What Is Gemade, Shija, And Aondoakaa’s Endgame?
BY PROF PITA AGBESE
The three gentlemen named above recently contested to lead Benue State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They ran in the APC primary election to be given the honor to fly the party’s flag. Unfortunately for them, despite their hard work and their high expectations of victory, they were left with the agonies of defeat. Electoral defeats come with a lot of pains and the Nigerian electoral system is particularly very brutal against losers. It adds a seeming humiliation to the agonies of defeat. When you lose, as Reuben Abati narrated with respect to President Goodluck Jonathan losing in 2015, even your phone stops ringing.
Nigerians shun losers. Losers are as welcome as lepers in a crowded marketplace. Losers not only lose their personal fortunes spent on the contest, they stand the risk of losing their dignities as well. Losing an election may come with a loss of friends and the hordes of well-wishers who throng along with the candidates during the electioneering. Losing comes with loneliness. It may even lead to depression or restlessness. It may lead to a feeling of total rejection.
I have elaborated on the pains and the pangs of losing elections in Nigeria to make it clear that I understand how hard the electoral loss of the primary election must have hit three gentlemen. Losing is neither pretty nor easy. The three of them have gone to court to challenge the APC and its conduct of the primary election. I understand how they may be feeling. Dreams shattered or deferred indefinitely. Both Shija and Aondoakaa are still young and may try again. For Gemade, this may be the end of the road, unless he is going to contest for a seat in a local government legislative council. What I don’t understand is this: what do the three eminent men want? Are they seeking a new primary election? If a primary election is conducted to their satisfaction would that not result into only one of them winning it? If so, does any of these men think he has a snowball in hell chance of winning the general election?
What is the endgame for Shija, Gemade, and Aondoakaa? Given the increasing perception that these men are spoilers hell bent on truncating APC’s chances of defeating the PDP, do these men imagine that any APC member would even vote for any of them in the general election? It is highly probable that Rev Father Alia would attract votes even from the PDP. I am certain that none of these men would be able to persuade PDP members to vote for him. If these men win in court, would it not be a Pyrrhic victory?
I am amazed that Prof. Shija and Senator Gemade do not see Ortom and Ortomism as a mortal danger to Benue and its people. I am at a loss how these men have become petulant and would churlishly drag on the issue and run the risk of irreparably damaging the Alia candidacy. I specifically named these two gentlemen because I hold them in high esteem, but if they continue along this destructive path which seeks to throw away the baby with the bath water, I would re-evaluate the high regard I have for them.
Whatever grievances the three men have over the party’s primary election should be nipped in the bud. The momentum that Alia garnered, the hopes he kindled, and the enthusiasm his candidacy generated will soon be lost if the three men continue to give succor to Ortom and the PDP. These men’s obstinacy is giving rise to rumors that what they are doing is akin to Jacob’s voice, but Esau’s hairy hands. Time to end the recriminations from the primary election and join hands with Alia to defeat Ortom and Ortomism.
