Saturday 1 June 2013

Delta 2015: Understanding the APC Dynamics

1st JUNE 2013 

The politics of Nigeria is currently witnessing a tsunami kind of realignment. The coming together of the ACN, CPC, ANPP and a faction of APGA and Sen. Ewehrido\\\'s hijacked group of the DPP


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Author: By Prince Afoke Okporua
The politics of Nigeria is currently witnessing a tsunami kind of realignment. The coming together of the ACN, CPC, ANPP and a faction of APGA and Sen. Ewehrido\\\'s hijacked group of the DPP to form All progressive Congress (APC) has greatly perturbed the ruling party (PDP) to some extent and also rekindled hope in the minds of some Nigerians who feel that the PDP is but a conglomeration of selfish politicians whose stock in trade is pillaging of the people\\\'s resources to the detriment of the country\\\'s future.

For me, this article is not about Nigeria, but the APC vis a vis Delta State. As Deltans, I solemnly believe that we should be circumspect as to which political basket we should put our eggs in 2015.

The major factor in my own calculation goes beyond ending the infamous rule of the PDP in Delta State. First, can Deltans trust the APC as the party that can restore normalcy in all angles? The calibre of persons that make up the political configuration of the APC, leaves much to be desired and contemplated. They are controversial, suspicious and with high degree of questionable history for Deltans, especially Urhobos to trust, as 2015 draws closer. Prof. Wole Soyinka said, \\\" no matter how minute in factor an individual may be in the factors that make up history,  he remains a factor\\\". These men have in one way or the other contributed to our national quagmire, they are part of the economic crisis, infrastructural underdevelopment, political imbroglio, and administrative hulaballoo that has crippled Nigeria. They were once part of the brains that is necessitating unemployment cum youth restiveness in Nigeria, they are accountable for a high percentage of brain drain and capital flight in Nigeria, they are greatly accountable for why our national resources have not brought greatness to this country and her citizens. From Tinubu of the ACN to Buhari of CPC and Ogbonnaya Onu of ANPP down to Owelle Rochas Okorocha of APGA, the APC is a fellowship of birds with dangerous claws.

Tinubu, the leader of ACN is a first class democratic dictator. Everything about the party revolves around him, no member has a say once Tinubu has spoken, his words are but martial laws. He imposes candidates at will and decides how the political economy of all ACN controlled States are run. He is the Commissioner of all Commissioners, Governor of all Governors, legislator of all legislators. In 2011, Tinubu vowed that Fashola will not go for a second term as Governor of Lagos State without any justifiable reason. Not even the entreaties of party men prevailed on him. He however, allowed Fashola when he saw that Lagos State will fall to PDP, should the candidature of Fashola fails. Is this the kind of progressive, Deltans should have faith in?

Buhari, the self acclaimed octopus of the CPC lacks democratic credentials. He, through the barrel of the gun, toppled a democratic government in 1983 and forced himself on Nigerians. He is the father of religious fanaticism in Nigerian politics, his comments of late are unbecoming of a Statesman. Till date, Buhari can\\\'t provide answers as to why all PTF projects during his era were concentrated in the North. It is this same Buhari, who opted to put a full grown human being in a crate and bring him into Nigeria in the name of trial, instead of him to seek international co-operation and extradite the fellow. Our democratic institutions are witnessing support and constitutional backing, it will be suicidal to have another Obasanjo.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu\\\'s ANPP has performed dismally in Borno and Yobe States. These States account for more of the Boko Haram menace. Under Onu\\\'s party, so many christians and churches have been destroyed and miamed. The party has allowed insecurity in Nigeria to thrive and spread, despite the billions they collect monthly as security vote.

Owelle Rochas Okorocha is renownd for being a democratic pun. In 2003, when the move to push OBJ out of Aso rock climaxed, it was him that helped Obasanjo destroy the opposition then. He greatly contributed to the failure of the ANPP, as at then to hold a successful convention/primaries. In some quarters, Rochas is alleged to be a charity fraudster. He is accused of collecting money from international organizations and NGO\\\'s in the name of helping the poor in Nigeria,  only to divert a large chunk of the funds for personal aggrandizement. Despite the fact that the allegations are without concrete proof, the controversies surrounding Rochas are startling and disturbing.

Charity begins at home. A cursory look at the APC gladiators and their characters shows uncertainty. How progressive are these progressives? Is it not a fool who will boast of giving out what he/she don\\\'t have in the first place? The APC will surely want to penetrate Delta State in 2015 and harness the State as one of their expansionist dividends. Deltans and indeed Urhobos, should look before they leap, the APC is a congregation of men whose antecedents are not progressive in any way. The rat and the cat have never prosecuted any war successfully without one devouring the other. As they say; “Warsaw never saw war until war came to Warsaw”.

As 2015 approaches, Deltans and Urhobos mostly, must be wise. We must see the APC as a movement dominated by political opportunist, extremist and capitalist. Our experience, pains and political voyage with catastrophic discoveries will definitely worsen, if we decide to experiment with the APC. Nigeria\\\'s political history is replete with tales of woe, when it comes to mergers and alliances of political nature, the coming together of politicians with distinct political ideas and history is bound to boomerang as a serial politiacal chameleon, who is backed by a political confusionist, can\\\'t have a successful political marriage with a bloodthirsty political extremist, that is backed by political capitalist.

Deltans must be careful not to be betrayed and placed in a canoe of circumstances. The devil you know is better than the angel you don\\\'t know.

Finally, I apologise to all my readers for the long silence. Some of you called and others sent sms, wanting to know what’s happening. I have been busy with National Youth Council of Nigeria election and politics, I am still busy and will be away for some time but as always, I am still solidly devoted to the struggle to liberate our dear State from the Uduaghanomic tendencies.

Comr. Prince Afoke Okporua
        08037186189.

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