₦airaland Forum

1. Pre-empting the president
The ability to out-manoeuvre your
opponent is key in politics. And with the
visit, the APC governors did that very
successfully.
For a while, questions have been asked
about President Jonathan and why,
despite the fact that Borno state has
arguably been the most troubled state
since he became president, he has not
deemed it fit to visit the state since he
became president.
Earlier this year, the government of that
state, accused the FG of ignoring the state because the state government is of a different political persuasion to the
government at the center. The FG
strenuously denied that allegation. And
even the vice-president was dispatched to the state to help thaw the ice. But still, the president hasn’t showed.
There are reports though that the president
might visit the state in the coming weeks.
But, the APC governors did it first, and
undoubtedly, to the press and in the court
of public opinion, that might count for
something. Even if it doesn’t, constantly
repeating it helps the APC score some
political points.
2. Another avenue for publicity
Even though the APC is a new party, it
cannot be said that it is an unknown party,
especially because of the heavyweights
involved.
However, considering that it hasn’t yet
started the hard work of actively getting
Nigerians to buy into their idea and
ideology, it needs all the positive publicity
it can get. And with the visit on Thursday, it
sure will get lots of that in the coming
week.
Already, they are milking it. The Osun
governor, Rauf Aregbesola wrote on his
Facebook page after the meeting that: “Our
(APC Governors) visit clearly underscores
the need for COURAGE,
CONSCIOUSNESS, COMPASSION and
DECISIVENESS which is presently
lacking in the country. The progressive
Governors forum a.k.a “APC
GOVERNORS” has demonstrated what is
needed to stabilize Nigeria and bring
security to bear.”
Of course, his post was a gross
exaggeration of the impact of their visit, but
what do they care, they’ll claim it anyway.
3. Endeared themselves into the heart
of the people
The APC governors reportedly visited a
market and a female school. Very strategic.
According to Gov. Aregbesola, “they
walked freely among the masses to a
rousing welcome and great admiration.”
Another score for them.
4. Opportunity to do some good
In their communique read at the end of the
visit, the governors said they “collectively
donated N200 million to Borno and Yobe
State governments for emergency relief
and support in the light of the Boko Haram
insurgency affecting the two states.”
N200 million is a drop considering what is
needed to get that state back on track. But
it’s a sign of goodwill. People remember
things like that, especially if the money is
used for the purposes for which it was
actually donated.
5. Shaping the conversation
The potency of the visit in redirecting the
national conversation cannot be
overemphasised. Through their visit, the
problem of insecurity in the country was
put back on the front-burner of national
conversation. And of course, if insecurity is
mentioned in Nigeria, whether in a PDP or
an APC state, it ends up putting the
government at the centre and the
president, who is the Chief Security Officer
of the country on the wrong foot.
The interesting thing is that despite the fact
that the APC communique carried an
upbeat tone on the security situation, it still
cannot make the president look good. A
win situation for the opposition.
They said in their statement that: “In
solidarity with the government and people
of Borno and Yobe states, we are pleased
to witness an upsurge of tranquility and
happy that the situation has calmed down
considerably in Maiduguri, contrary to the
image of rampant violence that has been
painted to the whole world. We have
discovered the people are going about
their businesses without hindrance. We
wish to commend the efforts of our brother-
governors in the two states and the
security agencies for the restoration of
peace and stability.”
6. Chance to talk some more about their
party
A visit to Maiduguri was done and yet, over 70 percent of the communique was about the forum’s “irrevocable commitment to the emergence of the new party, All Progressive Congress (APC),” and commendation of “the Central Merger
Committee of the APC on the progress so
far made in the establishment of the new
party, particularly the recent inauguration
of three major committees on constitution,
manifesto and legal/INEC compliance,”
and how they wished to “inform Nigerians
that we shall soon embark on a national
outreach and sensitization activities and
we call on Nigerians to support our effort to rescue the country from a visionless
leadership.”

Walking down a street in maiduguri

Thief men going around

Why them still carry security?

Dpeacemaker101: Why them still carry security?

Ar u a learner?

What kind of question is that?

Dpeacemaker101: Why them still carry security?

I knw sumone who is a commander in chief, has all the security he needs but still couldn't go to maiduguri..his deputy commander went after 2 years bt went to 3 places only..emirs palace,govt house nd jtf headqts...so u see the APC governors did wat no political leader has nd wat most of us can't even with security...ask yourself...they walked 1.5km in d middle of the town to the monday market (the market has been attacked so many times), the also went to a girls skul etc...if u cant commend them atleast keep quite

Sentiments aside, this was a great political stunt that makes GEJ look stupid. A C-in-C is the father of the nation, hence there's no excuse for his failure to visit Borno or Yobe State all this years of turmoils in these states. If the security situation is whats stopping him, then he obviously doesnt deserve to be the C-in-C; and trying to cook-up excuses for GEJ is really the peak of stupidity.

Tax payers money going down the drain

If this is taxpayers' money going down the drain, let them flush it more. What of that bloated ape who needs 4BN for her zoo?

And this where the whole city was close down, because vice president sambo was coming.


See swags

Dpeacemaker101: Thief men going around

It hurts you guys real badly that your boss kept stalling out of fear for his life until these brave men pulled the move doesn't it??

At the time being, I'd advice you guys go sit in some quiet overly secure bunker in Aso villa and lick ur wounds while you contemplate whaat moves to make to outdo this one.

These are the real political sages and gladiators. While the best idea the drunken fisherman could come up with is to send his Lie Minister on a misinformation tour, men with ability to reason and courage busy themselves hiting one political bulls eye after another.

One can only imagine what your masters are thinking of themselves given the deafening silence coming from Wadata Plaza and Aso Villa.

OP, very good analysis.
Mods, front page ojare.

APC all the way!!!!

Just look at Rochas; the odd man out. Pure JUDAS. "Rochas Iscariot".

kingblosky: Just look at Rochas; the odd man out. Pure JUDAS. "Rochas Iscariot".

Is he not a Nigerian or wat makes him stand out from the rest

Finally oga jona will be goin to maiduguri on thursday

APC as the opposition are doin their job making oga jona do d right thing