Defection Of Delta PDP To APC Is For Stability

The total defection  of Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Governor Sheriff Oborevowori into the All Progressive Congress (APC), can only be news worthy to lazy followers of the complex political matrix in the oil-rich state.

For the record, Delta is the only  state where the unwritten rotational of governorship remains sacrosanct. Starting from 1999, the plum position rotates amongst the three senatorial districts. However, there are tendencies in the political landscape that continue to make efforts to truncate this win-win arrangement. 

However, since the acrimonious PDP primary in 2023, the tendency to alter the rotation has become very ferocious and frightening. This strong force wants another party to produce a governor from Delta Central in 2027.

If  this permutation is given oxygen, there will be a strong likelihood of the district holding gubernatorial seat for twelve uninterrupted years. The effect of this reality is a vicious political instability amongst the federating components of the heterogeneous state.

The antidote was for the political leaders in both South and North senatorial districts to swiftly work with the current governor to migrate fully into the APC. Any insinuation of a bully by President Tinubu to the governor and other leaders of PDP to join APC holds no water. What happened was a deal carved to ensure mutual gains. 

Few weeks ago, Hon Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, poked Abuja Municipal Area  Council Chairman over his  foolery of contesting election under the PDP. He counselled  him that with the leadership crisis, using the flag of a  party with  torn umbrella will be an exercise in futility. This engagement further brought to fore the catastrophe ahead of any person seeking election using the platform of the party. As proactive politicians, the decision to move to APC was not only smart but very timely. 

Another consideration that facilitated the exchange of umbrella for the broom is to ensure political equity in the country. Agreed, the PDP leadership in the state may have miscalculated by supporting Alhaji Abubakar Atiku in 2023 for presidency. This is against the backdrop that the victory of Atiku in that election would have meant a Fulani from the North handling over to another northern Fulani. With Atiku not categorical about his support for a southern presidential candidate in  2027, it became expedient for his followers here to make an early decision. 

Narrow thinkers are the only politicians not aware of grand northern design to stop Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. The increased ferocity in banditry, killings and kidnappings in the middle belt and other places appears a replay of events leading to  the 2015 election that threw Dr. Goodluck Jonathan out of Aso Rock. President Tinubu need not be reminded to consolidate his rating  in the south. It is not mere happenstance that Mr. Nyesom Wike stated he was ready to forgive the embattled Governor of Rivers State, moments after the alleged discreet meeting between Sim Fugbara and President Tinubu in London. 

Aside Delta State, Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Rivers States, will embrace the broom very soon. Last week, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, endorse Godswill Akpabio for another term in the Senate even when they do not belong to the same party. This endorsement is a preclude to his defection  rumoured for next month. The growing support for President Tinubu in the south will be needed elixir to take more difficult but rewarding decisions in the months to come.

With Delta State in the bag, microphone finds Akwa Ibom. Pastor Umo Eno, where are you?

Williams Eghebi is a political commentator who sent in this piece from Agbor, Delta State.

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