ELECTION 2015: WHAT DIRECTION SHOULD THE SOUTH EAST AND SOUTH SOUTH TILT IN THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS?

Someone asked the above question as a way to change the South East and South South directions in the April, 11, 2015 governorship elections. The apparent motive is for the SE/SS to get on the bus before it leaves the Motor Park.

It is like telling US blacks in the South to make an expedient show of voting for Republicans because of electoral loses.

That would be the worst mistake the South East and South South would make. It will be bad for them, for Nigeria and for everybody. If the bulk of the people of South East and South South stay in PDP they would be the main force in PDP, in fact PDP could become South East South South party and the main opposition in the country.

Moral Ground! If most of South East and South South were not supporters of APC before now, they should not pretend to have become APC lovers overnight. General Buhari is no fool.

What has bedeviled Nigerian politics up till now is the fair weather behavior of Nigerians. I am surprised that those who championed the importance of a strong opposition are now calling for a weakened opposition in the name of saving the South East and South South. What the opposition should do is to go back and reorganize for 2019, not to troop into APC. APC is the government; a strong PDP is what Nigeria needs

No shaking or tilting that depicts cup-in-hand, tail-between-the legs regrets by South East and South South is needed now. It is only normal that any number of regrets and alter musings is abound after an election this dramatic.  But one does not need to be an astute observer to understand the Northern-Southwest ethno-political alliance has to be watched to see its actualized value.  Will it bring the beacon to the tribal gurus and development in these regions for the average Hausa or Yoruba? Will the Northern leaders go out on a limp for a Yoruba candidate?  

What South East and South South needs to do, more than ever, is to guard their territorial and governing prerogatives and play hardball for balance of power.   The two regions, South-South and South East, should not pander out of fear but make allies after victory in the Governorship election through bargaining when and where necessary in the next four years. In fact, that is practical and respectable.

The South-South and South-East leaders must ensure maximum development for their people, weed out corruption and waste and demonstrate to constituents and electorates the essence of governing. The solution is not running to APC.

After 16 years in power, the PDP has to find its groove and have some serious introspection. Obasanjo, who is responsible for chasing out most of the founding members of PDP, is now openly begging Buhari for a place in the APC sun. 

Lastly, not even Sahara Reporters would be favored by the Buhari administration. The access and contracts will still go to Nigeria's new lobby firm. All the noise by idle Diaspora is laughable. Buhari does not even understand Diaspora animations and aspirations.  The man already chastised his people for "wild jubilation."

Take care everyone and Happy Easter in advance.