Endorsement is a common feature in politics. In another word, it is a way to remain very relevant in the art of politics. I am not therefore surprised with the endorsement galore of President Muhammadu Buhari, by those that want to use his personality to see them through in 2019.
These set of politicians went about the endorsement of Buhari, to go beyond the year.
Some of them at the moment are having serious problems in their respective states and the sure way for them to be considered for another term was to go berserk with the endorsement of the president. .
The politicians are on the endorsement galore as a mere political gimmick in order to hoodwink the people and the president, who is trying his possible best to fix the country. But, the same people are using his endorsement to plot for their safe return to the seat they are occupying without too much stress.
The parable of the endorsement galore orchestrated by the stooges of the various state governors, especially those elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, is anchored on one fact, which is without Buhari, there is no All Progressives Congress.
These governors do not have the clout to get the nod to be re-elected and as such, they need to align themselves with Buhari. And they also want to be politically relevant in the scheming for the 2019 election. No wonder these days, one sees aspiring politicians pasting their posters with the picture of the president emblazoned on it, all in the attempt to be seen as genuinely supporting.
Buhari, who enjoys the support of the people especially the common men and women of this country and they are fully behind him for the fact that he is incorruptible and has integrity.
Though, Buhari, has not publicly said that he will seek a second term, the political horizon is quite polluted with politicians elected and non-elected shouting at the top of their voices endorsing him especially within the ranks of his party, the APC.
It is not only Buhari that is being called, but loyalists, appointees and the party hierarchy in various states are also endorsing state governors.
Supporters and loyalists do this in order to continue enjoying the crumbs while their mentors are in office. It is a daily routine these days to see appointees floating different organizations in a bid to actualize the dream of their boss for a second term.
Despite the fact that the whistle has not been blown for politicking by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, some political appointees have started in earnest to beat the drums for second term for the president and state governors. But the sad irony of these calls is that some are simply not justifiable. For instance, some governors have not done well and still their loyalists and political appointees are beating the drums very loud for their principals to get a second term ticket either by hook and crook.
Endorsement rather than election process is taking the centre stage in Nigerian politics. This was what happened in the days when the Peoples Democratic Party held sway at the centre. From all indications, the same scenario is being re-enacted.
It is imperative for the politicians to strengthen democracy by following the rules such as conducting primaries for all elective offices. Aspiring politicians should be given the chance to try out their luck in a free and fair contest, where the playing field is level. One of such is the conduct of primaries.
Anything contrary would ultimately spell doom for democracy. We should imbibe the culture of advanced democracies of the world, which strictly play the political game according to the rules.
Doing so would no doubt rekindle the hope of the people in playing actual politics. In the end, all the people would embrace politics, and even the international community would applaud both the process and then outcome.
Nigerian politicians should play by the rules of the game and not rely on endorsement that is contrary to the rules of the game.
► By Usman Santuraki wrote from Santuraki Close, Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola.