The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last week declared Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the March 28, 2015 Presidential Poll. Buhari contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
By INEC’s declaration APC is to form the government at the centre come May 29, 2015.
Now that APC has won at the centre, there are fears that states that do not vote for APC governors would suffer throughout Buhari’s administration. I think such fears have no place in any truly democratic setting.
States are very important components in any country that operates federal system of government. States are independent, and handle their own affairs.
In the Second Republic (1979-1983) which Muhammadu Buhari aborted as a young military officer, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) under Alhaji Shehu Shagari formed the government at the centre. Many states then were managed by other political parties, such as Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP), and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). I remembered vividly that Imo State was controlled by NPP, Lagos was governed by UPN, Kano was administered by PRP and so on and so forth. None of these states experience under development in Shagari’s administration.
Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been controlling the centre, while Lagos is under the watchful eyes of AC, ACN and APC. This has never stalled development in Lagos State.
I believe strongly that, in the next political dispensation come May 29, 2015 despite the APC’s government at the centre, PDP will form the government in Rivers State. Barr. Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is the next governor of Rivers State. PDP’s government at the state level, will not deter infrastructural development in Rivers State. Peoples should not listen to the lies spreading by APC members that Rivers will not benefit if PDP comes on board. Sixteen (16) years of democracy has opened the eyes of many, hence by God’s grace Wike will step into the Brick House in May 29, 2015. ###
Damiete West
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