AFTER UMAHI....WHO'S NEXT?

 

That Gov Dave Umahi has decamped to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) is no longer news, but, what would be news is when any of the remaining three South East governors of Anambra, Enugu and Abia State joins him.

Will they? Sure, there are clear signs that they will. It is common logic that if, Peter Obi could defect from All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) then, it is a possibility that his successor, Willie Obiano will finally land in APC.

For Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, he may toe the line of his successor talking about Sullivan Chime. That again suggests that, it is a possibility for Ugwuanyi to move to the APC.

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia could follow the political divide in his state created by the cold war between his predecessors Orji Uzor Kalu and Theodore Orji to swing to APC.

But why Umahi's decision was borne out of his claim that the South East did not benefit from PDP 16 years in power, his colleagues may come up with different excuses.

Those who know say, Umahi had long been positioning himself to either be APC Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidate come 2023...that is if, the party decides to zone any of these seats or positions to the South East.

Imo Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma had boasted that the region would be controlled by the APC come 2023. This prophecy is coming to pass.

One hopes the South East governors don't end up as puns on the chessboard of 2023 politics especially as the carrot of positions of president and vice-president is dangled at them...but it seems on condition that they join the APC.

These governors must understand that their interests of wanting to be President or Vice-President is not the only consideration on the table of discourse as the political train cruises towards 2023. There are other salient factors particularly when it is considered that the APC could break up as pundits have projected.

If or when they all defect as assured by Uzodinma and the party breaks up, what becomes of their fate and interest? Again a lot will be decided by the Governors Forum.

The situation is dicey hence, caution is required. No one can stop anyone or politician from defecting. Defection is part of politics of our clime. You hardly can point at 10 politicians who are one party politicians since 1999, more so, there is no major difference between the APC and PDP given the defection act.