Politics
N’Delta: Surviving The Burden Of Political Opposition
Rivers State Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike and Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson
The 2015 general elec
tions in Nigeria made history in many respects. One of the novelties that resulted from that exercise was the fact that a ruling political party became the opposition party for the first time in Nigeria.
Another dramatic outcome of that electoral exercise was that the strong hold of the opposition in Nigeria did not fall to any of the three majority tribes but to the South-South/Niger Delta region which had hitherto always found relevance and prominence on the national stage by affiliating with the ruling party or government at the centre.
Perhaps for fear of domination and/or subjugation by one or a combination of others, the minorities of the South-South region had never felt strong enough to stand alone and had always found it convenient to form alliance with, at least, one of dominant groups, especially the North, for political cover and protection since the inception of democratic governance in Nigeria.
This development has been viewed differently by various political observers. While some remain skeptical about the ultimate outcome of this turn of events in the political landscape of the Nigerian federation, there are others who see the development as a test of the political maturity of the region and its people. Yet there are those who consider it as an opportunity for a more rapid development and progress of the region endowed with natural resources but inhibited by an unfavourable political system in Nigeria.
“I think it’s a new dawn for the Niger Delta and it’s a good thing that has happened”, says Biebele Arimie, a Procurement and Supply Management expert and public affairs analyst.
According to Arimie, the development comes with an opportunity for a healthy competition that will benefit the people if the leaders understand it and will be wise enough not to tear themselves and the people apart along party lines.
He enjoined the political elite in the region to use the opportunity to engage in what he called “Developmental competition; rather than use it to precipitate crisis and violence that will help to further impoverish and underdevelop the people.
“Those who are opportune to be functionaries in the federal government should begin to think of strategies of how to work out ways to compete with their various state government, not by precipitating violence but by attracting projects from the federal government to their various states in the Niger Delta”, he said.
Arimie observed that the long years of romance with the central government had not much benefited the region after all, insisting that belonging to the mainstream had made it difficult for the leadership of the region to be assertive and vehement in agitating for what is their due but had rather just tagged along for fear of losing their place.
“It is also not so beneficial to have the region and the centre in the same party like when Goodluck Jonathan was in power. There was no competition. Everybody was afraid. But right now, if you ask me, we are supposed to have a healthy competitions,” he emphasized, adding that this is possible by functionaries at both levels of government who belong to opposing political parties closely watching each other and taking appropriate development, actions to win the endorsement and support of the people.
Arimie, who was also the Rivers and Bayelsa States Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Supply and Procurement Management, urged political leaders in the region to avoid the temptation of using the occasion to engage in unnecessary bickering and unhealthy rivalry that will not yield any beneficial results in the end.
“There will be criticism of how well each one is doing. But we don’t want a situation like what happened in Ogu where Nyesom Wike as Minister of Education came to the Technical School and laid the foundation to say we want to build this school. By then, Chibuike Amaechi as governor of Rivers State also went to the same place and said ‘look I also want to build the same school. At the end of the day, nobody built anything. We don’t want that kind of competition”, he reiterated, adding that, “if both the majority party and opposition will listen to the voice of wisdom and ensure that nobody continues to precipitate violence under any guise, Rivers State and the Niger Delta will grow faster and faster.”
Comrade Christian Lekia, a rights activist and a crusader for non-violence in the Niger Delta shares the sentiments and hopes of Biebele Arimie cautiously. According to Comrade Lekia, the task of the minorities surmounting the challenges of opposition politics in Nigeria is not insurmountable but clearly very difficult. He expressed the fear that with the soul of the opposition outside the three dominant tribes in Nigeria, it would be difficult for the minority tribes to assert themselves on the nation in that role.
He said even though this was not the first time the country would be experiencing politics, it was difficult to see if the minorities of the South-South region have the ingredients to survive and surmount the challenges as Lagos State did under the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency. “Whatever Lagos State did to re-enact itself nationally through alliance and friendship with the North, the minority political opposition party in the South-South must redouble that effort,” he said. Comrade Lekia said Lagos State survived opposition because they remained strong in their focus, principles, belief in their party ideology in addition to believing in themselves and urged the present political leaders in the Niger Delta to borrow a leaf from that experience and make the desired impact for the region and the nation at large.
“When you find a political leadership which major interest is about receiving allocation from the centre and going cap in hand to the centre for every need at the state level, then you justify why we were doing better. Doing better in the sense that they had smooth relationship with the centre but in the actual sense of it I really do not see so much in terms of benefit from the centre because the political leadership was so comfortable with what they were getting”, he stressed.
