More than at any other time in its recent history, the Accord Party in Oyo state is showing some real political strength. Though still an underdog to the top dogs of both the APC and PDP; the party no doubt is proven many of its adversaries wrong. In fact, those who think the party’s chances in the coming election would fade into oblivion once conversations around elections become charged must have a rethink. Because as of today, neither the PDP nor APC can single-handedly win the coming gubernatorial poll alone without a robust and formidable coalition to boot. Each parties is still locked in perpetual, internal wrangling.
Like in the 2019 election, the smartest politician with the ability to rally around others is likely going to emerge as the winner. Already, there is an atmosphere of frustration, resentment, and anger against the two dominant parties.
Added to this is the national outlook of the parties and the heated debates their respective Presidential candidates have generated. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is yet to find a lasting solution to the existential crisis rocking his party. There’s a raging and destructive battle for the soul of the party, and the feeling among the party’s hierarchy is that the status quo which has been at the heart of the ongoing crisis may remain.
As a matter of fact, the thought of relieving the PDP national Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu of his plum job because of some prominent party members is considered an afterthought; the mere figment in the imagination of Governor Nyesom Wike’s group. But that’s not the complete situation of things in the PDP.
Think of the power rotation and the decision of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to contest and eventually secured the party’s ticket. At a time a Northerner is about to vacate the seat of power, the most desirable thing for National unity and stability is for the next President to be a southern extraction; a gesture that would send a simple message of justice, fairness, and equity. At the state level as well, PDP is also caught between the rock and the hard place. The party under Governor Seyi Makinde hasn’t changed much about its public perception and performance. It’s still a party of power and nothing else. For example, Governor Makinde has single-handedly and successfully lorded himself over the party. In some quarters within the party, he’s secretly dubbed the Emperor: Oyo state being his empire and the PDP his means of enjoying the pecks of power. For those who desired a change in government, the Accord party is seen as an alternative. At least the party is different from the two major parties even though its members are cut from the same clothes!
Interestingly, the APC is also not free of this self-inflicted crisis. At the national level, the party has had a running battle over its Muslim/Muslim ticket. Despite being a product of necessity, the decision of the party to field the same ticket has incited many who believe it’s designed to marginalize and malign them. For instance, most Christians in the country have alleged foul play in how APC treated its constituency. In Oyo state as well, the party is not entirely free of crisis. The party is having its own share of clashes of interest. Those who think the party has failed to dance to their various tunes have decamped.
From its Senatorial to House of Representatives, and most importantly its gubernatorial candidate, it is evident most bigwigs in Accord are most disgruntled APC members. For many, the difference between the two major parties in the state and Accord is like six and nine: not much of a difference.
After losing out in the power play, most Nigerian politicians take to their heels. They run from one party to another. In South Africa, that act is termed: crosstitution; a blend of cross-carpeting and prostitution. So it’s easier to describe those who leave their party to another party as crosstitutes. What is considered repugnant in that clime is seen as the norm here. But it is the way it is.
Incidentally, there’s a strong link between what happened at the Presidential election and its ripple effects on the gubernatorial poll. And instead of investing much energy and passion in the same old campaign strategies, the party should devise new means of reaching disenchanted and dissatisfied people across the state’s nooks and crannies.
OYO101 is Muftau Gbadegesin’s Opinion about Issues affecting Oyo state, published on Saturdays. He can be reached via @TheGMAKing on Twitter, muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850
