APC Convention Highlights Consensus System's Impact

The article focuses on the recent convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Abuja, where the consensus system was criticized for diminishing political competition. It notes that despite the APC's overwhelming dominance in Nigerian politics, there was a surprising lack of media frenzy surrounding the event, which featured numerous dignitaries including governors and federal legislators.

The piece references a proverb by Chinua Achebe, indicating that the consensus approach has rendered political contests tasteless, akin to a poorly prepared soup. The article draws parallels to past political conventions in Nigeria, particularly in 1978, which garnered significant media attention and public interest due to competitive elections.

The APC's convention is portrayed as lacking excitement, with the consensus system pushing competitive elements to the background, raising concerns about the future of political engagement in Nigeria.