…Says Nigerians, not parties ‘ll decide 2027 polls
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Senate President and the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has predicted that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, would soon implode as a result of the high profile defections from the PDP to the APC.
This is as he declared that Nigerians, and not political parties would decide the 2027 elections.
Senator Wabara who was reacting to the recent defection of the 2023 vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; and many other PDP chieftains in Delta State to the APC, said that the decampees were coming to displace APC loyalists.
The former Senate Senate President said that contrary to insinuations, the exit of the former PDP chieftains would not diminish the party’s fortunes in 2027.
He rather argued that PDP would be the highest beneficiary of the gale of defection in the party as “displaced APC members” would later join the PDP for shelter.
Describing the defections as “a blessing in disguise,” Wabara who noted that even though PDP “will surely miss” the decampees, the departure is of no moment.
Wabara said: “The PDP will laugh last because very soon, there will be implosion in the APC. Those people joining the APC will soon want to displace the party members who have built the APC over the years. The displaced APC members will look for where to go, and they will simply come over to the PDP.”
Acknowledging that defection is not new in politics, Senator Wabara said he was not surprised at the development, adding that more defections are possible.
He attributed the cause of the defections to many factors including choice, loss of confidence in the electoral process, and desperation for second term in office.
He said: “It was expected, and I think we should expect more. But there’s nothing to worry about. That’s politics. We long expected such defections and we know the reason: some are doing so for second tenure, and some for protection.”
Wabara further said that despite the development, the PDP remains the credible alternative to Nigerians in 2027.
He also said that despite the defections, the 2027 polls would not be a walkover for the ruling APC contrary to false hope by the APC leaders and sycophants.
“Nigerians who have been subjected to agony and economic hardship as a result of APC’s bad policies and maladministration will use their votes wisely, protect their votes and ensure that they count,” he posited.
Continuing, he said: “It’s a movement of the leadership and not the followership. Even at that, I have it on good authority that not all the leaders are moving to APC. At the fullness of time, Nigerians will decide. Nigerians will decide the 2027 presidential election, not parties.”
He identified lack of confidence in the electoral body as part of the reason for the drift towards the ruling party, arguing that political office seekers will always want to be assured of protection of their victory.
“Those people defecting know that in 2027, the outcome of the election may not reflect the true will of the people. They may be afraid that the results of the elections may be compromised but Nigerians will not allow such broad-day robbery again.
“The idea of the electoral body writing and announcing any results and asking aggrieved parties to go to court will not work again. Nigerians will vigorously resist anything undemocratic because this country must be made to work for the good of all.
“The fear of the decampees is that the APC might want to give one or two states to the opposition to create the impression that the election was democratic. But the bitter truth is that the 2027 election will be between the APC and Nigerians determined to rescue their country from political hijackers.”
On the mass defection of Ijaw PDP chieftains to the APC, Wabara said the scenario would have been prevented if the late Ijaw leader, Pa Edwin Clark, were still alive.
“I really mourn the death of Pa Edwin Clark because if he were to be alive, this political rascality in Delta wouldn’t have taken place. Even though Pa Clark was not a card-carrying member of the PDP, he was not in support of the APC policies and government. The Ijaws in Delta PDP wouldn’t have disrespected Pa Edwin Clark by taking that decision.”
Wabara who urged PDP faithful not to panic but remain put and help rebuild the party, expressed confidence that the PDP would come out stronger.
“Those who remain will support the on-going genuine efforts to rebuild PDP into a winning force before 2027.”
Senator Wabara who again, accused President Tinubu of turning Nigeria into a one-party state, said no amount of political trick would save the APC from “total defeat in 2027.”
The former Senate President warned that muzzling the opposition under any guise, would give rise to tyranny and despotism which he said, posed grave danger to democracy.
“I have earlier warned against Tinubu turning Nigeria into one-party state and it’s all coming to pass now. He has no apologies for that, and this is not good for our democracy.
Senator Wabara who said other progressive Nigerians from across party divides would join hands with the PDP to rescue the country in 2027, urged the party faithful to remain calm, committed and steadfast in their support for the party leadership.
