Dayo Williams
The APC is not invincible. That was how PDP felt it was a behemoth, a political mahogany until it was displaced by a forest of small, small opepes in 2015. That is, there’s power in a formidable coalition.
I hope Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, with his experience, won’t listen to the social media apologists of the APC who believe that the party is strong, united and can win elections anytime, any day.
If he starts early and with sincerity of purpose, he can still pull up to 75% of those who are ready to leave the party back into its fold. It’s a huge task, in any case. Time is of essence.
I believe Odigie Oyegun coupled with the political naivety of President Buhari in his early days of coming to power laid the ground for the current landmines threatening to implode the party.
Also, it’s crystal clear the reconciliation committee led by Asiwaju Tinubu could not achieve much.
Again, I hope Oshiomhole won’t dismiss the threats of the rAPC. The mother PDP and their online apologists arrogantly did it in 2014 and paid for it dearly in 2015. They said Amaechi and co were inconsequential. A question: who are the men of the moment?
Dr Segun Agagu of blessed memory took Mimiko and his gang for granted in 2007. By the time he realized what was happening, the stream was no longer flowing in his own direction. Yuguda did it to Muazu in Bauchi in 2007, too. Countless examples abound. There is a reason history happens: for mortals to learn from it.
In my years of studying and analyzing political undercurrents, the intrigues and intricacies of power, within and without, under the tutelage of gifted mentors and leaders, I have learnt not to dismiss the threat of a group willing and eager to disrupt a system. Most times, their aim is not to take over from you, but to make sure you don’t get it again.
There are strong anti-Buhari sentiments in the country. All a strategic opposition needs to do is to build a fulcrum around these sentiments and offer the people a new hope even though they will betray the people in the long run as it has been in most cases. To achieve this, the opposition needs to organize itself into a single unit and not into disparate, microscopic entities agitating for relevance and recognition rather than the ultimate desire to win.
Again, the task is heavy but doable for Oshiomhole. No hubris, no grandstanding. He needs to reach out quickly and urgently, too. Compromises here and concessions there are very vital in this case. Only the initiates can decode the signs.
Above all, did you know that Buhari became our President in 2015 by a difference of 2m votes after so much sweat and brawn? Did you know so many variables have popped up since then?
There are two ways to go about retaining power in 2019 by the APC: go about the Machiavellian way and destroy the opposition completely or offer concessions to the opposition within your own rank….
Anything short of the above, well—- Too early to forecast.
