Opposition parties have always blamed their failure to wrestle power from the BDP partly on lack of funding. Some pointed out that you do not need to be funded by the state to win power. This is true as you have other alternatives: you could be financed by businesses, if they believe you are friendly to their interests. Since leftist organisations are often not friendly to business, they must find ways to raise their own funds.
An investment company for BNF thus will hopefully give the party money to run its activities and to compete more meaningfully; again, it all depends on how they manage the whole thing. If they run this company like they run the political party, it will liquidate in no time. Having the company also means the party do not need to make unnecessary concessions to big business - again that is if the company takes off and is successful.
The BCP unveiled a party vehicle and came up with a plan for regions to contribute cattle or money to help boost the campaign kitty. The shadow cabinet idea is a great response at a time when the nation is asking them to demonstrate that they can govern.
Meanwhile, the action by the BCP has set the bar high and the BNF and its Umbrella partners may need to learn something from this: that people need a demonstration of capacity to lead. You need to demonstrate that you are able to lead a nation not through just talk but also action; becoming a critic of all organisations in society is not what wins you power, appealing to your long held segment of supporters does not help either as you need people who can vote for you. Duma Boko has to a large degree turned the BNF’s fortune around as many who were discouraged are now back, his battle though is to attract new voters. If he does this, then he will be immortalised in history; to attract new voters, one needs fresh initiatives not the same old rhetoric and trigger happiness to shoot at all who see things differently.
All said, bravo to the guys at BCP and BNF! You did politics proud last weekend and one hopes you continue to do so. These are steps in the right direction though challenges lie ahead.
