Move, Akpanke Move, The Circle Cannot Be Squared
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| Rep Peter Akpanke |
As the 2027 general elections approach, politicians nationwide are strategically realigning with parties and affiliations that best serve their interests. In Cross River State, there has been a lot of exodus from the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Several high profile defections have been recorded, including Hon. Bassey Akiba, representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani federal constituency, who transitioned from the LP to the APC. Similarly, Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe, the PDP deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election, defected to the APC in a move seen as paving the way for her principal, Sen. Sandy Onor.
Recently, the entire PDP structure in Boki local government area collapsed into the APC with the defection of Barr. Atah Ochinke. All PDP House of Assembly members, a member of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) representing the state, Chief Agbe Patrick, and many others have also moved.
Peter Akpanke, the member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, should take advantage of this transfer window to change club like others before it becomes too late. The PDP's fortune is waning, and it's likely to face further decline. As Barr. Venatius Ikem, the party’s State Chairman, philosophically said in a Facebook post yesterday, “no matter how you do it, some circles can never be squared.” PDP’s symbol is an umbrella, and the outer canopy of it is in a circular form. A deeper analysis of the post can pass for a tacit admittance that the way PDP is constituted today, especially in the North, it may never be able to be squared.
Nevertheless, historically, representation from present-day Obanliku in the National Assembly has been limited to a single term. In the current democratic era, Sen. Musa Adede became the first Obanliku representative in the National Assembly, serving for three years and some months after replacing Sen. Kanu Agabi following his appointment as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Rt. Hon. Gabriel Adah was the next Obanliku son in the Nass, but like Sen. Adede, his tenure, was confined to one term.
When former late Senate President Joseph Wayas served in the National Assembly during the Second Republic (1979-1983), the Obanliku Local Government did not exist. Although some people have attributed his tenure to Obanliku for political reasons, despite the local government being created nine years after he left office, the reality remains that even him that was lucky to be reelected, his second term was indeed cut short by a military coup in 1983.
However, while Bekwarra and Obudu local governments have also had single term representatives in the Reps and Senate (Hon. Mike Ogah and Sen. Ben Ayade), they have also produced lawmakers who served for eight years each (Late Rt. Hon. Paul Adah and Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo). Rep Akpanke now has a great opportunity to break the single term trend for Obanliku, but it requires him to show more courage and seize the moment.
Given the current political landscape in the state and the North, Akpanke needs APC more than the APC needs him. On the contrary, the PDP needs him more than he needs the PDP. With the internal wrangling in the PDP looking insurmountable and the circles becoming ‘unsquarable’, staying in the party may pose a huge risk for him. However, joining the APC as a first timer and with the history of one-term jinx in Obanliku, his chances under the leadership of Gov. Bassey Otu, a product of equity and fairness, for the second time will be very bright.
Maybe Akpanke is considering the declaration by some APC members from other local governments to contest the 2027 reps election. But the sentiment by so many people suggests that 2027 could be Obanliku's turn again, with many, including some party leaders, advocating for continuity from the local government. There's a growing awareness of the need to maintain the gentlemanly power rotation that has been in place so that when the baton passes to others, those who have recently held power won't struggle for it.
Besides, Akpanke must be cautious of those who may be telling him not to move because he won in 2023 as an opposition candidate. The dynamics of the 2023 elections are different from what’s playing out today. The APC's loss in the 2023 elections wasn't due to PDP's popularity but rather a backlash against the APC's candidate choices. This sentiment is likely to dissipate by 2027.
Nevertheless, although the PDP lawmakers have performed well, the APC is more determined than ever to consolidate its hold on the state. Therefore, Akpanke must make a timely decision to join the APC, not just to safeguard his budding political career but also to break the one term trend and ensure Obanliku isn't shortchanged again.
As it is said, “a stitch in time saves nine.” Akpanke should move now that the circle cannot be squared.
Inyali Peter, Ph.D., an APC member and a constituent of Obudu/Bekwerra/Obanliku federal constituency writes from Abuja.
