Wike on Self Political Destruction?
By: Sani Danaudi Mohammed
AREWA AGENDA – The French statesman Charles de Gaulle famously said: Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word. In other words, politicians do not believe their own words and those who believe them do so at the cost of their reputations.No doubt that, Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State is PDP true and true considering the sacrifices he made to ensure the party survive after the political tsunami that almost wipes out the party from the political scenes of Nigeria having lost power at the centre in 2015. His recent actions, remarks and attitudes towards a political party that fed him contradict his earlier stand of being a party man.
After the PDP Presidential Primaries where he emerged runner up to the Presidential Candidate of the party and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, things begin to fall apart within the ranks of the main opposition party that have been in the corridors of power for 16 years. Wike’s Camp has Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Okizie Ikpeazu of Abia States have continued to clamour for the party’s National Chairman’s Resignation. This conflict has continued to generate reactions within and outside the party, especially from spectators and Nigerians in particular.
The PDP heading towards the 2023 general elections with this crisis unresolved may likely affect the chances of the party in its bid to return to power after 8 years of President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressive Congress. This is because of the autocratic tendencies and emperor leadership style of most of the Nigerian Governors that cannot be overlooked. His refusal to accept pleas and reconciliation from the high and mighty within the PDP is no doubt setting the party on a dangerous signal with less than 4 months to the general elections. The last minute attempt by the Former President of the Nigerian Senate and now acting Chairman of BOT as well as Peter Odili, David Mark and James Ibori to bring the warring parties together have not yielded any positive results, One may conclude that the party is going to this election deeply divided unless last minute change.
THE ZONING PRINCIPLE
The PDP Constitution chapter one, section 7(3)(c) states in pursuant to the principles of equity, justice, and fairness the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of the party and public elective offices, and it shall be enforced by the appropriate Executive Committees at all levels. The members of the founding foundations of the PDP including Atiku and Ayu himself all agreed that it is only on the basis of equity and justice that the complexity of the Nigerian political landscape can be managed and minimised.
The one Nigeria in word does not exist in action, The political elites themselves have continued to incubate hatred and separatism to their followers and Kings men for personal political benefits to the detriment of millions of Nigerians. They have succeeded in infusing hatred the ordinary Nigerians on grounds of tribes, religion and ethnicity for easy manipulation. In an environment where Government discharge its responsibility, The citizenry will be Counting on good governance that will bring to the table, Quality education, a functional Health Care System, Good Road Network, portable drinking water, Electricity and Security. Unfortunately, these Nigerians are left with the danger of propagating and sustaining these ugly narratives of exclusion of “We Want our syndrome”.
Though, Wike’s Camp and a host of other Nigerians have continued to bang on the zoning principle that was scuttled in the aftermath of the 2011 general elections. In 2010, Alhaji Sani Aminu Dutsin-ma had dragged the party and its national chairman Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo before the high court contending that he championed the bastardisation of the PDP constitution in order to pave the way for former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the presidency on the platform of the party. This was the beginning of the abuse of the foundations and principles of which the party was formed to give each and every region and section of the country a sense of participation.
THE FALLACIES
The suggestion that the party should zone its Presidential ticket to South East region is said to have been frustrated by the current advocates of equity, justice and fairness led by Governor Nyeson Wike. The fact that the PDP constitution made it clear for elective offices to be zoned to allow the spirit of inclusivity within the Six Geopolitical zones, Nigerians do not have a bye commission to challenge the decision of the PDP to have its Presidential Candidate from the North because President Muhammadu Buhari of APC and Atiku Abubakar are not members of the same party.
The supreme court said, where the law has no ambiguity, it should be given its ordinary meaning and interpretation. Therefore, the spirit and intention of the PDP constitution are that, After 8 years of power in the North or South, the next President should come from the other zone.
Recall that, from 1999 to 2007 it was Former President Obasanjo, Late Yar’adua was elected on this principle but died in 2010 and Former President Goodluck Jonathan after completing their tenure contested against the principle in 2011 and 2015. The abuse of this Cardinal objective of the party is still itching many including Wike himself. By this implication, The party has not breached any of its provisions, this is because the last President under PDP was Goodluck Jonathan from the South South and the next President under PDP should come from the North. Many shared the view that Wike is championing a personal course Because GEJ is from the same region and was the last President under the PDP. He should have advocated for a power shift to either South East, North Central or North East the three Geopolitical zones that have not befitted.
Wike’s camp will likely in the course of time and things become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will enable them to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion. It will interest us to know that even those that vehemently opposed the decision of the National Working Committee to throw the race open have agreed to bury their differences to work for the party’s victory and its Presidential Candidate in 2023.
