It's been nearly two years since the 2023 general election, the atmosphere is now cloudy, and the neighborhood is cozy and ...
It's been nearly two years since the 2023 general election, the atmosphere is now cloudy, and the neighborhood is cozy and buzzy as if it's the eve of the 2027 general election. Permutations, consultations and defections are at their peak all in a bid to take power and shape Nigeria's political landscape come 2027.
Politicians already moving helter-skelter looking for assurances and canvasing for support base across the regions. Possible contenders are already lobbying party stalwarts and delegates in their bid to seal their party's ticket or win possible party primaries. In situations like this, one is left wondering if that's what Nigerian politics is all about because no one seems to be providing answers to the question of governance. No one cares about poverty? Quality education? Motorable roads or even good drinking water? Aren't we ready for it?
We witnessed a few surprising and other mind-giggling defections recently across the opposition. El-Rufai's defection to SDP and Okowa's defection to APC was both surprising and mind-dragging. Several lawmakers from the red and green chambers defecting to the ruling party made me question whether we voted for them to govern, or align themselves with the winning team. If at this stage our representatives are eagerly politicking what will be our fate from 2026 to early 2027? Then, I see a failed tenure indeed!
In Kaduna state, for example, the ruling party was faced with a massive defection since the former governor's defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Since then, his loyalists, supporters and former appointees submitted their resignation letters to the ruling party. This tremendously affects the ruling party's support base and conversely, without any significant impact on the opposition—PPP. El-Rufai now runs an independent movement with the support of his inner caucus and seemingly working hard to drag Atiku to the movement. He's working hard to gain momentum and supporters. Why is he not working to join hands in solving the lingering problems of governance?
The situation is however not the same across all states. In Kano, a handful of House of Representatives' members and the senator representing Kano South defected to the ruling party. With two senators out of three in the ruling party, the party chairman and Deputy Senate President will be praised for their impactful acts neglecting their primary assignments.
We get trapped in parties and forget to ask questions about governance. We do not ask questions about poverty. We forget to discuss issues of unemployment. We do not care about economic stability. What about the heartbreaking issues of insecurity? Sadly, No one cares about that.
Is Tinubu afraid of the opposition?
Even though the president had already amassed massive weapons at his disposal, the president is still restless and pressured by the activities of the opposition. He is certain if the opposition is United they'll stand firm, and of course, if they are divided, they'll fall and fail woefully. Maybe, that's why the president is open to welcoming all possible alliances and big names from the opposition. Recently, Senator Kawu, the governor of Delta State and Atiku Abubakar's running mate during the 2023 General election were the big catch.
Politicized projects commissioning...
Politicians now seem to politicize every bit of the project to be commissioned. Everything is now geared toward the 2027 General election with no intention to serve and deliver the mandate entrusted to them. They have since politicized scholarship disbursement, relief packages, educational support and capital projects to popularize a candidate and further seek for a support base. Still, nobody is asking questions about governance.
The Fate of PDP ...
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is internally weak and lacks the requisite manpower to seize power from the ruling party. The internal crisis of the party is stagnating the prosperity and development of the party. Greed will also not allow the party leaders to rally behind a single candidate. This and many other factors proves PDP's fate to be blurry and future uncertain. Serious work is required to save the party from extinction. Is Atiku Abubakar ready to back down and support a consensus candidate?
A possible merger?
A merger is also possible. The Social Democratic Party, some members of the PDP, ADC and possibly the Labour Party are murmuring about a possible merger. The merger if well planned and includes the majority of the opposition will no doubt take the ruling party on a long ride and may even take over power from them.
Does this even bother me? I'm particularly drawn to Governance. Who is ready to govern?
Sani Bello Hamza writes from Zaria.
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