Umahi’s defection: Theory of a political strategist

The All Progressives 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 ended months of speculation regarding his relationship with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor confirmed to journalists that he has quit PDP. Umahi served as state party chairman, deputy governor, elected first and currently second term governor of Ebonyi state all on the PDP platform. The above notwithstanding, it is the right of the governor to freely associate with any group (s) of his choice.

The governor said his exit from the PDP to the ruling APC was borne out of his desire for justice, equity and fairness for the people of the South-east. He posited that from 1999 till date, the South-east gave its all to PDP but got nothing in return for the loyalty.

Umahi said 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 Igbo by 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 APC did not come as a surprise to pundits. Since 2017, Umahi’s flesh was in PDP while his heart, soul and mind were in APC.

The governor had in subtle alliance with APC sometime ago issued a stern warning that nobody in his government should criticise President Muhammadu Buhari and his government.

The performance of Umahi in delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Ebonyi is not in contention. The governor has done well for his people and adjudged the best in South-east. Many people-oriented infrastructural projects dotting 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 nomads 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 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 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 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 PDP had his younger brother planted as the zonal vice chairman of PDP in the 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 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. Moreover, the South-east has been deprived of occupying the highest office in the land after other three major regions have had their shots.

In fact, the South-east 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 the 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 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 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 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 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 rotational 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 the South-east presidency.

If being president answers regional questions; the poverty index, rising insecurity in the North would have disappeared with President 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.

Eze, publisher thenewinsightng.blogspot.com, writes via sunnyeze02 @yahoo.com, 08060901201.

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