A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Uche Diala, speaks to Ismaeel Uthman about the deteriorating relationship between supporters of President Bola Tinubu from the South-West and the North

What prompted you to warn the APC about the deteriorating relationship between the North and President Bola Tinubu?s administration?

I was concerned about the direction of the polity, especially the relationship between supporters of President Bola Tinubu and some APC members from the South-West, and the North. I was a member of the Presidential Campaign Council in 2019 and was also drafted into the Women?s Campaign Council for the 2023 elections. I also led a nationwide support group. I know how we united and worked together as one family to mobilise voters across the nation to deliver victory for our party. No politically savvy or informed person can underplay the political strength of the North.

So, I became worried about the back-and-forth, the antagonism, and the growing tensions between many supporters of the President in the South-West and the North. I observed the deteriorating relationship between some elements in the South-West, particularly the President?s supporters. I felt uneasy because, if not properly managed, this situation could negatively impact the party and the President?s chances in 2027. My call was that of a patriotic, loyal, and informed party member. I see the danger, and we need to tone it down. If we fail to address it, it may escalate beyond control. It is like calling a family to order ? we must pay attention to these issues before they become problematic.

For whatever it is worth, the ongoing antagonism and disputes, especially involving some elements within the party, supporters of the President, and the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, are unnecessary and unhealthy. Party elders need to step in.

You have spoken in favour of El-Rufai and warned the party against alienating him. Do you see him as someone who could mobilise the North against President Tinubu?s second term?

You should never underestimate anyone in politics. At the same time, nobody is an individual champion. No individual can claim that without him or her the President cannot be re-elected. Given these facts, political issues must be navigated strategically. It is unwise to alienate individuals who have demonstrated loyalty both politically and personally. Every effort should be made to keep valuable allies within the fold. If someone ultimately decides to leave, it should be evident that they made that choice.

We know for a fact that El-Rufai was resolute in supporting President Tinubu in 2023. We should not pretend to be unaware of our recent history. El-Rufai played a crucial role in galvanising northern support for Tinubu. The North had a candidate in the 2023 election. If the North had overwhelmingly supported Atiku Abubakar, just as about 95% of my South-East people voted for Peter Obi, what do we think would have happened? This is why I emphasise the need to manage our relationship with the North carefully. It makes no sense to alienate those who sacrificed and believed in the President.

The APC must tread cautiously and avoid internal divisions. Everyone knows there is an ongoing conflict. The question is, has it escalated to a level where the President and party leaders can no longer contain it? I don?t think so. But if we are not careful, we might reach that point.

Northern political elites claim the President is marginalising them by favouring the South-West in key appointments. Do you think their concerns are genuine?

The essence of politi?s is interest, and for many, it is also about rewards. This is a global phenomenon, not just unique to Nigeria. Some Nigerian politicians rely solely on politics for their livelihood. They depend on appointments and other political privileges. For others, supporting a political cause is about empowerment and giving back to their people.

If certain groups feel that appointments are skewed in one direction, their concerns are understandable. However, should this lead to an attempt to destabilise the government? No, I don?t think so. Nevertheless, their grievances should be acknowledged. If there is evidence of an imbalance, it should be addressed. That is why I keep emphasising conflict prevention and resolution. The complaints of party members should not be dismissed.

If we argue that the North is being marginalised, someone like me from the South-East could make the same argument. However, what concerns me is the double standard in our approach. When someone from the South-East raises a similar issue, the response is often, ?How many votes did they contribute to the President?s victory?? But when northerners voice concerns, the narrative shifts to claims that they feel entitled to rule or are blackmailing the President. We should be consistent in our principles and values.

What are the chances of your party in future elections, given the current state of the country?

It is premature to discuss 2027 in detail. However, I raised it in my article because, after careful and objective analysis, I see potential challenges, distress or discomfort for my party and the President. Whether we acknowledge it or not, discussions about 2027 are already taking place.

