The recent decamping of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) has sent shockwaves through the party’s landscape, leaving many wondering what the future holds. As someone privileged to attend APC meetings since this movement and gauge the party’s pulse, I am filled with growing concern about the potential implications of this merger.
But beneath the surface of this high-profile defection, I see a potentially explosive situation unfolding. The merger was certainly a strategic move, but the truth is that it has ignited a powder keg of emotions within the party. Long-standing APC members are worried, and rightly so, about the possible stigmatization, exclusivity, and disdain from the new intake, who seem to be carrying a superiority complex that could tear the party apart.
The thought of these tensions boiling over into a betrayal of trust or even a hostile takeover is a daunting one, and it’s not hard to see why some might consider the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) a more appealing option if their mental health and peace of mind are at stake. The APC has always been a force to reckon with, even in its previous position of weakness, and its members are not ones to be underestimated.
With their resilience, daring personalities, and ability to speak truth to power, APC members have built a reputation that commands respect. The party’s history of scarcity and struggle has fostered a sense of self-sufficiency and resourcefulness among its members, making them a formidable force in the political landscape.
As we approach the 2027 elections, it’s crucial for the new intake to shed their arrogance and approach the APC with humility. The party’s “blue blood” members have a deep-seated loyalty and dedication to the APC, and they will not easily yield to those who fail to respect the party’s leadership structure and values. The APC family is built on resilience and resourcefulness, and its members will stand by those who respect them, regardless of their financial backing.
To avoid building resentment and burning bridges, it’s essential for the new intake to seek empathy and understanding with the APC’s existing members. Let’s close ranks and work together towards the success of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Pastor Umo Eno, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio GCON, and all APC candidates. By doing so, we can ensure a harmonious and victorious journey towards 2027, one that will be remembered for generations to come. The stakes are high, but with unity, humility, and a shared vision, we can achieve greatness.
Ultimately, a win-win ratio must be the guiding principle for this merger. The new APC members, with their power, money, and influence, must treat the long-standing APC members – the “peasants” who have held the fort for the party since its inception – with the respect they deserve. After all, it’s the respect and support of these grassroots members that will ultimately determine the party’s success at the polls. By showing genuine appreciation and respect for their dedication and loyalty, we can build a stronger, more united APC that will triumph in 2027.
Furthermore, as the new intake prepares to continue their political journey, possibly seeking re-election, they must recognize that the APC has its own interested parties who have been loyal to the party since its inception. These long-standing members have a rightful claim to elected offices and appointments, and it’s crucial that their interests are taken into account. In matters of war and conflict, it’s the side that is more hungry and convinced of victory that always wins. I’m convinced that giving long-standing APC members their rightful place in elected and appointed offices will not only be a just reward for their loyalty but also a strategic move to ensure a formidable force as we march towards victory in 2027. By doing so, we can harness the collective energy and dedication of all APC members, old and new, to achieve a resounding victory at the polls.
Finally, the attitude and spirit with which those with power who claim to have joined His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno to APC is a call for concern as the enthusiasm seems more of a plastic surgery at State functions with lesser effects at the units, wards and Local Government Areas where the real loyalist are tested. The bonding is yet viewed with suspicion as some chieftains of the APC have cautioned not a few to celebrate this merger less yet till there’s certainty on what the new intake are bringing to the table in terms of mutual respect or hostile take over.
© ObongUnwana Micheal Joseph Okon Convener 2027: TINUBU/UMO ENO SUPPORT GROUP
