Southern state governor in reelection headache
A Southern state governor is in reelection headache following the reluctance of his party to grant him the privilege of automatic ticket granted his peers in the party. His headache
A Southern state governor is in reelection headache following the reluctance of his party to grant him the privilege of automatic ticket granted his peers in the party. His headache stemmed from a clash between his desire to obtain the party's nomination form and the realization that he might not enjoy the backing of the party's hierarchy, which has already dubbed his case as “peculiar”.
Consequently, he is torn between going ahead with his second term ambition with the risk of drawing the ire of the party's who is who or forgo his ambition and retire in peace. Asked why the governor would spend the staggering amount the party's nomination form costs when he is not sure of the fate that awaits him, an ally said, “Forget about money; that is not the issue. Like our people say, money na water.
“His real concern is that his political godfather, who singlehandedly piloted all affairs to make him a governor, appears to have foreclosed the possibility of supporting him for a second term.
“He must consider whether he has grown enough political muscles to run against the interest of the man that has been his backbone in politics.”
The embattled governor's condition is made even more peculiar by the fact that he does not control the structures of the party in his state unlike most other governors. And besides not enjoying his godfather's favour, he wields next to nothing in terms of influence among the local government chairmen and councillors who control affairs at the grassroots.
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Yet he is said to be urged on by some of his supporters who are telling him to reactivate the grassroots movement he was founded to counter opposition's activities at a time he once fell out with his godfather.
“But it will be wise for him not to succumb to the pressure mounted on him by some stakeholders who recently took it upon themselves to obtain nomination and expression of interest forms for him, and also ask himself some real questions.
“Indeed, he faces an uphill task running against the interest of a man known for his political prowess. He must sit in a tranquil environment and analyse his strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as he takes his final decision on his reelection.
