In a situation a sitting governor, his deputy, his godfather, all cabinet members, all chairmen of Local Governments, others defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)in a matching order, I guess, all in a day. Could this be the kind of democracy the people of Delta state desired? Was this part of the manifestos of Governor Sheriff Oborovwerii to the people of Delta state when he was campaigning? Definitely, no. That means something must be fishing somewhere because there can't be any smoke without fire.
Anyway, the fear of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) is the beginning of wisdom for mis sitting governor's, especially those in the opposition. It's nothing impossible that the fear of the axe of the dreaded anti graft body dangling, allegedly, on Oborovweri's predecessor and godfather, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa regarding the huge billions of naira spent to fund 2023 presidential election which saw him as a running mate to former Vice president Atiku Abubakar, and part of which was also allegedly spent on Oborovweri's governorship election and other elections in the state, all for personal political gains and firm grip of the oil rich state. If not, the gale of defection ravaging the country's political landscape couldn't have been that massive in Delta state episode as it was recently witnessed. The defection raised an alarm as to whether what's called conscience really exists among Nigerian politicians. Or what can we call what happened in the state? A kind of politics or democracy not nurtured by conscience or principle? I think, yes .
As a matter of fact, the magical power of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in consuming the oppositions knows no bounds, and very powerful as well. And will spare no geopolitical zone, and before 2027 general elections, the hitherto strong political parties that could have , perhaps, stood on the way of APC would have been suffocated , and their territories occupied in a tactical political manner that will leave the country with no option other than remain with the ruling APC because all other political parties might have been reduced to toothless dogs that can only bark, but not bite.
And in any government without a stiff opposition, the voice of the voiceless can never be heard. And before we know it, there will be political lawlessness in the land, uninterrupted aiye oloba (impunit). Although, it may all be momentary , the deeds may have been done to the huge disadvantage of the entire citizenry , except with the exemption of the few who are in the power class or directly or indirectly connected to the powers that be.
Without deceiving ourselves, it's obvious the hitherto strong Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has become a house divided against itself since the now Mayor of Abuja, Nyesome Wike has used his power and might to cause confusion in the party during the last general elections. The leadership battle keeps raging. Then, things have completely falling apart, and centre has refused to hold till date. The obvious anti party activities of Wike and few others in the party could be said to be largely responsible for the reason Atiku Abubakar lost in the last presidential election. Now, a party that was in control of power for years has now been reduced to the one gasping for breath, a mighty building reduced to rubbles, waiting to be packed in to the APC's trash can ahead 2027 general elections, unless miracle happens which is doubtful.
The same fate could also be said to have bedeviled the Labour Party (LP) now as peace is yet to reign since leadership tussle started just immediately after 2023 general elections which saw its candidate, Peter Obi suddenly capture the political atmosphere like whirlwind, giving both the winner of the election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC, now the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and PDP' Atiku Abubakar the toughest fight of their lives.
However, if anyone is still expecting a repeat of the giant stride and courage demonstrated by the Obidients movement then that saw Peter Obi close to victory then in the next elections, the person should better wake up from his or her sleep or slumber because that era is gone, and that's forever. The fact remains that the party can not come out of its leadership crisis before 2027. As it is now, the only state the party is controlling may even slip off into the waiting hands of the APC that's ready to reduce Nigeria to one party state. Till then, ire o!
By Tade Asifat, publisher, The Message International Magazine.
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