Opinion: Gov. Umahi’s Defection: Theory Of A Political Strategist – By SUNDAY EZE
The All Progressive Congress (APC) no doubt has caught a big fish and is gradually consolidating on its lost political grounds in the south east with the unveiling of governor Dave Umahi to stakeholders of the party in Abakaliki last week.
This has put paid to months of speculation regarding his relationship with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
In a press conference at the government house Abakaliki; the governor confirmed that he has parted ways with his former party – the PDP. Dave Umahi you may wish to know served as state party chairman, deputy governor, elected first and currently second term governor of Ebonyi state all under the platform of the PDP. The above notwithstanding, it is the right of the governor to freely associate with any group (s) of his choice.
According to the governor, his exit from the PDP to the ruling All Progressive Congress was borne out of his desire for justice, equity and fairness for the people of south east. He posited that from 1999 till date, the south east gave its’ all to the Peoples Democratic Party but has got nothing in return for the loyalty and unalloyed support to the party.
Umahi stated that; he wants to be a martyr who will be sacrificed to achieve the much-sought Igbo presidency. “I have to lead the protest against the marginalisation of the Igbos by the PDP and I don’t have to consult anybody to lead such a protest,” he concluded The new found love and romance between the governor and the ruling APC did not come as a surprise to pundits. Since 2017 or thereabout, Umahi’s flesh was in PDP while his heart, soul and mind had a long time ago found a dwelling place in APC.
The governor had in subtle alliance with APC sometime ago issued a stern warning that nobody in his government should criticise the president and his government. The performance of Dave Umahi in delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of Ebonyi is not in contention. It is on good authority that the governor has done well for his people and also adjudged as the best in south east. Many people oriented infrastructural projects doting the landscape of Ebonyi are the hallmarks of his knack for good governance.
While many states were hoarding COVID -19 palliatives; he was among a few governors reported to have given food to the poor when they were hungry.
However, a well defined ideology guiding actions and behaviour is one thing in short supply in Nigerian politics and among politicians.
They are political nomards in search of greener pastures as dictated by their selfish desires and seasonal personal political aggrandisement. Nigerian politicians often think they can succeed in making a fool of everyone.
Their political interests are often wrapped in regional, nationalistic or patriotic garbs. The governor who has now assumed the political warrior of the south east people was a prominent member of PDP for years but found nothing absurd in the undignified way and manner the region was treated by the party until now. What a new discovery! The governor’s romance with APC points to a grand design to survive and remain politically relevant come 2023. It was every inch a personal political decision with no semblance of any regional interest.
Is Umahi’s defection actually justice driven for the south east or a political survival strategy? In fact, this is the new theory of a political strategist. He who goes to equity should appear with clean hands they say. But the governor who brandishes the card of justice and fairness as a justification for dumping the PDP had his younger brother planted as the Zonal Vice Chairman of PDP in south east.
Considering the fact that the ruling party or PDP has not zoned any political positions yet, what is the rationale for joining APC which has not explicitly defined its position. It is hard to phantom the reason why Umahi could not complete his second tenure under the banner of the PDP when he is not interested in the presidency come 2023.
The decision to defect was not unconnected with angling for the position of the vice president. Those who are clamouring for the south east presidency are free to engage, mobilise and advocate. It is in the interest of equity and fairness. This is because the zone has eminently qualified individuals to become president of Nigeria.
More over, the south east has been marginalised and deprived of occupying the highest office in the land after other three major regions have had their shots. Sadly, none of the major political parties will field a presidential candidate from the south east region. Zoning of the position of the president is/will be predicated on account of political exigencies and survival not on abundant qualities and qualification of individuals from the region.
In fact, the south east region as it is composed is disadvantaged when it comes to contestation for the presidency slot. Politics is a game of numbers.
Does the region have the number to contend with others if the presidency is zoned to it? There is even no unity of purpose among internal interest groups. How much political trust exists between south east and other regions to elicit support? Is there any robust political alignment and re-alignment maintained by the south east with other regions?
The region’s leaders are very much aware of the skewed nature of Nigerian politics against the region but have failed to address the areas of comparative advantage to better the lots of the people. Most of them run after senatorial and vice presidential slots after completing their tenures as governors and do not envisage a better future for the region. The key to growth and development of Nigeria and the eastern region is anchored on true fiscal federalism (devolution of powers, total restructuring) and good governance.
However, their quest for personal political excellence has dwarfed the overall regional interests. The south east deserves more from Nigeria if the mouthed unity is anything to go by. However, the zone should press for better reforms in the polity, build sincere bridges across other regions starting with the north. Having a president come from a certain region does not necessarily bring about the desired change and development expected by that region.
This has to be clearly put in the right perspective. The powers at the centre are too enormous to the extent that states are more or less appendages. Ensuring that state institutions effectively work without let or hindrance to drive policies of government should top our priority. When that becomes the approach and emphasis; every other thing will naturally fall in place. And even the drive for regional presidency will become unattractive. As it is, the country does not seem to work for and in the interest of all.
This has led to all sorts of agitations including demand for south east presidency. Truth be told that even regions that have held the exalted position have worse developmental issues to contend with. If being president answers regional questions; the poverty index, rising wave of insecurity in the north would have disappeared with President Muhammadu Buhari on the saddle and others before him.
Once again, ensuring that state institutions effectively work without let or hindrance to drive policies of government and embracing true fiscal federalism is the only way to rediscover a greater Nigeria or even greater south east.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, a Media and Communication Specialist is the publisher: thenewinsightng.blogspot.com. He writes via sunnyeze02 @yahoo.com and could be reached on 08060901201.