Keynote among the ongoing conversation is whether or not the Wike’s Camp may likely affect the chances of the main opposition PDP in the next elections. It may and may not depending on the decisions of Nigerians who decide the fate of Nigeria with their PVCs.The Nigerian voters do not give a hood to the zone where the National Chairman comes from. This Ayu’s scenario coming from the same region as the party’s Presidential Candidate is a replica of Late Yar’adua and Ahmadu Ali’s case in 2007. The party won convincingly then because of its manifesto and the Presidential Candidate on the ballot and not on ethnic or regional backgrounds. Wike himself as a trained lawyer should have known that neither he nor Atiku have no legal authority to remove Ayu. Should he resign then another Northerner must be nominated to complete his mandate of four years in office after ratification by the party’s NEC unless expediency maybe applies which itself is a slap on the party’s constitution.
WIKE’S WEAKNESS
It is now clear that he is going into this political war without the entire PDP of the South-South region with the Governors of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Edo States working for Atiku/Okowa ticket. Another major blow for Wike’s camp is the endorsement of the PDP Presidential Candidate by Former President Goodluck Jonathan the anointed Wike godfather. The Governors in his bag may have little or no impact on the outcome of the elections as they are being chased by heavyweight politicians in their States and regions including Wike himself.
The Executive Governor of Benue State for example has worked day and night for Wike’s Presidency but failed to deliver the votes of the Benue delegates who should have been solidly in his bag because of the National Chairman, Senator Suswam who was then DG to Emmanuel Udom and Senator David Mark. It was the same scenario in Oyo and Enugu. it was only Abia that Wike won convincingly. The introduction of the BAVAS machine by the 2022 electoral act has ended the rigging machines of some of the Governors who comfortably make promises of delivering against all odds a certain percentage of votes in their States.
The supremacy of the votes is complete with the electorates who will go to the polls with the notion of voting for a Candidate that will prioritise their future through improving Security, education, health and wellbeing by introducing sound economic measures that have a direct impact on the lives of the people. Osun State where Adeleke of PDP defeated the incumbent Governor of All Progressive Congress and this happened without the support of Wike and his men. The Bassa/Jos North Federal constituency bye-election won by the PRP candidate is a clear indication that the will of the people will decide the next President of Nigeria.
Read Also:
All other Presidential Candidates that participated in the Primaries are fully behind Atiku Abubakar with the exception of the former Governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose. The Chairman of the Campaign Council Emmanuel Udom, the Director of PDP PCC Aminu Tambuwal, the Director of Strategic Communications PDP PCC Dele Momodu and Anyim Pius Anyim, Former President of the Senate and Former SGF were contestants for the same party’s primaries. The Governor of Rivers State should not shy away from mocking one of his loyal men in his bag Fayose who also pulled zero votes as he has done to his friend Dele.
The question is, What exactly is Wike fighting for? Sentiments or the three clauses of equity, justice and fairness? Many have accused him of fighting a personal battle which started manifesting after he lost the party’s ticket. Those on this assertions including myself have furnished facts to support this, Wike himself should not have contested the Primaries considering the fact that the last President under PDP was from the South-South region. If equity, justice and fairness are adhered to, then it should have been either South East, North Central or North East because they are the only Geopolitical zones that have not benefited from these triplet elements of Power sharing. The committee that recommended to the NEC of the party to throw it open were chaired by his close allies with anticipation that Wike may have his way. Otherwise, the protest of none inclusion, fairness, justice and equity will have been a dominant point of call.
ATIKU’S/PDP STRENGTH
I endorsed and rooted for him as Atiku’s running mate leading my team with my energy and resources. His inability to shift grounds for peace to reign even though the party has moved on strong and united heading towards the election fully prepared left us in doubt whether he was capable of being the right choice for Atiku Abubakar. We were guided by his successes as an Executive Governor of Rivers State and his sacrifices for the party and Nigerians. One thing, even his political enemies cannot take away from Governor Wike is his ability to perform wonderfully well and further restore the confidence of the people in his party that despite its shortcomings, it is a party for Nigerians to rely on. Rivers State is now a reference point for good governance in Nigeria. Let me not shy away that, he is one of the PDP best breed raised. I have no regrets supporting the best material even if we may go separate ways as his track record of performance will continue to speak for him.
The Presidential Candidate of the PDP is banging on his wide popularity and network of friends across the length and breadth of Nigeria as well as the bridges he built for over 30 years since he joined active politics in 1989. Another important factors that may play a key role in the 2023 elections are ethnicity, religion and regional sentiments. Nigeria is no doubt a multi-ethnic nation deeply divided by its diversities and therefore a sense of participation is key in determining the next President of Nigeria. The APC and its Presidential Candidate have fielded a Muslim Southern Presidential and a Northern Muslim Vice Presidential Candidate which has created a loggerhead with the Christians within and outside the ruling APC.
