CRS 2015: CONSENSUS CANDIDATE OR THE 10 COMMANDMENTS? It is interesting and funny to know that till this moment nobody knows who will take over from His Excellency in 2015? But it appears the administration knows directly or indirectly who shall be the Governor of the state in 2015? There is a political logjam about to take place in fulfillment of the 10 commandments. It was like a big gamble and a joke to many of us when Senator Imoke the Cross River State Governor released the 10 commandments some months ago as a guideline to 2015. What is about to happen in a couple months will no longer be news after all, to most of us that have been following the sequence of political events in the state. We understand that the whole show of 2015 is about to be reduced to a political concept called ‘’Consensus Candidate’’ This is the trouble now, though none of us is against a consensus candidate to emerge from the Northern Senatorial district. But what is going to be the yardstick, criteria and measurement to be applied in this process? Sorry to say is this a government affair or the people’s affair? How did we arrive at the 10 commandments, what is the relationship of the 10 commandments to the emergence of a consensus candidate? Ordinarily we may begin to ask what consensus means to the people of the Northern Senatorial District and Cross River State in 2015. Consensus is a Latin word for agreement, accordance, unanimity and a feeling for people to accept to work together. Simply defined consensus is a process of decision making that seeks to enforce a widespread to be upheld amongst its members. Agreed we have almost 21 Aspirants from the Northern Senatorial District. Our question to the government and people of Cross River State is does that make a consensus candidate to emanate from the politics of silence? Nobody has been talking and nobody has said anything and suddenly the concept of consensus candidate has filled the Air. However, when to call for a consensus candidate in any democratic ideal situation is what matters. Normally we are told somewhere that consensus is invoked in crisis situations, conflict, disagreement amongst contending opponents and a situation where there is mistrust, lack of confidence, personal interest and hatred amongst the aspirants. Is it that we are fighting against one another for a single gubernatorial position that is why Consensus candidate is on the making? Understand that many of times consensus may bring about peace, but it kill quality and capability of the kind of leader that a society wants. The question is why the concept of a consensus candidate coming up now in the Northern Senatorial District? Has there been anything of this nature in the politics of Cross River State? Are those calling for a consensus candidate of the opinion that the North is not organized or that we are not strong enough. Let the entire candidates come out to the field and let us see their report cards. The people of Cross River State should call for an open debate that will give the aspirants the opportunity to present their manifestoes and ideas for 2015 so that the citizens can know what is best for them.. Now why that is some us do not buy the idea of consensus even though in most cases it brings about political stability. Firstly, in consensus situation not only conscience and hearts of men are sold in the process of selecting a candidate, but transparency, integrity and objectives are traded on issues that are of virtue. We fear that politics being what it is and we being what we are, there will be no transparency, free accessibility and level playing ground for some of the good candidates without being forced out by draconian conditions from the incumbent government that is seen against the principles of Democratic values as it is clearly stated ‘’ Money for hand back for ground’’ ARGUMENT AGAINST CONSENSUS CANDIDATE IN 2015 Secondly this concept is unconstitutional, undemocratic and may be unacceptable to the entire people of Cross River State in 2015 as this will trigger divisions amongst the people and the candidates. Please is it not better for a primary election to be conducted for all the aspirants? If this is not done, how then can we call this a consensus arrangement? Thirdly, calling for a consensus candidate will be an opportunity for money to be exchanged from Mr. A to Mr. B against the wishes and aspiration of public interest. We know that for some it is a time for them to collect from their opponents what they have lost during the campaign as far as a means of compensation. Fourthly it might sound funny to you, but it is not. This is a serious matter because during the process of consensus government positions and offices are shared and traded upon. The candidate who may have the upper hand signs an agreement to set up his executive council that night true or false? Lastly this is a slight on the people of the north. It is a game by government to try another joke that might be unknown to us in 2015. A candidate who may have the upper hand signs an agreement to set up his executive council that night true or false? Lastly this is a slight on the people of the north. It is a game by government to try another joke that might be unknown to us in 2015.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 09:01:49 +0000