Opposition politics and determination of an incumbent -By Segun Ojomo

The strength of the opposition in the Nigerian polity is becoming enhanced with the attraction of what could be described as corrivalry by the present crop of political office seekers in a bid to ensure that power changes hands, come 2015.

It is no longer news that at every opportunity given either at occasions or fora, a good number of intending candidates in the opposition have declared their intention to rally support for whoever emerges the flagbearer at their respective contesting states during party primaries prior to the general elections.

Before this time, it was common that contestants, after losing in the primaries, adopted the principle of leaping into the opposing political party for a show of dissaffection or to engender hope that their otherwise lost ambition in their former political party could be rekindled on their new platform.

This present solidarity cue is highly noticeable within the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in which an intending presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in a highly commendable fashion, was bold and consummate to declare that he would not, for any reason, shelve his presidential ambition on the platform of the APC while also promising to accept wholeheartedly the outcome of the oncoming presidential primary elections.

Also at the recent declaration for presidency by Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso of Kano State, a sitting South-South governor had declared that it did not matter if Kwankwanso did not emerge as the presidential flag bearer for the APC as the main issue was to unite and take over power in 2015.

Worthy of mention is also the presence of major contenders in the presidential race in the APC in the persons of retired General Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar at the formal declaration by the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, to run for a second term in office which undoubtedly is another show of corrivalry in Nigeria as well as an indicator of the importance of the North-Central state in the contention for power between the two major political parties in Nigeria.

At Ahmed’s declaration in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, it was a show of solidarity as the event was fully graced by serving governors of Sokoto, Kano, Rivers, Edo, including the erstwhile governor of Ekiti State.

In his speech at the occasion and amidst hailing and accolades from a large crowd, Governor Ahmed humbly thanked stakeholders and his supporters for their unflinching solidarity, stressing that they were not present for him but for their faith in Kwara and his administration’s proven capacity.

While emphasising his establishment of Government of Continuity, he mentioned a number of achievements of his administration viz: provision of jobs for 10,200 youths; N700 million in micro credit scheme for 14,000 small businesses; expanded and free education to secondary school level and the rehabilitation of hundreds of classrooms; remodelling, modernisation and equipping of hospitals in Ilorin, Offa, Share, Omu-Aran and Kaiama leading to provision of healthcare for about 85,000 Kwarans which has earned the state global recognition including the OEC prize in Paris, France.

Others are the connection of 400 communities to PHCN and the provision of potable water within 800 metres’ radius in the state; completion of key inherited projects in the state’s senatorial districts and the provision of N215 million in revolving micro credit to 170 out grower farmers across the state.

He was quick to deliver that stressing on the achievements of his administration, by 2015, all homes would have pipe-borne water through the ongoing project.

He thanked APC party leaders in the state and, especially, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki for his endorsement and his trust in him, while reaffirming his belief in the political structure laid down by the Turakin Ilorin which he said had given hope to the hopeless and democratised access to political power exemplified by his attainment of governoship position despite being a son of a humble police officer.

With the mammoth crowd that attended his reelection rally, Ahmed has really sent shockers to the camp of his opponents. How the election will go next year will depend on his determination to return to the Government House and the strong will of his opponents to wrest power from him.