A SERVING minister was quoted as saying that the crisis in the country is being sponsored by those who wish to share power with the President. To me, there is nothing wrong with power sharing. It is only in a country like our own that it is a sin to lose an election.

Much as it is wrong for the opposition to want to destroy the country because they are not in government, there is nothing bad in accommodating them in the government.

A coalition government is in no position an inferior government or illegitimate. Power sharing is good for democracy. It helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Power sharing makes people dependent and responsible. It is essential to avoid violent conflicts, tyranny of the majority and ensure political stability.

Democratic rule and power sharing have close links. Power sharing is an integral component of the spirit of democratic rule. It is highly applicable in a diverse society as ours. Let’s face it: a united Nigeria is still a dream. Ethnicity is still the rule here, and if power sharing will help bring about progress and unity, let’s adopt it.

Monopoly of power by group, a tribe, a political party, will lead to envy, hatred, disunity and jealousy, no matter how that party got to power, even if they bought their way to power.

In some countries, it is called coalition. In the First Republic we called it alliance; in the Second Republic we called it accord.

In his inaugural address on May 29 last year, President Bola Tinubu declared: “Today, fate and destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip.

“We lift high this torch so that it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never EXTINGUISH.

“Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.

“We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it.

“In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture. It was a hard-fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality.

“The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents.

Nor does it render them any less patriotic. “They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore”. 

I remember in the First Republic that there was an alliance between the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, NCNC, and the Action Group. There was also an alliance between the Northern People’s Congress, NPC, and Chief Ladoke Akintola’s Nigerian National Democratic Party, NNDP.

While at Olofin Anglican Grammar School in Idanre in Ondo State in 1964, I remember the first time I saw Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s wife, Chief Hannah Dideolu Awolowo (November 25, 1915 – September 19, 2015) was when she came to Idanre, my home town, in company of Chief Michael Okpara (NCNC), then Premier of the Eastern Region, for a political rally. Their alliance then was called the United Progressive Grand Alliance, UPGA.

The alliance between NPC and NNDP transformed into what was known then as the NNA. That alliance produced the following as Ministers on March 31, 1965: Mr. M.T. Mbu(Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence, Navy); Alhaji Nuhu Bamali (Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs); Mr. Jaja Nwachukwu (Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance; Alhaji Usman Maitambari(Minister of State, Transport); Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko (Minister of State, Defence, Army); Alhaji Hashim Adaji(Minister of State, Works); Mr. T.E. Orodi (Minister of State, Lagos Affairs); Chief H.O. Davies (Minister of State, Industries); Chief A. Akerele( Minister of State, Information); Alhaji Abdul Rasaq(Minister of State, Transport); and Mr. D. Ibekwe(Minister of State, External Affairs).

To be concluded