“A precedent embalms a principle” – William Scott, 1745-1836, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 198

“Politicians are their own grave diggers” – Will Rogers, 1897-1935, VBQ p 191.

I clocked 81 last month; and, if asked to list ten things which provide me with the most satisfaction, watching the gradual death of the People Democratic Party, PDP, would rank among them.

Not because I like what is going on with regard to defections, but, precisely, because the PDP established the precedent which nurtured the defection of politicians elected on a party’s mandate to another party – without qualms. 

The first defection in the Fourth Republic occurred in 2001 by the late Senator Wahab Dosumu, who was elected, in 1999, on the ticket of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, to represent Lagos Central. I was a witness to the betrayal.

However, before going forward, there is a need to reveal how close Wahab Dosumu and I were; and why what he did in 2001 was a serious blow to my belief that Nigeria’s democracy would endure for long.

WAHAB DOSUMU BEFORE POLITICS

Dosumu, a Muslim, attended Baptist Academy, a Christian secondary school, situated, at the time, at Broad Street, Lagos Island; and almost directly opposite Methodist Boys High School and a real stone throw from the CMS Grammar School – just down the road.

He was a junior to three of my elder brothers; one attended Baptist Academy; two Methodist Boys High School.

The youngest of my brothers was just a year older than Wahab and somehow they became friends; visiting each other at home.

Thus, I knew Brother Wahab from the time I was in primary school.

He later influenced my life in a positive way till today.

Most Nigerians in the 1950s and 1960s believed that Lagos boys were not serious with their education – “Eko for show” was the insult hauled at us.

It was probably not totally undeserved.

Then Brother Wahab surprised everybody by grabbing the then prestigious American government scholarship – ASPAU – to study in the United States.

Suddenly a role model emerged for us.

I followed Dosumu in 1964 and Oluyomi Adeyemi-Wilson, who spent years as the External Affairs Manager of Mobil Unlimited, arrived the US in 1965 to study Engineering. Dosumu was the only Nigerian known to me when I arrived on August 4, 1964.

I had obtained his address from an uncle at Epetedo area of Lagos before flying out.

I quickly got in touch and clung to him as if my life depended on it – which in fact it did. He was there for me till he left me there.

DOSUMU IN POLITICS

The Dosumu family have always been associated with the NCNC led by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe during the First Republic and were anti-Awolowo and the Action Group for reasons too long to explain now; and which need not delay us here.

It was therefore not surprising to me when Wahab ended up in the NPN, led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari – instead of the UPN led by Awolowo.

He became the Federal Minister for Housing from 1979 to 1983; and went down with the government when the military struck.

The real surprise came when, in 1998, in the months leading to the 1999 elections, Dosumu joined the Awoist Alliance for Democracy instead of the PDP.

Perhaps, it was because he realised that the PDP had no chance of getting a candidate elected in Lagos in 1999.

Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, had such a vice grip on Lagos, political realism and that dictated his initial choice of party.

He won the election; spent two years in AD and “went home” to the PDP –his traditional home.

ESTABLIBLISHING A PRECEDENT HAUNTING PDP NOW

“Men make history; but, not just as they please” – Karl Marx,1818-1883, VBQ p 93.

In 2001, several Editors and columnists of leading newspapers, as well as television and radio stations, received an invitation to meet with Senator Wahab Dosumu at the Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant, situated then at Ikorodu Road.

I jokingly told my Secretary, who brought my own IV: “I served Egbon Wahab food in our house several times when in primary school; and even washed the plates after the meal.

It’s his turn to serve me lunch; and he doesn’t even have to wash the plates after I am finished.”

Four Vanguard staff members, including the late Alhaji Kola Animasaun, were among those invited.

I have my reasons for being so specific about the number and people present; as will become clear shortly.

A short welcome address was followed by lunch and, finally, the reason for the invitation was revealed.

Dosumu, reading from a prepared text, announced that he was decamping from the AD to the PDP with immediate effect.

His reason was astonishing and ludicrous.

Governor Tinubu had captured Lagos State AD and there was no hope for his own political ambition to become Governor in the scheme of things; or words to that effect.

I was stunned.

I turned to Alhaji, sitting next to me, to ask if we heard the same thing or I was dreaming.

Alhaji patted me on the shoulder and said: “Dele, that is Nigerian politics.” Nigerian politics?

I thought the Fourth Republic was going to take us away from “Politics without principles”?

And, here was my own senior brother, who had the benefit of American education, who passed through US democracy, but, the US and democracy did not pass through him.

Everybody filed out after the event; but I remain glued to my seat; until Dosumu drew close to me to ask: “Dele, what do you think of the address? I am counting on you to help me get people to understand my position.”

“Egbon, I am sorry the food (I ate) can’t be returned without creating a mess.” He was shocked. In the package that had been distributed to those who attended the event, there was also a hand-written note telling me that he wanted me to head his campaign to clinch the PDP ticket for Governor in 2003.

He even hinted that a top level appointment awaited me if all went according to plan.

I would have none of it.

This was mandate robbery and no patriotic media person should support it.

I went with seven adults in my household to vote for him; and our votes were being sold.

The honourable thing to do was to resign; create a vacancy requiring another election; then go and contest on PDP platform – instead of trading our votes without our permission.

For me, there was no compromise.

There is still no compromise with mandate robbers.

Those were pre-GSM days; and getting in touch with him was not easy.

I went to meet him in Abuja.

My last words to him remain indelible in my mind: “I know that Obasanjo and George will be very happy to welcome you into PDP, but, you would have established a precedent which will, sooner or later, haunt the PDP. I hope we are all alive to see the boomerang effect of your action now.”

Dosumu was quickly followed by Musiliu Obanikoro and Sewa Ogunlewe, who were also elected on progressive party platform in Lagos State. 

Dosumu is not alive to witness what is happening to the PDP now. Nothing gives me more joy than knowing that Obasanjo and Bode George, who sowed the ill-wind of unconstitutional defection, are alive to see the PDP harvesting the whirlwind of the precedent they established – just as I predicted 24 years ago; when parting with my senior brother, Senator Dosumu.

SOUTHERN YOUTHS AND MILITARY SERVICE

“Power flows from the barrels of guns” – The late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of Northern Region

The story has been told several times by prominent Northern military leaders.

General Babangida, in particular, recalled how the late Sardauna of Sokoto came to Bida Government College, in the early 1960s, to urge the boys to consider military service as a career.

He told them, quite bluntly, before the first coup which swept him off, that the military will always hold the power – perhaps not in the way it turned out.

Meanwhile, Southern youths are refusing to serve; while every Northern State exceeds its quota.

I am apprehensive about the consequences of this development in the future.

If the past is a guide to the future, the South is already positioning itself for subordinate role again.

A word is sufficient for the wise. At 81, it is too late for me to enlist.