Since the return to democratic governance in 1999, Akwa Ibom State like many other states in the country, especially the South-South region, has remained under the firm control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In fact, here in Akwa Ibom State, time was when it was commonly chorused that “PDP is Akwa Ibom and Akwa Ibom is PDP”. Wherever one turned, the reality dawned. The party in the state was the be-all-and-end-all. A rallying point. It was, if I must add, the beginning and the ending. It was the Primus inter pares. Other parties trembled and bowed in humble obeisance at the mention of the party. It was that deep-rooted.
I recall how former Governor Akpabio’s supporters, thinking he was contesting for Senate on the platform of the PDP since it was almost a “religion” voted the umbrella massively in 2018, waited for the votes to be sorted and counted.
At the end of the day, they headed to the residence of now Senator Akpabio, dancing and rejoicing that they have “delivered” the uncommon transformer. But a curious fellow asked them the symbol they voted, they heartily chorused, “ufuk eyo”, umbrella in English. Unknown to them, Akpabio had defected and the symbol of his new party was broom. That error contributed to his loss of the senate seat to Engr. Chris Ekpenyong. The rest, they say, is history now.
Other parties did not hesitate to catch a cold when PDP sneezed. To borrow few lines from our immediate-past President, from top to bottom, it was PDP. Little wonder then that it was easily concluded that the PDP is a religion in Akwa Ibom State. It was an anthem of sorts. So, at elections, other political parties were merely bystanders. Though they would participate in the elections but more often than not, their input was merely to sign the result sheets to achieve some authentication at the close of polls.
But all that, this essayist wagers, is about to end in the next election cycle except there is any last minute twist that may cause the pendulum to swing back to the direction of the age-long tradition where the umbrella reigned supreme.
Well, at least until a video clip made its way to the public where Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, during a two-day project review meeting held at Government House, Uyo, with members of the State Executive Council made it clear that he was on his way to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the matter was seen as a rumour.
The governor did not mince words even with his trademark soft, somewhat effeminate voice by announcing to any of his EXCO member who would not defect with him to tender their resignation letters, as he will not have someone in his “first eleven” play opposition or have one leg in the PDP or another. To him, that will be anti-party activities, hence he will not condone such or abide such double face.
Said the governor at the closed-door State Executive Council meeting: It is no longer a secret. Anybody who claims not to know about my decision is still living in the 18th century,” the governor reportedly said. “Appointees must choose now—come with me or leave the stage. For elected officials, that’s another matter, but I won’t tolerate disloyalty.” Until the cat was let out of the bag in a manner that had left bitter tastes in the mouths of many a politician and stakeholders alike, the rumour mill thrived to no end. The governor’s defection reigned kingly in the realms of rumour. Though he had at various times and events, used different analogies to give hints of his plans, not everyone was certain or willing to accept the obvious couched, until recently, in metaphorical and philosophical anecdotes.
Though the said leaked video was not meant for public consumption, the deed has already been done. So, for those who became Thomasses, that has become history. It is now clear as daylight that Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD, will, in no too long a time, jump ship, from the unstable and trouble-infested Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country. This is no more a rumour but a statement of fact steeped in finality.
So, previously an impregnable stronghold and mainstay of the Peoples Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom State, will, in a matter of weeks, if not days, become an APC state, becoming the next South-South state after Delta to align with the centre. Recall that not long ago, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori defected along with his predecessor and godfather, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa, his cabinet and the entire structure of the PDP to the All Progressives Congress with pomp and panoply.
Until that defection, Delta State like Akwa Ibom, was a PDP State since 1999 with past and successive governors emerging from the umbrella platform. So, with the now expected defection of Governor Umo Eno, all but one South-South State of Bayelsa would have become an APC enclave. How long can Bayelsa manage the umbrella? Can Governor Douye Diri withstand the tidal waves? Time will tell.
These waves of defections have led to fears that the nation is fast losing the voice of a virile opposition, hence sending dangerous signals that the nation may descend into a one-party country.
To fuel the fears, the national chairman of the APC and former governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, recently backed a one-party system in the country when receiving three senators from Kebbi State who left the PDP to pitch tent with the ruling APC recently.
Said he: “If a one-party state is a wish and blessing to Nigeria, then so be it. A one-party state is not by force.
“It is by negotiation, and it is by parties seeing the effect of the positive governance of our party. If they decide to come to our party willingly, I think there is nothing wrong with that.”
To back up his position, he used China as an example of a country practising a one-party system. “Today, China is one of the most powerful countries in the world, and it is a one-party state.”