With the turn of events, Comrade Lekia urged the current political leadership in the region to be “challenged with how to become more productive; how to device better and more effective means of managing our economy, especially when it comes to internally generated revenue and engaging the people.”
“This is an opportunity for the minority opposition in the South-South to show the might of their intellect, the might of their understanding in terms of the game of politics. It’s not about surviving from breast to mouth like a mother-baby relationship,” he said, adding that this is the first time they will have to stand up and devise means of surviving and making a statement that they understand why they are in power as minorities and as opposition in Nigeria.”
He said even through the region remains a component of the federation, the political and socio-economic survival and wellbeing of the states and the region lies squarely on the shoulders of their leadership as no one can dictate to them nor run their affairs directly for them. I couldn’t see it as a disadvantage. I see as a call on the political class within the South-South to re-echo their voices and show their might and that they understand what they’re in power to do. Let them play according to the rules of the game and think of ingenuous ways of generating income from independent sources,” he said, pointing out that if Lagos could stand alone and pull through with only a service based economy, the Niger Delta region with its rich natural endowments cannot but fare better with the right attitude and commitment by its leadership.
“So, if you find a responsible leadership managing the economies of these states and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, you won’t really find any reason why you will be feeling the impact of the centre negatively,” the rights activist concluded.
Perhaps this is the right time to revive and strengthen such initiates as the BRACED Commission and the South-South Peoples Assembly to foster regional integration through social, cultural, economic and political cooperation aimed at achieving a united front and a structural development for the disadvantaged people of the region.
Operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society Network, the group described the ruling delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu as unfair and contrary to the spirit of democracy, urging the judiciary to consider the will of the people in its final determination of the matter.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Thursday, October 30, sacked Gummi for defecting from the PDP, which sponsored his election, to the APC.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu held that it was morally wrong for a politician to transfer votes from one political party to another, stating that “political prostitution must not be rewarded.”
He declared that voters elect candidates based on the manifestos and ideals of their political parties. Therefore, it was both legally and morally unacceptable for an elected official to abandon that platform without relinquishing the mandate.
The court also restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Hon. Gummi as a member of the House, and ordered him to refund all salaries and allowances received from October 30, 2024, to the date of judgment.
Justice Egwuatu further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, who argued that Hon. Gummi’s defection violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as there was no division within the PDP to justify his action.
But convener of the coalition, Lukman Muhammad, who addressed journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, said Hon. Gummi’s defection was a direct result of the unresolved internal crisis within the PDP, which, according to him, crippled the lawmaker’s ability to effectively represent his constituents.
He said: “We believe the court’s decision was unjust and failed to consider the circumstances surrounding Hon. Gummi’s defection. Gummi’s decision to join the APC was necessitated by the unresolved internal crisis within the PDP, which hindered his ability to effectively represent his constituents.
“We affirm that Hon. Gummi’s right to choose his political affiliation is protected by the Constitution and should be respected. We stand for democracy and the rule of law, while also urging the judiciary to consider the will of the people and the greater good”.
He urged Justice Egwuatu to review the judgment, stressing that the ruling could set a dangerous precedent that undermines the principle of fair representation and the rights of elected officials.
The coalition further noted that the judgment has broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic process, as it raises questions about the extent to which lawmakers can exercise their constitutional freedom of association without fear of losing their mandate.
The parties stated that the APC was on the verge of collapse following the recent wave of defections from opposition parties into its ranks.
In separate interviews with The Tide source, spokespersons for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) —Debo Ologunagba, Oladipo Johnson, and Mark Adebayo – respectively, said an implosion was imminent in the APC.
But the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that recent defections to the party were voluntary and inspired by the ruling party’s achievements, not through coercion. He added that the APC was well-structured, capable of managing its internal affairs effectively, and therefore would not experience any internal crisis.
In recent months, the ruling APC has continued to receive several high-profile politicians from opposition parties, particularly the PDP. Among those who have joined the APC are Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Most recently, members of the Enugu State Executive Council defected to the APC, a move followed by Governor Peter Mbah’s official declaration for the ruling party on October 14 in Enugu.
On October 15, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, announced his resignation from the PDP. Although he has yet to join another party, speculation is rife that he is on his way to the APC.
Similarly, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, confirmed last Wednesday that he would be joining the APC.
Numerous other politicians, including several lawmakers, have also abandoned their parties to align with the ruling APC.
In his reaction, Hon. Ologunagba predicted an imminent crisis within the APC, expressing confidence that those who defected would eventually return to the PDP.
