NIGERIA is a peculiar nation and dramatic at that: It’s a democracy but the President always seems to have his way and same played out last Tuesday, 13th June 2023 as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fulfilled his promise to Godswill Akpabio. Some analysts called it a close call but people in the know point to a series of underground lobbying by both Northern oligarchs and PDP chieftains to sway things for Akpabio’s opponent, Abdulaziz Yari. It’s no coincidence the bulk of his 46 votes came in from those axis.
KEY STATISTICS
Southwest gave in 17 out of 18 votes to Akpabio
South East was undecided as a unit and splitted their votes 8 to 7 in favour of Akpabio
The South gave Akpabio 37 votes out of their 51 bloc votes (73%)
The North gave Akpabio 26 votes out of their 58 bloc votes (45%)
PDP played opposition well: 65% of Yari’s votes came from the opposition party (This could have been more if Wike and Makinde had been on board).
Akpabio won the battle of the party. 44 out of 59, translating to 75% confirming his status as the party’s choice.
WIKE IS A DOER
In recent times, immediate past Governor of Rivers has developed a reputation for not failing bar the Northern gangup at the PDP presidential primary. He and his closest ally, Seyi Makinde of Oyo perfected their support for the President and have bought a four year relevance in return.
THE SOUTH WEST STANDS TALL
No one plays National Politics better than the South West. They know when to speak and the right time to keep quiet. Seventeen out of eighteen rooted for Senator Akpabio bar the hugely controversial Jimoh Ibrahim.
THE NORTH WEST IS ALWAYS SENTIMENTAL
It’s simple logic: Muslims already occupy the top two posts. Leave it for a Christian! They didn’t get that memo. Fifteen out of twenty one senators rooted for their own.
UMAHI TALKS TRUE EVEN IF THE SOUTH EAST GAMBLED AGAIN
He didn’t fail even though the East once again alienated themselves from the seat of Power. Supporting the President’s choice would have been a way to make amends for giving him less than 10% of the votes from their region. UMAHI is in the President’s good books and he’s definitely a leading candidate to rule the next senate.
LAWAN ENTERS THE GOOD GRACES OF THE PRESIDENT
In 2015 and 2019, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stood by the choice of Ahmed Lawan as party choice for Senate President and it was unfortunate to see him being used as the frontier for the cabal to hold on to power against the President. Yet, he had a chance to prove his atonement and this he did in flying colours
