We summarize the big things that
could happen in Nigeria's political landscape in 2020.
As crystal balls go, this may
just be your best bet for 2020, yet (tongue out).
Expect a couple of interesting
developments in the Nigerian political space in 2020 beginning with the
following five….
Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki has
had a running battle with his predecessor and APC national chairman, Adams
Oshiomhole, for as long as anyone can remember. Both men still can’t stand the
other, forget their recent public show of affection and hugs.
Obaseki isn’t happy with how he’s
been treated by the APC, he loathes Oshiomhole’s attempts to control the Edo
chapter of the APC and he’s hinted that he may be better treated elsewhere
ahead of the 2020 governorship election in the southern state.
Edo has been embroiled in
violence, with thugs haunting political opponents all year long.
According to a chieftain of the
APC in Edo, retired Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, “The crisis originated from the
fact that the trio of Gov. Obaseki, his deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu and the
Secretary to the Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie were sponsored into office by
Oshiomhole. But today, the three men have vowed to dethrone Oshiomhole as the
leader of the APC in Edo State.
“But let me state categorically
that we will not allow them to embarrass Oshiomhole. We are only playing it
cool because he (Obaseki) has perfected plans to defect to the Action Alliance.
So his intention is to destroy the APC in Edo State.”
Obaseki has washed his hands off
the incessant violence that has come to define the state.
Watchers of the politics of Edo
say it’s now a matter of when, not if, Obaseki makes the switch to another
political party.
2..Aisha Buhari will continue
barking at the cabal in 2020
First Lady Aisha Buhari has been
railing against the Mamman Daura and Abba Kyari led cabal who she’s accused of
hijacking her husband’s presidency since 2016.
We wager that she won’t stop
screaming about this cabal in 2020.
We also do not think that
President Buhari will do anything to cut this cabal down to size or clip its
wings. He’s neck deep in this whole thing at the moment to give a flying f**.
For all we know, Mrs. Buhari may
just be a lone wolf in this battle against the cabal as her husband has shown
no signs of weaning himself from the cabal.
An interesting year in
‘Cabalocracy’ awaits.
3..Tinubu will come clean on his
presidential ambition
Southwest and APC godfather,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been characteristically mum about whether he
will run for president in 2023 or not. His silence is deliberate. Just what
you’d expect from one of the best political strategists to ever emerge from
Africa.
You don’t unfurl your political
plans the same year the man you backed for the highest office in the land won
his re-election. Tinubu is no tabula rasa.
In 2020, Nigeria’s general
elections will just be two years away. We’d expect Tinubu to break his silence
concerning a presidential run, one way or the other, before 2020 comes to a
close.
He’ll be more influential,
manipulate the media to his advantage and he’ll be a lot more in our faces as
he sets up his stall rather nicely.
The fact that he’s never denied
that he intends to run for the highest office in the land someday soon, is
enough evidence.
4..Osinbajo will become his own
man in 2020
Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo is a lot smarter than he’s given credit for. His media team is also
modelled after him--a crop of tech savvy, iPad clutching, data crunching young
people who know what battles to pick and those to discard for a better time.
Osinbajo endured quite a lot in
2019, including attempts by some members of the infamous cabal to steal his
thunder and the excision of some powerful, money spinning agencies from his
grasp.
For all we know, Osinbajo is also
eyeing the presidency. 2020 may just be the year when he emerges from beneath
the shadows of Buhari and Tinubu and begins to set out his stall for a 2023
presidential run, one public speaking engagement at a time.
Don’t put it past him.
5..More PDP chieftains will
defect to the APC
This is a given.
Nigeria’s politicians are not
ones to play the ideological, opposition game for so long, especially when they
have no other means of income.
In 2020, Nigeria will continue
its descent into a one party state, opposition elements will shamelessly make
the switch to the party at the center and the APC will become that behemoth
that continues to listen to no one.
It’s a scary prospect but one we
will have to live with.
culled: Pulse.ng
