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Much like lightning and the sound of thunder, the media space buzzed with news of Femi Fani-Kayode’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ending weeks of speculation and rumors that he intended to drop the opposition. ship, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
The man popularly known as FFK or Mr. Short fuse left skeptics breathless as he made his way to the ruling government, confirming the popular slogan used to describe people who easily drop out of their way. position in the government of the day – Any government in power, AGIP. Although, for once, I never saw this “too many defection” as an impossibility, having followed political events in Nigeria and working closely with professional politicians for almost three decades now. Yes, in my twenties I was already aligned with Chief Joe Nwodo, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Dr Idi Farouk, Ambassador Dele Cole, Senator Chuba Okadigbo and several others. Other than that, my father was a strong executive member of the defunct NCNC and had very close ties to NPN chief CC Onoh, yet he remained strong with the rival NPP. He never betrayed his convictions as a Zikist and by extension as a member of the NPP, an opposition party to that of his friend CC Onoh. This is the breadth of what many see as integrity in politics, but it is all out of fashion as politicians abandon friendship and brotherhood for immediate gratification. And guess what, it pays and it always pays off.
Those who engage in such a double crossing have a penchant for double talk as they try to justify their actions without batting an eyelid. It is Nigerian politics which has not been characterized by any ideology but personal interest!
My decision to change the course of my column’s trajectory this week from what I had originally planned is not because there is something special about FFK’s defection, but rather for its true value and its purpose. It’s my own line of thinking. You can choose to differ. It’s all part of the political conversation!
Let’s look at the real problem here, which is not that one of the ruling party’s most vocal critics has retracted its earlier position that the party is a “Fulani” party whose main concern is “Fulanization or Fulanization”. Islamization ‘of the Nigerian state, nor is it that FFK bought and sold the idea of a cloned Buhari at Aso Rock known as Jubril of Sudan, presuming and believing that the real Muhammadu Buhari was dead and buried . This supermodel sold to gullible Nigerians actually started with the besieged leader of the outlawed independent people of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is or was a close ally of FFK. I can’t say if this relationship is still cordial given that while his friend Kanu faces new trials and incarceration in the DSS cell, Fani-Kayode has aligned himself with his translators and oppressors ( de Kanu) – the ruling government.
Who would have suspected that the former Minister of Aviation and Information, respectively very outspoken and spokesperson for the PDP during the last presidential election that Jonathan gallantly lost to Buhari, would visit the president, who he had firmly and categorically condemned? Well, in Nigerian politics nothing is impossible, as long as the interest is selfish.
This big developing story comes just 24 hours after President Jonathan’s media assistant dismissed rumors of his boss’ defection from the APC to carry the latter’s flag in the 2023 presidential election. Isn’t there a cause? Only non-biased political observers can think deeper than parish thinkers and understand the real reasons for FFK’s defection.
Jonathan’s agenda for 2023 may not have been his original idea, but the idea of returning to Aso Rock for a single four-year term after Buhari’s eight-year anniversary is a sweet pie that no ambitious politician will ever do. may reject it, especially when the brains of this controversial decision are from Nigeria’s political stronghold – the kingmakers of the North. As much as we may hate this myth that power comes from the North, it is an indisputable truth that the North determines who gets what in the political context of Nigeria. It can only be a lie in the imagination of those who have wished otherwise.
The plot to lure him into the race is certainly not because of the sympathy they have for Jonathan, but for the selfish agenda of re-positioning the North, after a unique four-year tenure, in which Jonathan does is now only eligible.
It is becoming clear that many of his infantry, like Senator Stella Oduah, have recently moved ahead of their master, Jonathan, in preparation for his second coming. And the executors of this agenda seem to succeed with the baptism of FFK yesterday in the APC.
Fani-Kayode is more of a forerunner in the spirit and likeness of John the Baptist, but this time around he would be well placed to bring the cleaners to the PDP leadership if they ever venture to upset Jonathan and his expected decision to throw his heart in the ring.
As we watch the events unfold over the next couple of weeks, FFK will be busy with what he can do best, but now against those he has already taken the same path.
As to whether Jonathan will not seek to overturn this plan, as the national secretary of the APC, John Akpanudoedehe, has said that high-level politicians eager to join the APC will be granted waivers to run for elected office. in 2023; it is incumbent on the former president to accept this “Greek gift” or come forward with a program that could possibly deny the entire South its right to an eight-year term.
For now, may the loudest voice cry out in the desert as the Nigerians expect the coming of the man with no shoes but who has enough gold studs!
He married Christie Ndukwe is a commentator, analyst and columnist based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
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