Ndume’s defection and the stakes in 2011
The only difference was in the circumstances that led to our departures. I left because the PDP does not appear positioned to win elections in Borno, while my compatriot chickened out because of an opinion expressed by a stalwart of the party. I had hoped for a closer political working relationship with those we fought […]
The only difference was in the circumstances that led to our departures. I left because the PDP does not appear positioned to win elections in Borno, while my compatriot chickened out because of an opinion expressed by a stalwart of the party. I had hoped for a closer political working relationship with those we fought over the political soul of Borno State in the past, including Mohammed Ali Ndume. Amongst all the aspirants to the Senate, Ndume seems to have a robust structure, which he built over the years. While he claimed to have planned his defection for long, those around him, felt it was rather hasty.
The sudden defection of Ndume, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, from the ANPP to the PDP seems to have drawn the battle line for the 2011 elections in Borno State. Opinions are divided on whether Ndume’s defection was a serious issue that could alter the political situation in 2011.Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, in reacting to the development, dismissed it as a non-issue, describing Ndume as a paper tiger, whose true political value was over-estimated. He has vowed to demystify Ndume. It is an open secret that Sheriff has been the mentor of many elected politicians in Borno State since 2003.
Could Ndume have committed political suicide, changing camps at this eleventh hour? How can his defection affect the fortunes of the ANPP in Borno State on one hand, and how could it enhance that of the PDP on the other? Does Ndume have the financial war chest to fight Governor Sheriff in the struggle for the control of the politics of southern Borno? Will his solid campaign structure in the ANPP be easily collapsed into the PDP? Given the near solid grip of the ANPP on the politics of the state, can Ndume survive beyond the automatic ticket promised him by his new party? These and many others are some of the questions being asked. It may sound reassuring to him if the reports are true to the effect that he has been granted an automatic ticket to contest for the Senate by the PDP. The question, again, is, how far can the automatic ticket carry him in the face the anger his departure generated even amongst his followers?
Ndume had, while justifying his defection, told the press that he was not being offered a level playing ground with other aspirants in the race to the Senate. In accusing the party’s leadership of bias, he was also quoted to have called the bluff of Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. In a swift reaction, other aspirants dismissed his claims, saying they were comfortable with the way Sheriff guided the party. His colleagues in the House have, meanwhile, commenced the search for his replacement. Sources hinted that, Honorable Betara, the member representing, Bayo, Biu, Kwaya/Kusar, Shani constituency may be the new minority leader. Governor Sheriff does not seem to hide his confidence the Betara, just as he could not conceal his displeasure with Ndume, over his defection and attendant remarks.
As the polls draw nearer, certain things will tend to define how each of the gladiators in the new political war will remain relevant or go into obscurity. Ali Sheriff is fighting a familiar battle with Ndume, and appears even more determined to sustain the control of the ANPP over Borno State. So far, he has kept his political game close to his chest. It was this suspense over who gets which position in the next dispensation that seems to have unsettled the likes of Ali Ndume. Sheriff does not appear shaken by the new partnership between Ndume and the PDP.
In the past one week since Ndume announced his departure, stakeholders from southern Borno, including his state, local Government and ward coordinators have been trooping into the government house in Maiduguri, with each one of them dissociating themselves from the actions of the lawmaker, while pledging loyalty to the ANPP and Governor Sheriff. Ndume’s departure from the ANPP is turning out to be a blessing of a sort to the party, as those who had been reluctant to identify with Governor Sheriff seem to suddenly change their opinions. Those who may be displaced by Ndume in national calculations are also discussing with the governor on possible ways to survive the seeming putsch.
While the national leadership of the PDP may be rejoicing over this big catch, Ndume’s entry is already causing ripples in the PDP in Borno state. As it is, the PDP has waived its own rules by reopening the sale of nomination forms to accommodate Ndume. Alhaji Sanda Garba, who hitherto was the sole aspirant for the Senate seat from southern Borno is said to be under tremendous pressures to surrender his nomination to Ndume. But Sanda’s mentor, Kashim Ibrahim Immam, appears poised to resist the move. Investigations reveal that the infighting in the PDP between governorship aspirants intensified with Ndume’s entry, with each one of them struggling to woo the latest political bride to his side. A recent meeting of stakeholders of the PDP was said to have expressed fears that Ndume’s defection into the PDP may after all be a disadvantage.
Inuwa Bwala contributed this piece from Maiduguri