Wike on Self Political destruction? By: Sani Danaudi Mohammed

Wike on Self Political destruction?  

By: Sani Danaudi Mohammed

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 don not  believe their own words and those who believe them do so at the cost of their own 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 wipe out the party from the political scenes of Nigeria having lost power at the center in 2015.His recent actions,remarks and attitudes towards a political party that fed him contradicts his earlier stand of been 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 that has Seyi Makinde of Oyo,Samuel Ortom of Benue,Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Okizie Ikpeazu of Abia States have continue to clamour for the party's National Chairman Resignation.This conflict has continue 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 affects the chances of the party in it bid to return to power after 8 years of President Muhammadu Buhari of the rulling All Progressive Congress.This is because of the autocratic tendencies and emperor leadership style of most of the Nigerian Governors that cannot be overlook .His refusal to accepts plea and reconciliation from high and mighty within the PDP is no doubt setting the party on a danger 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 waring parties together has not yielded any positive results,One may concludes 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 of the principles of equity, justice, and fairness the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of 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 manage and minimize.

The one Nigeria in word does not exist in action,The political elites themselves have continue to incubate hatred and separatism to their followers and Kings men for personal political benefits at the detriment of millions of Nigerians.They have succeeded in infusing hatred to the ordinary Nigerians on ground 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 their table,Quality education,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 own syndrome".

Though,Wike's Camp and host of other Nigerians have continue to bang on the zoning principle that was scuttled at 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 abused of the foundations and principles of which the party was formed to give each and very 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 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 zone to allow the spirit of inclusivity within the Six Geopolitical zones, Nigerians does not have a bye commision 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 is that,After 8 years of power in the North or South,the next President should come from the other zone.

Recall that,in 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 in 2015.The abused of this Cardinal objective of the party is still itching many including Wike himself.By this implications,The party has not breach 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 advocate for power shift to either South East,North Central or North East been 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 enabled 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 burry their differences to work for the party's victory and its Presidential Candidate in 2023.

Key note among the ongoing conversation is whether or not the Wike's Camp may likely affects the chances of the main opposition PDP in the next elections.It may and it may not depending on the decisions of Nigerians who decide the fate of Nigeria with their PVCs.The Nigerian voters does not give a hood to the zone where the National Chairman comes from.This Ayu's scenerio coming from the same region with 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 him 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 a ratification by the party's NEC unless expediency may be apply 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 the Former President Goodluck Jonathan the anointed Wike godfather.The Governors in his bag may have little or no impact in the outcome of the elections as they are been Chase 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 certain percentage of votes of their States. 

The supremacy of the votes is completely with the electorates who will go to the polls with the notion of voting a Candidate that will priorities their future through improve Security,education,health and wellbeing by introducing sound economic measures that has 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 PRP candidate is a clear indication that the will of the people will decide the next President of Nigeria.

All other Presidential Candidates that participated at 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 like he has done to his friend Dele.

The question is that,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 adhere to ,then it should have been either South East,North Central and North East because they are the only Geopolitical zones that have not benefited from these triplets elements of Power sharing.The committee that recommended to 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

Personally,I endorsed and rooted for him as Atiku's running mate leading my team with my energy and resources. His in ability 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 been the right choice for Atiku Abubakar.We were guieded by his successes as an Executive Governor of Rivers State and his sacrifices for party and Nigerians.One thing ,even his political enemies cannot take away from Governor Wike is ability to performed wonderfully well and further restore the confidence of the people on his party that despite its shortcomings,it is a party for Nigerians to rely on.Rivers State now a reference point to 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 widely popularity and network of friends across the length and breath of Nigeria as well as the bridges he built for over 30 years since he joined active politics in 1989. Another important factor that may play 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 has fielded a Muslim Southern Presidential and a Northern Muslim Vice Presidential Candidates which has created a loggerhead with the Christians within and outside the ruling APC.

I am a Muslim that sees politics and governance beyond religion angles because these political parties are platforms of within elections rather than a religious institutions. Alleged manipulation of tax payers funds and passive corruption are Center piece 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 beneficiaries of alleged manipulation of our resources willingly returns funds for been been a God fearing Muslim of Christians.

To this end, religion is nothing in the Nigerian politics other an 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 the fall into their political trap and votes along religion 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 a clear danger for the ruling APC to maintain the PMB's traditional 12m votes since he joined active politics in 2003. Available records has it that before 2015, Kaduna,Kano and Katsina States where completely under the PDP bag including the neighboring Jigawa and Kebbi States with the exception of Zanfara that 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 acceptance within and outside the country.Nigerians shared his opinion that only a Pan-Nigerian with an ideological thinking and dept understanding of the country 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 but the possibility of winning the require 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.It is true that 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 a battle ground.The last visit of the APC Presidential Candidate BAT has spoke in high volume that religion is not a priority for the North Western States that have seen the good ,the bad and ugly side of APC especially where Tinubu himself is seen as a defacto President.North Central States have been traditionally strong hold for the PDP, South South and South East although Peter Obi likely to alter the votes from his region but the coming of the North West zone will replicate such because this is where Atiku used 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 as President,but the advantage Atiku will have even in  Rivers State is that his elections is 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 effect 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 center stage of campaigns and voting pattern in Nigeria just like the South East that is likely to go for Peter Obi. Atiku will definitely 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 that ,How many of such Governors have the capacity to 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 danger model knowing that what goes around always come 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 student of "Citizenship Education" in my days at the Famous Plateau State Barkin Ladi ,Late GNS Pwajok of blessed memory, one of the brilliant Plateau son that ever lived,He said something that was very intructive 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, infact stupendously rich but at the same time understands 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 achieve 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 the future elections. Great men like Alex Akweme, Abubakar Rimi and Solomon Lar all of blessed memory were the brain behind PDP formation but none has the opportunity to be President. Can we say they Labour in vein? Absolutely no, the remain Nigerian Political heroes they fought battles to restore democracy in Nigeria.Wike a 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 danaudicomrade@gmail.com.