In what ways do so-called democrats in developing countries seek to legitimize their rule and perpetuate themselves in power? First, they place the entire machinery of state under their firm, personal control; they put an extensive apparatus of repression and coercion in place, and in the process, mismanage the economy.
To douse pressure from the civilized world, they organise elections and rig them in their own favour. Out of desperation to retain power, they try to poach some key opposition elements to give the arrangement some form of legitimacy.
The visit by the Governors of Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos States, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Olurotimi Akeredolu and Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to their Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Nyesom Wike, some days ago to cajole him to dump his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) fit this bill.
Although the governors didn’t speak to press, it is clear that the ruling APC is now desperate and therefore the mission of the governors was to bring Wike to their fold or strike a deal with him, courtesy one of their newest converts .However, what’s the sense in their move? Have you ever seen a crowned prince contest for a chieftaincy title ?
What is APC’s record in the last seven years to earn it the reward of having in its fold a performing governor of national acclaim like Nyesom Wike? The Nigerian economy, potentially Africa’s most viable, is now one of the continent’s most disastrous. But not so the personal fortunes of those in the corridors of power.
It is public knowledge that APC members who were living from hand to mouth before the party came to power in 2015 are now reputedly among of the world’s richest men. Conversely, ordinary Nigerians are now resigned to what seems a hopeless fate, sleeping with only one of their eyes closed because of the high level of insecurity that has never been witnessed before in this country
Or what becomes the fate of Siminialayi Fubara, the PDP gubernatorial candidate and other candidates who have been picked to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 general elections in the state? The truth of the matter is that the mood of the people of Rivers State and indeed the people of the South South shows that they are PDP sympathizers. The APC does not seem to have a good hold there.
Some may argue that in politics strange bedfellows can cohabit in the same political party once the conditions are right, but it is highly improbable that Wike will defect to the APC. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki captured the development succinctly when he described the visit by Governors of the APC to Nyesom Wike, as a miscalculation.
Speaking with reporters during the Eid celebration in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, Saraki said Wike is important to the PDP and the party won’t let him go.
“Wike is an important member of our party and I am very confident that in no distant time, we will sit down and address all the issues. There is no doubt about it that he has cause to feel the way he does, but there are better ways by which issue like this can be resolved,” Saraki said.
Saraki said the party’s leaders were talking to each other and PDP will reunite and forge ahead to win the next elections. He assured that PDP will resolve its family issue that currently confronts it.
The fact that some APC governors went to see their colleague, trying to capitalize on what they think is an issue is a gross miscalculation. At the end of the day, their visit is going nowhere. The APC governors know that it is this kind of a crack they need to latch on. Fortunately, we are not going to give him to them because the election ahead is too important. The destinies of millions of Nigerians are too important and even bigger than any party or individual. I appreciate that, all our stakeholders appreciate that and Governor Wike himself appreciates that,” Saraki enthused.
Saraki said the APC government should lock itself up in a room and refuse to come out over its failures in governance.
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