Governor Oborevwori and his defecting political team to APC: dawn of a new political era, by Kola Amzat
It’s only the less discerning and politically naïve Nigerians that would be taken aback and surprised with present development of mass defection to APC, particularly by the key PDP stalwarts and political juggernauts across the country.
The recent mass movement of Delta state governor, his deputy and key political figures in the state, and even, the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Okowa to APC from PDP is one historic political event that might have completely rattled and shattered PDP leadership hierarchy.
It’s worthy of note to mention that until this development, Delta state have been a political fortress of Conservatives for several decades, with progressive groups having very insignificant influence and, even, presence in the state.
The news in the public domain is that the governor and his discerning team ought to have defected for a long time, but, they opted to be circumspect, preferring to substantially feel the pulse of the millions of Deltans, the positive response they eventually got.
Just barely two weeks ago, Akwa Ibom state governor, Umoh Uno, a PDP governor, during the flagging of the state’s segment of 700 km stretch Lagos-Calabar coastal road confidently affirmed that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, President Tinubu would surely coast home to landslide victory during the forthcoming 2027 presidential election.
Before this patriotic declaration, quite a number of Nigerians have been expecting the cleric governor, as well as his team to also draw curtains on their membership of PDP.
Even though, it has not happened, it would surely happen!
It’s reported that, very dominant in all the nooks and crannies of Osun state presently is the portraits of the president and the incumbent governor jointly in one poster, seeking second term in office.
This is not a coincidence! The governor absolutely knows what’s he is doing. Indeed, all arrangement are reportedly to have been concluded for defection.
Even though, as I put up this Piece, there is all indications that it would happen.
Siminalayi Fubara, former governor of Rivers state is fighting political battle of his life. He’s well conscious of the fact he’s arrogantly committed political blunder and, he’s desperately do everything humanly possible to make restitution and to do a damage control.
If providence smiles on him in his quest to come back, the young man would surely bid bye-bye to PDP.
Taraba state governor, Kefas has for long been rumoured to have his heart and soul in APC, but, physically, he’s in PDP.
The fact however remains that no one would be surprised to see him very soon in APC garment.
With the above, the rank of PDP, the main opposition party have been thoroughly decimated and dismembered.
It’s therefore an auspicious time for the spent forces in PDP to wake up from their slumber and face the reality.
The reality is that PDP has turned to carcass, so much that it’s only politically naïve aspirants who would be attempting to deploy the political platform to vie for any electoral office.
Elder Bode George has been virulent and unwavering in lambasting PDP stalwarts & chieftains who have defected in recent times.
But, he is obviously not wiser than the people he’s accusing of treachery and debauchery for dropping PDP.
The old man has simply lost touch with reality, as well as political dynamics of present-day political initiatives.
The governors who have defected or those who about to, know exactly what they want from Nigeria nation. They’re obviously not subject to whims and caprices of their highly disorganized and fragmented party hierarchy.
They are equally aware of what they want from the government at the centre, as well as what they desire for their respective states.
And, as incumbent governors, they know who has the capacity to make their desire a reality.
Bukola Saraki, a former senate president was equally upbraiding the governors who have left, declaring categorically, that the party is rebuilding and repositioning and that those who are leaving are free to leave.
What are they rebuilding? What are they repositioning? No one can build anything on nothing!
The Kwara born politician has completely lost touch with reality. Can PDP indeed survive without the contributions of these governors? Capital NO!
The likes of Bukola Saraki must stop grandstanding; a negative attitude that would ONLY continually drive the party into EXTINCTION.
Saraki himself has completely lost his relevance in the party!
The fact remains that the major stakeholders of the party- the governors have seen what the Sarakis, Bode Georges and others have refused to see that, it won’t be in their political interest to continue to operate under illusion that, they have a party.
PDP is presently a dead horse! The party has become a walking corpse, waiting to collapse and be buried.
A party with two Secretary General battling for contention is not a party! In the past two years, PDP have been driving by acting Chairman, who only have support of few governors, with other governors always be at loggerheads with him.
The immediate past presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, is already involved in coalition initiative with other disgruntled politicians in their quest to unhorse the incumbent president during the forthcoming presidential election in year 2027.
As I put up this Piece, the party is without a national secretariat in FCT, Abuja, as the office have been plagued with controversy of ownership.
Why therefore should their discerning governors continue to remain there? Why shouldn’t they seek other alternative platforms to further their individual ambitions?
Besides the issues that this writer have highlighted above, why is this running from pillar to post by Atiku Abubakar and his ilk to hijack power? What’s the stewardship they’ve rendered to Nigerians, of the exalted offices they’ve been occupied in the past?