I am a Muslim that sees politics and governance beyond religious angles because these political parties are platforms within elections rather than a religious institutions. Alleged manipulation of taxpayers’ funds and passive corruption are Centrepieces of reference in the current democracy that has the mixture of both the APC and the main opposition PDP. We are yet to see just out of millions of beneficiaries of alleged manipulation of our resources willingly return funds for being a God fearing Muslim or Christian.
To this end, religion is nothing in Nigerian politics other opium to continue the divide and rule as well enslave the lower class. Even the APC Muslim/Muslim ticket is for political advantage considering the Muslim dominated Northern region, this should be in case of the fall into their political trap and vote along religious lines otherwise, there is nothing religious worth discussing.
The only key challenge of Atiku Abubakar before now in Northern Nigeria was President Muhammadu Buhar. Unfortunately, he will not be on the ballot and is a clear danger for the ruling APC to maintain the PMB’s traditional 12m votes since he joined active politics in 2003. Available records have it that before 2015, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina States were completely under the PDP bag including the neighbouring Jigawa and Kebbi States with the exception of Zanfara which has been traditionally under the defunct ANPP. The North currently seem to be rooting and clamouring for Atiku’s Presidency not because he is a Northerner but due to his wide range of acceptance within and outside the country. Nigerians shared his opinion that only a Pan-Nigerian with ideological thinking and dept understanding of the country’s multifaceted nature can take us out of the current predicaments.
Although, the likes of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso are jostling for the Presidency the possibility of winning the required number and 25% in the 24 States is the question and a challenge for the duo. The North Eastern States have been traditionally under PDP with the exception of Yobe and Borno States. Indeed, PMB himself has never won his State of Katsina before 2015 and with massive defections into PDP in the North West, it is clear that it is only Kano that is left with a battle ground. The last visit of the APC Presidential Candidate BAT spoke in high volume that religion is not a priority for the North Western States that have seen the good, the bad and the ugly side of APC, especially where Tinubu himself is seen as a defacto President. North Central States has been a traditional stronghold for the PDP, South-South and South East although Peter Obi is likely to alter the votes from his region the coming of the North West zone will replicate such because this is where Atiku used to find it difficult because of Buhari Presence.
The South South States will be a home for Atiku Abubakar, especially with Governors Patrick Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on the ticket. Governor Wike himself made it clear that he has not decided who his followers will vote for as President, but the advantage Atiku will have even in Rivers State is that his elections are coming on the same day with members of the National Assembly and even if Wike directed them not to vote for AA, it may hardly affect the PDP ballot of which his name is included. Many will vote for Atiku because of the foot soldiers rooting for his Presidency. The South West will be a solid ground for Tinubu, especially with ethnicity bigotries taken the centre stage of campaigns and voting patterns in Nigeria just like the South East that is likely to go for Peter Obi. Atiku will get 25% in South West, He will win some States in the south east just like Tinubu himself will be battling up the North. Although APC may be banging on having 14 States serving Governors in the North, the big question is, How many of such Governors can deliver their States? The funny part is that almost all were beneficiaries of the Northern Political ideology of “SAK” syndrome and with the poor performance of many of them, then the masses will certainly teach some a political lesson.
WIKE’S POLITICAL FATE
Wike’s Political fate is on a dangerous model knowing that what goes around always comes around. Those he is fighting today will live to fight him another day with or without power. This is because then, Wike himself will be a former Governor with less influence and resources. I could remember seating as a student of “Citizenship Education” in my days at the Famous Plateau State Barkin Ladi, Late GNS Pwajok of blessed memory, one of the most brilliant Plateau sons that ever lived, He said something very instructive about the PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar, He is an Institution and a fountain of politics that has lived and survived the huddles of political machineries plot to drain him and his survival is for a reason. May be the reason is to be President of Nigeria (My thoughts). Will Governor Wike live this long and still pull the weights like AA for the next 30 years? No doubt Wike is championing as self political destruction and building for himself a temple of political enemies that will bring his political lifeline to an end after 2023. It is good to be rich, in fact stupendously rich but at the same time understand the limit of power and influence because only God give power.
He has every reason to be angry and retaliates against those he feels have betrayed him but he has no single reason to destroy PDP because everything Wike has and achieved in life is because of PDP. He should rather see himself as an asset that the party will be Counting as the next Presidential Candidate in future elections. Great men like Alex Akweme, Abubakar Rimi and Solomon Lar all of the blessed memory were the brains behind PDP formation but none has the opportunity to be President. Can we say they Labour in vain? Absolutely no, they remain, Nigerian Political heroes, they fought battles to restore democracy in Nigeria. Wike beneficiary of these sacrifices must learn to sacrifice for some of us to be Presidents in the future.
Danaudi, National President of Arewa Youths advocate for Peace and Unity Initiative, Writes from Bauchi via [email protected].
