By Desmond Ekwueme

Senator Godswill Akpabio is on a mission to deliver the South South geo-political region to his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). His first task among others which he made public is for his party to win in Akwa Ibom. He also promised to deliver 15 Senators to APC.

That was his pledge while joining the party from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an elaborate and colourful defection ceremony   in Uyo some days ago.

Akpabio

So far the former governor has set out to achieve his goal and fulfill his pledge. He is consulting wide across board but from the home front   (Akwa Ibom) first. He has succeeded in pulling some notable names across to his party while boasting that more will join him.

Those close to the corridors of power opine that it is just a matter of time for Gov. Emmanuel Udom to follow his godfather to his new abode as talks are ongoing secretly.   The visit of Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki to Government House Uyo to see Udom has heated up the polity as it is believed that they discussed Akpabio first.

This has further armed Akpabio to fortify his camp as they close in on Udom and his government. It was alleged that Saraki suggested that Udom should initiate the process of recalling Akpabio. But this revelation led Akpabio to quickly close ranks with the leaders of his constituency who have guaranteed him their continued support. This open support for Akpabio has put Udom under pressure as the people of Akpabio’s constituency are now aggrieved that the governor wants to pull down their son. There is the fear that the people may want to withdraw their support for Udom’s 2019 reelection bid.

While this power play is on in Akwa Ibom, the pledge by Akpabio to keep the trust of the party’s bigwig could be his greatest undoing. If he succeeds with his state, how he hopes to achieve that across the South South remains a herculean task . But truth is Akpabio knows himself that it is an uphill task.

Charity they say begins at home. It is good that Akpabio is beginning his battle to pull down the PDP from his home state where he has vowed that all three Senators would end up in APC caucus. It is assumed that to bring the PDP Senators in Akwa Ibom State and the rest from the South South into the APC which will go as first sign to convince his party’s chieftains that he is capable and that he is in the party to stay, Akpabio must have the listening ears of the political strongmen of his region many of whom are PDP loyalists and sympathisers.

Many are already predicting early exit from APC for Akpabio. Few others say he may even end up in the “belly of the lion” if before the 2019 election he fails to deliver His promise.

Critics say, the tall order Akpabio gave to himself surely will be the beginning of his friction with his new party because there is brick-wall already in the waiting for him as he goes on this mission of “dragging millions” of the people from his geo-political zone to his new party. You ask, what and where is the brick-wall?

Perhaps we should take a cursory look at the individuals who could be a cog in the wheel of Akpabio’s plans and moves to break PDP control and stronghold in the South South

• Goodluck Jonathan

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan still enjoys tremendous support and stronghold in the zone. It is believed that he still runs the party through his loyalists hence the recent visits of former President Olusegun Obasanjo whose mission reports suggest and allege, is to sort out who the party presents as flag bearer in the Presidential election come 2019.

• Uche Secondus.

He is the National Chairman of the PDP. It is very unclear how Akpabio hopes or plans to outsmart him to keep his promise in his new party..

Ï%Nyesom Wike

He is the front-runner among the PDP governors of the South South. He is seen as an identity of the party. A man who has risked his life severally including at odd hours of the day to save his party and interests in his state. He has attracted huge positive local and international attention to Rivers State.

• Donald Duke

Charismatic former governor of Cross River State. Though, not seen as a PDP man anymore having joined former President Olusegun Obasanjo to form the African Democratic Congress   (ADC) but, he does not seem ready to move to APC any day. A very principled politician who has openly condemned most activities of the present government which according to him informed his stepping into the ring to contest the Presidential seat.

• Emmanuel Udom

Akpabio has tried to bruise the ego of his successor since they fell apart. This has further hardened the stand of Udom who has vowed to frustrate all moves and efforts of his predecessor trying to make him fail in his second term bid as governor.

• Peter Odili

Yes, he may be quiet since attempting to run for President in 2007 but was stopped by the political machinery of Obasanjo but politicians in the South South still respect him. They say he still has a voice of his own which many listen to. He has the influence to pull or drive support. Akpabio does not seem to be a friend or faithful of Odili.

• Tony Anenih

He may have called it quits with politics but many still consult “Mr. Fix It” for political advice and lectures. Those close to him say, his heart remains with the “Republicans” and Akpabio may not have the clout to convince him to throw his weight behind him, his interests or his new party.

• E.K Clark

He is the legend of Ijaw nation. A strong supporter of GEJ. He has not forgiven those who “plotted” the removal of his kinsman from Aso Villa and therefore will not have anything to do with Akpabio or his likes.

• Seriake Dickson

Bayelsa governor is a faithful of GEJ. He cannot entertain any discussion with Akpabio present. Like Wike and Udom, Dickson will stand against Akpabio and his APC agenda in the South South.

• Prof Ben Eyade

Governor of Cross River State is building on the foundation erected by his predecessors from Donald Duke era. It is difficult for him to work with Akpabio or any of his associates.

• James Ibori

He is the godfather of Delta politics. He seems to have shaken off the dusts of his case with Interpol and gradually settling down to continue his control of Delta politics. He doesn’t seem ready to align with the APC even if he has an axe to grind with GEJ over his government’s role in his case in London.

Ibori will be a tough call for Akpabio to attempt to approach him for a dialogue to join APC. Never! The foundation and gains Ibori has laid and made in Delta are built around PDP. He can’t destroy it now, not even with the likes of Akpabio. This may remain so in a long time to come.

• Ifeanyi Okowa

The governor of Delta State is a PDP faithful.   He is a one party man since 1999. He has been a Senator and so knows where Akpabio is coming from. He surely won’t allow or entertain any friendship with Akpabio.

• The “Boys”

The “boys” of the “creeks” may not be directly involved in government but they are a major factor in government and governance of the South South. From Asari Dokubo to Tompolo among others, it is left to be seen how Akpabio can infiltrate this group and convince them to work for him and his new party. Akpabio may need to ask Chibuike Amaechi how far he has gone or succeeded in this exercise in his cold war with Nyesom Wike.