Though the party came out to clear the air, dispelling rumours that it plans to turn the country into a one-party state, recent developments in the political turf have done little to convince political watchers that it is not the intention of the ruling APC. The wave of defections are legion. As at the last count, about 83 senators have defected from other political parties to the All Progressives Congress since 2023. It was the late millionaire businessman Senator Ifeanyi Uba of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) that commenced what could later lead to a full-blown defection spree of top political office-holders in the country to board the APC somewhat Special Purpose Vehicle. “Political parties are just platforms to contest election, Governor Umo Eno has maintained that at every forum.
So, is there a possibility that a one-party system may be feasible in Nigeria? Opinion on this is sharply divided as there are some who are in support of it, especially those of the APC, while others are vehemently opposed to the idea, insisting that if such happens, not only would opposition which is a key component in democracy be decimated, the country will be operating on the risk of not having any checks on the excesses of the ruling party, because all those who should point out areas of concerns are in bed together, hence whatever policies are thrown up, no matter how unfriendly and suffocating it may appear, the citizens will have no choice but swallow it hook, line and sinker.
While the gale of defections continues almost unabated, this writer quickly reminds politicians and non-initiates not to slip into panic. Defections are not new. They have always been there, and it will not stop, at least not within the slippery context of Nigerian political circuit. Politicians will always move parties. It is a circus. No party has any known or clearly defined ideology here. Parties remain vehicles to contest elections in Nigeria, so for the major players, so long as where they are leaving to will guarantee their victory at the next polls or strengthen their grip on their seat or state, they will not bat an eyelid before moving to where their bread is better buttered.
So, in the coming weeks and months, there certainly will be more defections, especially as we inch closer to another election cycle. Politicians, ever calculative and strategic, will always leave nothing to chance as far as election contests are concerned. Beyond the defections which have become a daily affair owing majorly to the fragmentations and fissures in the main opposition parties, PDP, Labour Party and the rest, which many believe are orchestrated by the ruling APC, there are ongoing talks and plans to float a coalition that will challenge the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC government.
Will the merger see the light of day? No one can say with certainty given the litany of interests that are to be accommodated, the sharing formula and all. But it must be recalled that it took a merger of four political parties to form the APC that took power from the PDP who had held the reins of power for 16 years. So, if the major gladiators align their interest calculatively and timeously, they may give the ruling APC a run for their money in the 2027 sweepstakes. But can they merge their interests amicably and present a solid, yet watertight common front agsinst the All Progressives Congress under the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu? This may seem a very tall order, but we are told never to say never in life. In politics moreover, anything is possible. Isn’t it?
So, as Nigeria gears up to mark its 26 years of unbroken democracy, we must be wary of actions and discourses that tend to push the narrative of a one-party state. Nigeria is simply not ripe enough to swim in such inconvenient boat. We still have a country at present where individuals wield and flex more powers than institutions. So, imagine a situation where there is only one party calling all the shots across the country, anarchy will be in full throttle, and the country will further slip into a state of anomy where a few decide our fate with benumbing arrogance and unrestrained impunity.
Democracy for now, remains the best bet for a beleaguered country as ours. We must therefore uphold with tenacity and wit the tools and dynamics that make it tick, even when the hopes of Nigerians continue to fade on account of policy somersaults, troublous elections and mindless assault on our collective patrimony by an insignificant but privileged few who see the till as an “easy-virtued” gender that must be pounced to death.
At 26 years of unbroken democracy, Nigeria still has a long way to go but we must not give up on the country despite legion of reasons to do so. To surrender is to tell the hawks to pounce without let or any scintilla of hindrance. And so, we must keep asking the right questions, seeking the right answers and demanding nothing but an egalitarian leadership anchored on the welfare of the people, equitable distribution of resources and leading with human face and empathy.
As Governor Umo Eno prepares to switch political camps in the coming days, all gazes are on the Nsit Ubium-born entrepreneur as he undertakes an adventure of both certainty and uncertainty. Will the political texture and colour of the state remain the same after this defection?
Will the defection lead finally to the realisation of the much-vaunted Ibom Deep Seaport project? Will all his commissioners move with him? Is he on the same page with all the party apparatchik of his current home and where he is heading to?
Will it be a seamless movement that will not ruffle some feathers in the state? What happens to his godfather, his boss and immediate-past governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel? What is his fate in the whole arrangement?
All of these answers, I dare say, are stuffed in the belly of tomorrow.
The coming days and months will surely be one with much interest and activities. And not a few people have grabbed a chair to watch it all with keen attention.
