party to dominate unchecked.
~ Erosion of democratic values: The mole effect undermines the principles of democracy, where a healthy opposition is crucial for accountability and good governance.
~ Voter disillusionment: As parties continue to battle and tear themselves within, it leads to voters apathy and disengagement.
Conclusively, having strong and faithful political party structures and leaders, is one vital factor to strengthening our democracy. And with a strong democracy, Nigeria will become better. Therefore, it is imperative to root out the mole effect and restore the integrity of our democratic institutions. The future of democracy depends on vibrant opposition, among others.
“The silence of good people is more destructive than the words and acts of bad people”
~Martin Luther King Jr.
Franc Utoo, Esq. KofC
(Retired politician)
University of Central OklahomaAugust 8, 2024.
