By Abdullahi Ismail

As a Kwaran who believes in a greater Kwara, I have always thought ACN which is the leading opposition has more to offer in Kwara- but I was gripped with horrific scepticism ignited by the late massive deflection of its members to PDP in Kwara, the consistent ranting made in dailies with no practical models. Even though intra-party crisis is intrinsic to ACN, among others, the present intra-party clash Kwara ACN is facing is the biggest blow so far. This shows ACN is immature to manage a ward in Kwara, not to say a Local Government or the whole state. Generally, ACN from inception in Kwara has continued to suffer set back, the party is widely known for "unacceptance"in Kwara. Having lost almost all elections gallantly in Kwara, the party is yet to mirror what it preaches in various commentaries passed and articles published by its very few members and shy followers in the Kwara state.

Critically reflecting on this round of Kwara ACN crisis- the prevalent themes remain disorderliness, disunity and aggression as they always have them. 'Order' is primal in a society. No societal structure can survive without 'order'. A political party is a structure and for it survival, it needs well laid 'orders' which are understood and respected by its members. A structure without order will crash cheaply and make a mess of itself; Kwara ACN has proved to the people it has no order, perhaps it has it written in its constitutions but they are not followed. No doubt, it is delicate to trust a state into the hands of an unstable, uncoordinated and disunited party, as such trend will be passed down to the people's affair. Interestingly, an ACN committee release in the dailies read that "to lead the collective yearning for good governance and continuous struggle against tyranny of the few which is militating against the state's human and infrastructural development." ."Collective yearning"or ACN yawning? What good can ACN offer in Kwara when its national secretary mounts a huge barricade against its Kwara gubernatorial candidate? Could that be means to lobby for the seat? These and lot more describes the confusion in Kwara ACN.

Without doubt, the growing fiasco between the Olawepo faction and Belgore has moved beyond speculations as it touched fever pitch- following the divisive decision of a faction who refused to recognize committee set up to manage the affairs of the party. Sadly, the conflicting trend in Kwara ACN will grow deeper, even sooner than thought-because installation is the practice in ACN generally. The main virtue of democracy which is election is not practiced in the party. People are selected into party seats and not voted; this is thoroughly against democratic influence. Dele Belgore was selected in the party to run for governor in 2011, no primary elections held. Today, the effects are obvious. It is important to note that the removal of  Mr. Kayode Olawepo is unjust because he was removed on allegations- of course anyone can be alleged, allegations have to be proven before legal actions follow.

Various press releases by ACN members are conflicting but the predominant fact derived is that, Mr. Dele Belgore and Mr. Lai Mohammed are at war with each other- divided against one another in same party. Both figures sponsor people in their camps which continues to distort the activities of the party and relegate it rapidly. Recovering from the ill-fate may be impossible really, because, since inception in Kwara, ACN has added nothing aside media noise. Evidently, such effort cannot be sustained for too long. While they run after the progression of other parties, they forget their primary concerns. Kwarans need no other warning, ACN is a failure here.