Can a Governor say this? Many Nigerians are still asking.
Yes, in a political system devoid of ideology and principles such as Nigeria political system, a Governor can say this without owing anybody apology.
And of course the like of Hope Uzodimma could say this without blinking his eyes:
“…if you are not with the national party, and you choose to be in opposition, of course, you will continue to fast until God answers your prayers…”
The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, asked political actors in opposition parties to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain ‘hungry’.
He said this in Abuja on Friday in reaction to the defection of David Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor, who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.
Speaking with journalists after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Uzodimma said Mr Umahi “quickly understood that joining the ruling party will take his State out of hunger”.
“Once you believe in Nigeria and you have a pan-Nigeria attitude, of course, you will go for a national party. There is no gainsaying that if you are not with the national party, and you choose to be in opposition, of course, you will continue to fast until God answers your prayers.
“But we that are in the ruling, of course, what it will take us to solve certain problems may be different from what it will take somebody who is not very close to the source of authority to solve his own problems.”
By implication, the governor possibly meant the federal government, controlled by the ruling APC is favourably disposed to States it controls, hence deploys more funds to settle their challenges to the detriment of others.
It also gives credence to arguments that partisan politics in Nigeria lacks ideology but is underlined by monetary and political patronage hence the ease with which politicians switch parties.