We would like to enquire; what would this group want to do differently to turn the tide better than what the incumbent president is doing if indeed they get hold of power?
Atiku Abubakar was a complete disaster as vice president, the office he occupied for eight years.
We vividly recollect that, the acknowledged head of the coalition and former vice president of Nigeria had less-salutary tenure as second in command to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, so much the latter vowed that Atiku would ONLY be Nigeria president when he’s no more.
Indeed, Atiku escaped been disgraced out of office through impeachment by national assembly by whiskers.
As a former FCT minister and DG, Bureau of Public Bureau Agency, El-Rufai was operating under supervision. Nigerian witnessed the monumental disaster his tenure of 8 years as governor of Kaduna state caused, with continual human carnage and destruction of property worth several billions of Naira particularly in southern Kaduna.
For the period his tenure of 8 year lasted as helmsman in the state, there was a gulf in cordial relationship between Northern and Southern Kaduna, simply on account of his political immaturity, official recklessness and indiscretion.
This is the same man helter skelter to run for the nation topmost job. Simply put; with Nigeria under the watch of El-Rufai, Nigeria would extinct!
Rotimi Amaechi has for long lost political relevance in Rivers state. FCT minister, Nyesom Wike had long consigned him to dust bin of political history.
Presently, it’s doubtful whether Amaechi could win local government election in Rivers state!
Other members of the coalition like Kayode Fayemi, Babachir Lawal and Salihu Lukman are politicians that have not only lost electoral values but have made FCT, Abuja as platform of deploying propaganda against government only to remain relevant.
Nigerians of goodwill should ask them all; what party do they belong?
Besides, this president, with so much insight, intelligence, drive, industry, shrewd and politically savvy, with helicopter view, is on course.
The president courageously drew curtains on the regime of fuel subsidies, as well as close the chapter of era of Multiple Foreign Exchange Systems, two hydra-headed challenges that had hitherto constituted a noose around the economic jugular of our nation and impeded our economic development and progress.
The reforms has signaled positive economic outlook for 2025, with the strengthening of Naira, coupled with consecutive quarters of foreign trade surpluses, as well as decreasing in fuel prices.
The stock market recently hits ₦67 trillion market capitalization mark, an unprecedented record in the nation annals, an indication of creating trillions in wealth, and a surge in foreign investments eloquently demonstrating renewed trust and confidence in Nigerian economy.
The aggregate government revenue is more than doubled, increasing by over ₦9.1 trillion in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in year 2023.
The present administration have boldly engaged in major infrastructure projects all around the country. These include roads and bridges construction, huge investments in railways, power generation, as well as oil and gas developments. The audacious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, as well as Sokoto-Badagry Highway projects signpost government spirited efforts in this direction.
Oil production has significantly improved to about 1.81 million barrels/day, with formidable security architecture already put in place within Niger Delta deep ocean axis. Related to this inflow of Foreign Direct Investments of over $500 million already signed and consummated.
Another milestone achievement of the present administration is reduction in REVENUE to DEBT SERVICE RATIO from 97% to 68% in the last 15 months.
The government has begun the implementation of ₦70,000 minimum wage, a remarkable development that has improved the well-being of Nigerians workers across the land.
There are plethora of incentives for farmers aimed at increasing food production, as well as huge investments on mechanized farming such as tractors and planters, for the same purpose.
Just within 2 years of this administration, about 240,000 jobs through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises funding have been created.
Consumer Credit Corporation has been established with over ₦200 billion take of grant to empower Nigerians to acquire essential products without the need for immediate cash payments, making life easier for millions of households around the country.
Students in tertiary institution are not left behind in government programs and plans, with the approval of over ₦95.6 billion to access in order to fund their individual educational aspirations.
Another milestone of this government is the audacious 2025 Appropriation Bill of ₦59.44 that is also projected to reduce inflation from 34.6 to 15%, by significantly increasing food production, as well as promoting the local manufacturing of essential drugs and medical supplies.
It’s instructive to note that, prices of staple foods have already been coming down, as projected.
The above justifications are the main reasons why the governors of PDP are hell-bent and desperately desirous of pitching their tents with President Bola Tinubu, by squarely been under his leadership for the purpose of turning the tide in all gamut.
And, why should anyone have any axe to grind with them? What’s the purpose of governance? Is it not to deliver services and dividends of democracy to the populace? Can the PDP governors do this in the present atmosphere of confusion, uncertainty, intrigues and chaos that has long pervaded in the party?
Certainly not! Nigerians should therefore arise and congratulate the governors for their thoughtfulness for taking this path of honour.
Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)
Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,
09077509348.
