Commentary: Amaechi’s harsh reality and APC’s failed incursion into Rivers

The March 26 election conducted in Rivers state for most was a battle of supremacy between Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi and the current governor of Rivers state Barr Nyesom Wike.
For others, it was a chance for the present minister of transportation to ice the cake of victory he gained over the last president and his wife as one of the leaders of the APC in the last elections, while for some it was simply a battle for an oil-rich state. While all these assertions may have their merits, I saw the election as much more than that.
The harsh reality for Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi is that in the league of power brokers within the APC he is holding on to nothing.

His claim to being the undisputed leader of the people of the south-south is rather empty and in the long run he would have to prove his political relevance to his “brother” President Muhammadu Buhari.
History is littered with strongmen who led their region to the table of national discussion and negotiation from time to time. From Chief Awolowo down to Senator Bola Tinubu, Chief Michael Okpara to Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, even the Current president’s political following in the North is second to none.
Rotimi Amaechi didn’t pretend about the importance of last week’s polls and his relocation to rivers to lead his party’s charge in the polls confirmed the notion that he is desperate to prove that he is on ground. After all how can one lead when he does not have followers? (whether they are willing or not).
Results declared by INEC so far have painted a picture of electoral failure for the APC and I dare say the remaining results would follow this pattern. Federal might was once blamed for the woes of the APC in Rivers state in the last election and right now with Federal might the party is still staring defeat in the face.
For a self-proclaimed Lion I believe Rotimi Amaechi should not be counted out just yet as the fight in him has never been in doubt.
If Rotimi Amaechi is to lead his party to any form of electoral victory in Rivers state and in the south-south geo-political region by extension, the current president would have a big role to play.
97% and 5% pronouncements should be far from the tongue of the president and trust-building with the people of the region should be of paramount importance to the president. That is the only way in which anyone who wants to lead the region from the APC can start making any form of headway.
As for the elections conducted last weekend and the ones to come, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi should accept the inevitable defeat of his party in good faith, there will be more battles in future.
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Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija
Opinion article written by Chinyere Akatobi, who can be reached on Twitter @prolific_jackk