HOW APC IS MAKING JONATHAN SLEEP BETTER THESE DAYS. By Bello Emmanuel. While they bicker on issues of consensus or no consensus, the nation’s apex opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is making the president and his men, happy. I learn President Jonathan sleeps sounder now than before. The calculations and prognosis appear to be on his side. With Ebola killed; with polio on its way out; with a ceasefire afoot and with APC leaders not sure who would fly their flag, a relaxed president left for Israel on pilgrimage to thank God for this victories. Now, I don’t know of any Nigerian president of the Christian faith, who has ever gone on that kind of pilgrimage. President Jonathan must be coolly sitting pretty to travel like that at this time in the electioneering calendar. I’m sure he feels that 2015, as far as the presidency is concerned, is a cakewalk. And he’s got the floundering APC to thank for that. The first problem the party faced was with the issue of whether it would go for a Muslim-Muslim ticket or not. Right now, the matter is still ruffling feathers around the country. Many believe that if the party does this, Jonathan and his men would be smiling to the polls. Even former President Olusegun Obasanjo kicked against it. He was reacting to General Muhammadu Buhari’s outburst in a recent interview where oga Buhari characteristically said it doesn’t matter if the party goes for a same faith ticket. The respected general is wrong, of course. Religion is still a huge issue with Nigerians and comparing the current situation with the ancient Abiola/Kingibe magic is a no brainer. It is stuff like this that motivates the PDP to pummel APC with the janjaweed appellation which unfortunately was effective. And don’t forget that many still think the leadership composition of the APC is untowardly slanted to one particular faith. They may be wrong in saying this but Olisah Metuh has succeeded in selling the dummy to unsuspecting folks. That is why the PDP has wisely retained the Jonathan/Sambo formula which balances the North with the south and the two big faiths in a fusion. That looks more Nigerian and a lot of country men are comfortable with that. Secondly, while APC is still dealing with that, there is the thorny issue of whom the party would give its flag or even how it would arrive at that. On its part, the PDP has settled that one already. It has a flag. It has its bearer. In fact, a committee that would set the stage for Jonathan’s declaration is already in place. That is organisation. APC is still wondering if it should do a consensus thing or it should go to the polls. As I write this, I’m not sure what it has decided to do. But when I spoke with my boss and former employer, Sam Nda Isaiah, on the matter, I felt his presidential anger! He was livid. He told me going for consensus would just be like borrowing the poisonous tricks of the PDP. He said it would rob APC of its biggest asset – transparency. You know, APC tries to give the impression that it is the cleanest party in the neighborhood. But Nda Isaiah believes only an open, free and fair affair would sustain that image. And even after it has settled on this, there is still the issue of the candidate. PDP knows how to defeat Buhari or at least how to deal with him in the media. They would bring back all the memories of politicians being thrown in jail; they would remind everyone of decree 4, Buhari’s age, his religiosity, his draconian posture and his weaknesses. If you bring former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, PDP would bring up issues of corruption and the fact that he is desperate. Someone told me that even Obasanjo doesn’t want Atiku to be president for obvious reasons. If it is Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, PDP and TAN would just go on a jamboree, dancing and praising the Lord for a victory. In fact, they would all go on a pilgrimage. That leaves you with my oga, Sam Nda Isaiah. Now, that is a novelty for even the PDP. They may have to think fast and know how to confront the man with the big ideas. But believe me the PDP would know what to do. Even with Uncle Sam. Tony Elumelu Rume Ima Niboro Sandra Ote Dafiaghor Phil Smart Soji Oseni Jagaban Ike Chidolue Kingsley Iriogbe Michael Dedon Umoren Churchill Jakpo Pablo Otoboh Franc Omor Edegware Nnamdi Ukasanya Chukwudi Iwuchukwu May Ubeku Engr Ibinabo Reg Miller Peace Ben Williams Ebi Bozimo
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:28:02 +0000
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