He stated, “This is the major political party (PDP), and it is the only democratic party in the country. It has structures cutting across all the local governments, all the wards, and of course all the states. In every home, there are members of the PDP, and that is why the APC are jittery, and that is why they are coercing our members, using state resources and state agencies to force members of opposition parties to join the ruling party.
“But in all this, we are sure and confident that very soon, the APC will implode because it is a multipurpose political vehicle that is not going to last. It is going to implode.
“Many Nigerians will see through it and know that the party is not a political party that protects the interests of the citizens. So, they are going to leave the party and move to the major political party, which is the PDP. We are optimistic that before 2027, many Nigerians will join us because this is the truly democratic party and the only party that is out there to protect their interests.”
On his part, Mr Johnson of the NNPP lamented that the wave of defections posed a serious threat to the country’s democracy.
Mr Johnson said, “This is bad for democracy. For our type of democracy, it is important to have a proper and effective opposition. Already, we’ve seen a blurring of lines between the legislature and the executive; some would even say the judiciary. I hope not. I think many people are observing the trend and are unhappy. However, we need to be a bit more patient and see what happens soon.
“When the PDP was in power for 16 years, it was the party many people rushed into. Over time, it imploded, and many of those who joined it turned against it. So, I see that happening to the ruling APC. Definitely. This is because of the nature of Nigerian politicians; many are driven by personal interests. I always say that Nigeria can never truly be a one-party state. Even if only one party exists, it will become factionalised, with different interests and power blocs. Those pushing the country toward a one-party system may not have studied Nigeria’s political history carefully.”
In his remarks, CUPP’s Adebayo stated that the pattern of defections among politicians, particularly governors and lawmakers, was a deliberate strategy by the ruling party to transform the country into a one-party state.
Mr Adebayo said, “It is not accidental; it is a deliberate and strategic effort to entrench a one-party dictatorship. Whether these defections are forced or coerced, one thing is clear: it is an intentional action driven by the ruling party, particularly the President.
“This development is unhealthy for our democracy. It is shameful and stands against everything democratic principles represent. It is inimical to the growth and development of Nigeria as a democratic nation and poses a grave threat to our political stability.
“The implosion of the APC will come before or once it loses power. Most Nigerian politicians lack ideological grounding or principles; their loyalty lies only with the party in power. Political affiliation is tied to ideology and conviction, not convenience. However, the ideology of most politicians is simply the ruling party. If tomorrow the ADC, Labour Party, or SDP wins the presidency, many of these same politicians will abandon the APC overnight. They have no shame, no conviction, and no conscience. Their only motivation is proximity to power.”
In response, Mr Ibrahim of the APC maintained the APC would not face any internal crisis, asserting that it has the capacity to effectively manage its affairs, unlike the opposition.
He stated, “The fact that the opposition are not organised and they cannot organise primaries, neither can they manage their parties, does not mean we are on the same boat with them. Our party, the APC, has been conducting primaries successfully and rancor-free.
“So, the fact that they don’t know how to manage their party does not mean that is the way we run our own party. The APC does not coerce anyone to join. Those joining are doing so willingly because of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope achievements. Our party is fully prepared. It’s not going to implode; it’s not going to have any issues similar to the issues they have been having.”
Senator Ndume, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, accused both the executive and legislative arms of complacency, saying their failure to proactively engage the United States government on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria led to the development.
The senator recalled that he had earlier sponsored a motion in the Senate on “Christian genocide” in the country. The motion, he said, led to resolutions mandating the Nigerian government to engage the U.S. with verified facts and figures.
President Trump, last Friday, announced the designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ over alleged persecution of Christians.
President Trump made the announcement via a post on his Truth Social platform, which was also shared on the official White House X handle.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” President Trump wrote.
But the Nigerian government swiftly rejected the claims, insisting that President Trump’s assessment did not reflect the true situation in the country.
However, Senator Ndume accused the President Tinubu’s administration and the Senate of treating the allegation raised by US lawmaker, Riley Moore, with complacency, prior to President Trump’s declaration, and urged the federal government to take urgent steps to engage the US government with facts and figures on the activities of terrorists organisations which, he noted, were blind to faith.
“I have alerted the government, I even moved a motion. Nigeria is a sovereign state, it isn’t about what the United States can do to us, but about the misconception and the ripple effects of classifying us as a country of concern.
“We should engage the American government by presenting facts and figures. By engaging the US government, we should demand that they hear the other side of the story from the Nigerian government and the Muslim community. Muslims have been killed too. The genocide isn’t against Christians but Nigerians generally,” he said.