The dicey fate of APC in Nasarawa State

As it is characteristic of politics in Nigeria, less than two years into the present dispensation, many individuals and groups are strategizing for political contests at various levels in the country. This is evident in the rumours making rounds, the meetings taking place, the actions and decisions of political office holders, and above all, the […]

As it is characteristic of politics in Nigeria, less than two years into the present dispensation, many individuals and groups are strategizing for political contests at various levels in the country. This is evident in the rumours making rounds, the meetings taking place, the actions and decisions of political office holders, and above all, the number of campaign posters and bill boards springing up.

Nasarawa South Senatorial Zone is by far the most important political domain of the APC in Nasarawa State because of its voting population and political activism. Nasarawa North (Akwanga Zone) is home to the republicans and a swing zone. This is a zone where candidature is more important than party affiliation and the people can settle for any popular candidate irrespective of his/her political party in an electoral contest.

The Western Senatorial Zone is a strong hold of the APC and the only zone with an APC representative, His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Abdullahi Adamu.

APC is expected to perform creditably well in this zone during the 2019 general elections.

The most populous and hotbed of the APC, Nasarawa South Senatorial Zone (Lafia Zone) may determine whether or not the party will be strong or weakened or even remain the ruling party beyond 2019. This is dependent on the personal ambition of one man, the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. This is because the romance currently taking place between Governor Al-Makura and some opposition figures while sidelining APC strong men who helped the party to clinch victory in the zone.

It has however, been the character and ambition of nearly all governors in Nigeria to vie for Senatorial positions to represent the people at the upper chamber of the National Assembly after successfully serving their term(s) as governor. In many cases, these ex-governors enjoy “fat” pension in huge sums from their states while taking another “jumbo” salary and allowances in the Senate at the same time.

Ironically, and over the years, these ex-Governors in the Senate engage more in politicking and eventually “retire” in the Senate and show very little or no commitment and vigor in contributing to law making for the effective administration of the country and other functions associated with their office as well as undertaking various measures to ensure that their constituents are well represented and empowered.

More so, whenever a serving governor is gunning for the Senate, he unsettles other political gladiators within his District and especially within his political party, who will want to put their popularity to test.

This is because they (Governors) are usually in control of party machinery within the state due to the state wealth and power under their control and readiness to do anything to be handed the party ticket with ease.

Their candidature for party tickets does not give room for healthy competition, free and fair contest, and consequently, sends top politicians away from the party to seek relevance and opportunities to express the desire of their followers. This is not good for Nigeria which is in dire need of citizens willing to sacrifice their resources, energy and intellect to engage in research and make laws that are generally beneficial to the country and will consequently deepen good governance.

It is on these bases that there has been uncertainty among the people of Nasarawa South Senatorial District over the fate of APC in the zone. The atmosphere was filled with rumours of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura who is serving his second and final term as Governor, mapping out strategies to vie for the Senate in 2019 to remain busy and relevant in the politics of the state and the nation at large. Having noted the rumours making the rounds, Governor Al-Makura in a media chat on Friday, September 23, 2016, as part of the programmes to mark the 20th Anniversary of the creation of the state, denied the rumoured Senatorial ambition.

Governor Al-Makura was quoted as saying: ‘contesting for the senatorial seat is not in my plan as some people are insinuating and already calling me Senator…these are mere speculations. I want to see myself as a leader and father of the state after my tenure as Governor in 2019.’

The statement credited to Governor Al-Makura does not clearly and categorically suggest that he will not contest for the Senatorial position in 2019. For now, he sees it as “mere speculations” and not in his “plan” but only time can tell what his true plan is. More so, many political observers do not trust Governor Al-Makura’s “half” denial of nursing a senatorial ambition because many politicians make statements only for convenience. In a Daily Trust publication of January 1, 2017 titled: “Nasarawa senatorial contenders Lock Horns Ahead of 2019”, it was clearly observed that Governor Al-Makura tops the list of aspirants for the Senate in the APC within Nasarawa South for 2019.

The suspicion of Governor Al-Makura’s “half” denial is tied to many factors, one of which is his alleged pledge to run for only a single term if elected as Governor in 2011. Sen. Solomon Ewuga while responding to questions from journalists after he visited Alakyo village to establish for himself the circumstances that led to the gruesome murder of about 100 security operatives in the village in May 2013, alleged that Governor Al-Makura promised to serve only one term and handover to another person.

Even though Governor Al-Makura denied making such a pledge on the grounds that there was no agreement to handover to Sen. Ewuga, it was widely speculated and believed in some quarters that he (Al-Makura) actually made the pledge.

Many politicians in other opposition parties from Nasarawa South who are willing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) like it has been experienced in other zones of the state have refused to defect because they are not sure of Al-Makura’s move and the direction the party will go in Nasarawa South in 2019. Governor Al-Makura’s resolve to contest or not to contest for Senate in 2019 is no doubt the major factor that will determine the fate and direction of the APC in Nasarawa South.

If Governor Al-Makura truly does not have the ambition to be in the Senate in 2019, then the APC in Nasarawa South will witness defection of many politicians in the zone into its fold who will either contest for the position or support those aspiring. But the candidature of Governor Al-Makura for APC Senatorial ticket will make it almost impossible for a competitive, free and fair contest for the APC Senatorial ticket. This will ultimately send other political heavyweight within the APC out of the party to seek for relevance and opportunities to prosecute their ambitions.

The success of APC in Nasarawa South is equal to its success in the state beyond 2019. If there is free choice, the party stays, but if there is imposition it may go the other party’s way.

 

Louis Machue Azige wrote this piece from Lafia, Nasarawa State.