The reality is that the economic situation in the country is biting harder. Anyone who claims this will not influence voters? decisions in 2027 is na?ve. However, we still have about a year and six months before the next election. A lot can be achieved within this period to address current challenges. There is still time to make necessary adjustments.

The government must review some of its policies and assess their outcomes. If certain policies are not yielding the desired results, they should be re-evaluated or modified. By the end of next year, when political activities intensify, people should have renewed hope. However, this hope must be tangible?it must be reflected in real improvements in people?s lives.

That is the duty we must fulfil, and that is why those of us supporting the President should not heat the polity. We are not even having meaningful discussions about the policies that have been implemented, analysing their pros and cons, and highlighting the positives. Instead, the conversation has been reduced to who is against whom and who lacks capacity. We need to focus on keeping the party united.

President Tinubu has embarked on very ambitious, daring, and even risky reforms in policies and programmes. However, no matter how well-intentioned these reforms are, if you lose the people?s support, attention, interest, cooperation, and goodwill, you will likely find yourself isolated. Even the best policies could be written off. Unfortunately, many of us who support the president or are members of the APC do not seem to understand these dynamics. If we did, we would focus on unity rather than engaging in tribal-based conflicts.

A few months ago, I wrote an article urging the President not to allow his administration to be ?Yorubanised.? That piece was addressed to the President, but it was not about him deliberately favouring Yoruba people in his government. Rather, it was about how some of his supporters from the South-West are presenting a picture that he is a Yoruba president. Are we mindful of the fact that Nigeria comprises multiple ethnic groups, each constantly scrutinising the others with suspicion? Every move the President makes will be analysed, especially given that he is from the South-West. Therefore, his kinsmen must approach issues more carefully. In reality, the best way to support him is by being objective and understanding the perspectives of people from other regions and political zones.

I believe the President should pay more attention to the concerns of the people. There is a lot of work to be done, not just by him but also by his supporters. If we alienate other supporters and make them feel excluded, leading to disinterest in the party?s vision, it will not benefit either the President or the APC.

My direct message to the President is to pay closer attention to the concerns, cries and grievances of Nigerians. He should scrutinise the actions of his team to ensure they align with his promises. He must ensure that his policies are yielding tangible results in line with his administration?s projections and plans. The APC family must also be managed properly so that no one feels sidelined or mistreated.

Mr President should leverage his political acumen to reconcile with those who have legitimate grievances. We need every loyal member we can get because the battle for 2027 will be vastly different from that of 2023. We must attract and retain trustworthy allies?especially those who have proved their commitment and delivered results for us in the past.

There are reports that the opposition is making moves to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. Do you see this as a threat to your party?s chances?

Every Nigerian has the right to freedom of association. I do not consider the opposition?s meetings and political manoeuvres to be of serious concern until their outcome becomes clear. My primary interest is in how APC members are working to galvanise and unify our party. If we fail to manage our internal affairs properly, we risk losing key allies to the opposition.

What is the current strength of the APC in the South-South and South-East?

The reality is that the South-East remains a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party. There should be continuous and pragmatic efforts to deepen the APC?s presence in the South-East, but unfortunately, that is not happening. Public statements aside, who are the real strategists driving this effort? If an election were held today, would the APC perform better in the South-East than it did in 2023? I am not confident that it would, and I am being realistic and sincere.

There were individuals from the South-East who, despite all odds, stood by and voted for the APC. Have we identified and acknowledged these people? These are the real foot soldiers. Some of them lost their lives; others are in exile and cannot even visit their communities. How well are we treating those who have risked everything for the party? These are the people we must empower because they are the ones who will fight for us when the time comes. There is a lot of work to be done.

The South-South presents a mixed scenario. It remains a PDP stronghold, but there are opportunities. Rivers State, which has the largest number of votes in the region, is currently politically uncertain. However, if the APC plays its cards well, it has the chance to make significant inroads.

Mr President has the ability to build relationships across party lines and regional divides. The key question is: how effective will that strategy be? How will we manage the various forces that might seek to destabilise or distract from this objective? These are critical considerations we must address. (Sunday PUNCH)

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