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It no longer matters how the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC resolves the current self-inflicted crisis plaguing the party in practically all the states of the federation. What is clear is that a seed of discord, distrust, vengeance and winner-takes-all mentality might have been sown and it will not get by easily just by a wave of the hand.
If you could take a good look at the crisis in some identifiable states like Imo, Ogun, Kaduna, Rivers and a few others as the aftermath of the party primaries, beneath whatever facade being painted by the Adams Oshiomhole leadership is a conscious resolve to avenge the move by those who opposed his choice as chairman of the party and moved for an extension of the John Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC.
A corollary to this and which is the reality is that a wolf has been brought into the herd of sheep. You can predict what danger lurks ahead in the event that the wolf realises the importance of its environment.
Aside going after perceived enemies and itching eagerly to pay them back in equal coin, Oshiomhole is subtly creating his own cartel of loyalists in the party, because in 2023, he too wants to run for the presidency of Nigeria.
I knew about this shortly after his emergence. That is the impression that President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership has created in everyone wanting to rule Nigeria. The feeling of: ‘I’m a better material’.
Now, you have to be excited-in-wait for the battle ahead, because his clash with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would be unrivalled in the history of Nigeria. Who does not know that Asiwaju had sworn amongst his close-knit political family that even if it was a day he had left to spend on earth, he would rule Nigeria. How great thou art! We’d wait to see it happen.
In fact, when his intentions were brought to the notice of the president, a rather naive Buhari allegedly retorted: ‘How can someone who is not in a position to predict tomorrow project for that long?’ But those around the president had a good laugh as his level of naivety clearly dawned on them. Politicians project even 30 years ahead, he was allegedly told.
Ask outgoing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, at the last meeting he had with Asiwaju and co before the primary, where he was pointedly told to stand down and he refused, one of the sins tabled before him was that he had a 2023 presidential ambition and he was dumbfounded for a long time.
I recall sharing that information with a few people close to me a long time ago and some of them did not believe. Others tried to debate it and asked what was wrong with having such an ambition and I said not with a Tinubu over a matter he considers between life and death.
Now that the going is still smooth, this group of APC conspirators led by Oshiomhole and assisted by Tinubu and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had been going round unleashing their venom before berthing in Ogun State during the recent inconclusive primaries, which was shifted for about three times.
Osinbajo allegedly went to the extent of deploying a Police DIG from Oshodi in Lagos, following the advice from Bourdilon for a clinical delivery of the assignment. The whole plot was against Governor Ibikunle Amosun and what is his sin? He is too close to the President, amongst others.
You may want to ask: who chose Godwin Obaseki for Oshiomhole? Didn’t Tinubu get Ambode out against all odds? What is the place of Osinbajo in the Ogun equation? Oh, enough to be VP?
Whichever way, this is not going to end well and I see a replay of the 2011 scenario, when former governor Gbenga Daniel’s candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, was forced to leave the PDP. Amosun might leave the APC if this crisis is not handled properly. Truth? Neither the VP nor their candidate, Dapo Abiodun can deliver Ogun. Joke of the century. Someone else will reap from their indiscretion.
In effect, the APC might be toying with South-west, which has ceased to be in the hands of one man and which of course will reflect the outcome of these disgraceful tendencies in the general election.
For people like me, it is of course, a thing of joy to see the APC go back to where it came from: the land of liars and the community of fascists. Even where the party plans to rig, the difference in protest votes would be so high that they would need no one to tell them the implications of tampering with the votes.
In the final analysis, what is playing out now is the result of poor leadership – one that is not hands-on and unable to lift a finger in times of crisis. Even the undiscerning warned against the choice of Oshiomhole, because it is not hard to figure out. But since he was considered the baby of the presidency and heavily pushed by Tinubu, it is only fair that they are allowed to live with the consequences of their choice. Fingers crossed!
