Where does Niger Delta belong in race for Aso Rock
The race for Aso Rock is open for at least three top candidates. The candidates are already doing a careful permutation on the six geopolitical zones of the country.
As the keenly contested race continues, one can ask where does Niger Delta belong? Of course, the region traditionally belongs to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The party has won the six states of the area in the last presidential elections.
However, the case is clearly different this time around as the oil rich zone is divided into at least three sides unlike what’s obtainable in the past when the PDP swept the states and cruised to victory with ease.
Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa are tilting towards Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the PDP for the election. Understandably, Okowa is backing Atiku because he’s the running mate. But what about Obaseki?
The Edo State governor has issue with Mr. Nyesom Wike. The governor, who joined the PDP from the APC, has had a running battle with his counterpart from Rivers State, who contested against Atiku in the PDP’s primary election last year.
As a matter of fact, Wike’s enemy has become Obaseki’s friend. Hence, The Edo State governor would rather choose Atiku Abubakar over Nyesom Wike. Note that it’s not even sure if Edo State will wholly and fully go for Atiku Abubakar.
Wike has not announced whom he and his team would support less than a month to the election, but he has ruled out working for the PDP’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Will he support Bola Tinubu or Rivers State will give its at least one million votes to Peter Obi?
Meanwhile, Mr. Ben Ayade, Cross Rivers State governor, has defected to the All Progressives Congress. He thought he would be able to get the ticket of the party for the presidency. However, he couldn’t stand up to Bola Tinubu, who won the ticket eventually.
Cross Rivers State may go with its governor. And if that happens, it means an opposition party would win the state for the first time since 1999 when the country returned to the democratic rule.
Yet Peter Obi’s “Obidient movement” is strong in that axis considering its borders with the southeastern Nigeria. Surely, if Obi doesn’t win the state, he will get a tangible number of votes there.
Delta State and Bayelsa State may not snub the PDP if others do so. Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa will claim his state even though top APC leaders including Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege hail from the rich state. Atiku can rest assured of victory in that state.
Mr. Duoye Diri is backing Atiku Abubakar. But he may not fully deliver the state for the PDP because Goodluck Jonathan is still silent.
That’s why one will wonder where Niger Delta belong in the race for Aso Rock.
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