By Columbus Akalonu
On May 11, 2021, the 17 governors of the Southern Region met at Asaba, the capital of Delta State where they reached agreement on national issues. That meeting was historic and timely.
Subsequently, they met in Lagos State on July 5, 2021 where they opined that political parties should Zone Presidential tickets to Southern Nigeria.
The 17 Governors of Southern Nigeria on Thursday, September 16, 2021, converge on Enugu State, for their third meeting that year. Issues of restructuring, zoning and economy took the centre stage.
Critical stakeholders however, warned the governors not to allow Nigerians to perceive their meetings as a “mere gathering” where empty threats or resolutions are made.
They said the governors should deploy better strategies by involving their representatives in the National Assembly, engage the State Houses of Assembly and also seek collaborations of socio-cultural and political organisations, to get their aim and objectives achieved.
As events unfolds, it appears that the Southern Governors Forum were only interested in their individual interests rather than the collective will of Southerners centered on equity and fairness.
Many pundits hold the view that the demand of Southern Governors Forum would have been realistic if they micro zoned the Presidency to South-East, their resolutions would have hold water but greed and selfish interests persuaded their call and they became a house divided among itself.
The People's Democratic Party concluded their primary where Atiku Abubakar from North East won. Before then Peter Obi who is from South East resigned his membership due to certain irregularities.
Some argued that Peter Gregory Obi would have stayed back till the end while others think it would have been effort in futility if he stayed back. Those who understood Party politics will agree that once delegate lists have been hijacked, the game is finished. It is perceived that Governor Nyesom Wike used his anchor man Chris Uba and National Secretary; Senator Samuel Anyanwu to hijack the delegate list of Anambra at the detriment of Peter Obi and majority of PDP faithfuls in Anambra.
Prior to the primary election, a former Secretary General of the Federation; Anyim Pius Anyim wrote several letters to the National Chairman of PDP; Senator Ayu to inform him of the irregularities regards to the delegate lists of Ebony State which was hijacked by the office of the national secretary in favour if Nyesom Wike.
Such scenario played out in Imo State too before a certain Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere took the party to court until the matter was resolved.
What Wike did with collaboration of his anchors was to hijack the delegate lists of South East States especially those without sitting governors of PDP.
Abnitio, Wike fought the then national chairman; Uche Secondus. His reason is not far fetched. He taught the South especially the South-South won't have the National Chairman and Presidential candidate. The event of today have taught him that it possible.
At the venue of PDP national convention, Governor Aminu Tambulwa stepped down for Atiku to pave way for a northern candidate. Atiku didn't hijack the delegate lists from States of other presidential aspirants rather he seeked their supports which gave him victory. I believe Wike will learn from this if he wishes.
If PDP wants to win the 2023 election, it is imperative for Atiku to unite the PDP across the country. Within the past few months, Nyesom Wike divided the party, using his footsoldiers in the NWC.
As mentioned earlier, the PDP in Imo State enjoyed Peace before the emergence of the National Secretary. The divisions and irregularities He brought to the party almost hindered the party from not having candidates in the general elections.
In Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, the National Secretary wanted to impose one Gorge Igbo who eventually got 1 vote during the primary while Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Micheal took the rest. It is not wise to impose unpopular candidates on the people.
In Democratic settings, Party politics is an avenue to deepen democracy and not to thwart the wishes of the people. If you loose, you loose gallantly, not when the entire system is manipulated to favor unpopular aspirants.
The PDP NWC and the candidate of the party; Atiku Abubakar must go around and call back leaders of the party who were chased out with brazen impunity. The party must unite going into elections.
For some of us who still care about conscience and integrity, A South East President like Peter Obi would have been the yardstick through posterity will measure the sincerity of purpose of those who truly care about Nigeria's future!
Nothing would have unify Nigeria, reduce the unrest and give South East a full sense of belonging than having a President from South East but as it stands, the Southern brothers are the core enemies of South East.
~ Columbus Akalonu writes from FCT Abuja.
