APC ON VERGE OF DISINTEGRATION?

Today, things are clearly not rosy for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since the party held its convention two months ago, and John Odigie Oyegun emerged as its chairman, news from the party has not been encouraging to  those hoping that Nigeria will  have  a virile alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP).

Just as political pundits predicted, the outcome of the convention practically tore the party apart. Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi who announced the formation of the party to Nigerians with some degree of pride has passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the party. He said he could not return the form he filled to contest for the chairmanship of the party, apparently because the leaders were determined to ensure he did not emerge as party chairman. He hinted after the convention that he is already discussing with the rival parties because what happened in APC did not happen in the much criticised PDP in the past. In plain Language, he meant the PDP is better than APC.

Influential and wealthy former governor of the much troubled Borno State, Modu Ali Sheriff who practically financed the registration of the party has made it public that he is consulting with his followers nationwide on what step to take next after the convention. Like Ikimi, he said he was not wanted in the party. There are clear hints that Sheriff has concluded plans to return to PDP.

What is more, the outcome of the convention witnessed only Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola,  attending the inauguration of chairman Oyegun and members of the newly selected/elected  National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. If the news that filtered out from the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party is to be believed, APC governors challenged the leadership of the party for the first time when the chairman of APC Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okrocha told former Governor of Lagos, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to hold his breath on the membership of the committee to conduct primary election for party officers. Okorocha, on behalf of the APC governors told the meeting that it has been decided that one of themselves would be chairman of the committee. The story, which was never denied, said Tinubu, Buhari and other ‘founders of the party’ were taken aback by the sudden position of the governors. Report said Tinubu walked out of that meeting in frustration and the important thing was that the governors had their way.

Apart from a poorly attended NEC meeting and another meeting of elders that made unbelievable position of the party known over Ekiti election, the party has almost gone comatose compared to the impressive activities of the party after its formation. There was APC Governors Forum that was never short of holding one event or the other. There were symposiums, weeklong programmes and visits of APC governors to troubled sports in Borno State with wide publicity. What has happened to the virile APC Governors Forum after the convention of the party? Why is it that Nigerians no longer hear much from APC governors? How many times did APC governors publicly identify with Oyegun since his selection/ election as the party chairman? Are things going awry for the party?

As if all that was not enough, the party lost Ekiti State election to Peter Ayodele Fayose, the candidate of the rival PDP last month. Nigerians were pleasantly surprised when the APC candidate, incumbent Governor John Kayode Fayemi congratulated Fayose and promised to work with him to ensure a smooth transition. Many celebrated and described it as a breath of fresh air. But the party leaders and two of its governors shocked Nigerians few days after the principal personalities involved in the election accepted the result and assured Nigerians that it was the dawn of a new era in Nigerian politics.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos used acerbic words and uncivil language to describe the winner of the election. Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola who is contesting election in less than a month from now also resorted to foul language to describe the outcome of the election. Many political observers held their breath, hoping that the party would back Fayemi and win for itself the sympathy of many Nigerians.

When the party leaders met two weeks ago, the position of the party came as a shock. The party supported the position of Governors Fashola and Aregbesola and practically upturned the position of Governor Fayemi. Fayemi said he will not challenge the result of the election in court, the party said it will go to court. Fayemi said he will work with Fayose in the interest of peace in Ekiti State, the party said light and darkness cannot work together.

While the party was still whining on the Ekiti election result, legislators in Adamawa struck. Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy were swept out of office by political hurricane. In Nasarawa State, Governor Al Makura was served with impeachment notice last week. Trouble is coming after the party from all fronts.

Why did it appear as if the hitherto solid and intimidating structure of the party is crumbling? Why does it seem to political watchers that the party is being abandoned by other stakeholders for the Tinubu and Buhari forces in the party?

Sources said the governors that decamped from PDP to APC initially had the impression boosted by assurances from party leaders that they were all equal members and joiners and that any member can aspire to any position in the party. It therefore came as a surprise  to the governors and other leaders outside Tinubu and Buhari political enclaves when they were told at the most critical time of taking decision on who emerges as party chairman that there is no way the founding fathers of the party will not have their way. The statement was purportedly made by the respected General Muhammadu Buhari. According to a source high up in the party, that singular comment edged out many independent minded members of the party.

“Tell me why a party like the APC should insist on picking candidates for sensitive offices through consensus and not election by delegates? We all witnessed the PDP doing their thing in the past. The defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) also held primaries. How can some people claim to be party leaders and founding fathers of the party and insist that the party will not go through primaries? Were they afraid of defeat? Do they expect the calibre of people that joined the party as governors or leaders in their own right to accept to be politically subservient to some tin gods? My brother, that is a pipe dream,” the source said.

For now, the move to unite the party is still going on. The party need a lot of luck before the 2015 general election. No experienced politician will envy the position of the party right now.

Source: Daily Newswatch