Mr.Peter Obi´s Defection to PDP; a Show of Shame to Ndi-Igbo

In the end, at the very last minute, after much Speculation on his alleged defection to PDP, the immediate past Governor of Anambra state Mr.Peter Obi finally defected to PDP presumably as predicated by political observers and non alike. He was quoted during the PDP welcome back ceremony in Akwa, to have cited excuses such as wanted to be part of President Gooodluck re-election term as the main reason he decamped living behind a party bequeathed to him by his political mentor. What an excuse! when it was obvious and conspicuous from the outset that as a Governor under- APGA, he had pitched his tenth in PDP while calling the shots as a national leader in APGA; an anti-party activity which could had served him impeachment, if it were to be in a civilised society where Rule of Law, enforcement and punishment are at the centre of Good Governance.

Shortly after his hand-over ceremony earlier this year, I wrote an article entitled " APGA Threatened by Peter Obi´s Loyalty to PDP “In that piece, I had argued that Obi´s loyalty to PDP may threatened APGA long time survival, a party bequeathed to him and by extension ndi-igbo by Late Igbo leader Gen. Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, whom many across Nigeria regarded as Mr Obi´s political Godfather. Ojukwu before he died had clamoured that Igbo's whose political capital had diminished ever since after the civil war, replaced and reposition APGA as an Igbo dominated party with which to negotiate at the centre. With Obi´s defection one tend to ask where is APGA heading?, especially at this time in the history of Nigerian politics when national security has been infiltrated and challenged by insurgents whose aims are yet unknown, a dangerous time that requires political correctness and party structure building by ndi Igbo to forestall any backslide.

All together, it wouldn't have become an issues for Mr. Obi to defect to PDP, if not, for the enormous and strategic importance attached to his position, that's so because "jumping-ship" has become a way of life in our political system. In Nigeria it's normal that a member of a political party goes to bed in the night and wakes up in morning a different political party member, without even going through the manifesto of his new party, the onus and interest has always been pecuniary and immediate gratification in replacement for ideology, manifesto or genuine party policies. However, the much ado about Obi´s defection stemmed from the fact that he had betrayed his conscience, against those who had believed in him as someone who are most disposed to carry Ojukwu´s dream as regards to APGA survival, once again his defection is a clear message that Igbo's does have it what takes to sustain the legacies of their political heroes as seen in other regions.

For Mr. Obi, late Ojukwu is irrelevant now hence Jonathan has become his new political master. The cheap excuses of wanting to help get the President re-elected is nothing but a hoax, Has he Obi forgotten so soon that APGA had long declared interest to support Jonathan again as did in the past, when he used his office as APGA Governor to rally support for him (Jonathan) during 2011 general election and he won, now that he is out of Government seat, wouldn't it have been a better opportunity to work for Jonathan re-election while still holding on to his sacred duty as an APGA leader. The former Governors' actions seems like his political ambition would be ending with Jonathan presidency otherwise ones finds it difficult to understands what kind of precedence he is setting for the younger Igbo generation?

Ironically, what Mr. Obi have demonstrated is that APGA will forever remain a spring-board to ambitious politicians whose only interest is anchored on making political inroad to the centre. It shows APGA will have to walk too far to reach the centre hence its key members are abandoning her to the same centre. Somehow, it would have strengthened Rocha's morale and justification for abandoning APGA and calling it a local party that has no value at the centre, but the question; why would APGA be crucified that way? , the party roundly believed to be an Igbo party with high expectation for its handlers to spread it east, west probably north, is now in stretches. One lesson to learn from this unfortunate predicted defection is that politics is all about personal interest any time anywhere. This writer believed given the numerous speculations in the past on the possibility of Mr. Obi defecting to PDP which he and his aides had consistently denied, so, who is fooling who?

Those who think Rocha's Okorocha of Imo state committed atrocity for decamping without sentiment to APC, what are they going to call this situation, that Obi left APGA after he had used it to further his political nest only to decamp at a time his service is most needed in the party. Is this not to be compared to the abandonment of a business empire bequeathed to a son who could not sustain the legacy of his father after his death. Wouldn't it had been better for Mr,Obi who by his body language already have assumed the role of Jonathan Re-election "Campaign Manager" to have waited beyond 2015 before quitting APGA. From the going its appears a truth, the Opposition party claims that Obi stewardship while in office was compromised much by his technical business interest with government at the centre. It could equally be taken he had waited long just to make sure he install his man as the Governor before quitting APGA.

At the moment, those who had commented in the past this writer included, on the suspicion that Mr, Obi were never a heart and mind member of APGA would have been vindicated by now, the opposition party in Anambra who were on the top of the roof shouting during the last Governorship election in the state, making cases upon cases to dislodge APGA would laugh over this brazen defection.

Finally, by now, Mr.Obi´s defection would have served a big lesson to young Igbo's generation who are oftentimes deceived into following politicians whose personal interest overrides the overall interest of the masses. In the end, whatever becomes of Mr. Obi in PDP, we wish him all the Good luck in this world while hoping APGA will remain relevant in the on-going democratic process in Nigeria.

Adams Kennedy Chidi, Is a Radio Presenter and a freelance Journalist based in Hamburg-Germany.