By Felix Durumbah, Abuja
Politics –and elections of any sort–,especially if free and fair, often show up aspirants and how they stand with their people.
That was so glaring on Saturday, 16 May, as some results of primary elections conducted by the federally-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country began to tumble in.
Two contrasting results showed how politics can throw up perspectives on individuals.
For instance, in Katsina State, while Yusuf Buhari, the son of immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, now late, won convincingly in his native Sandamu/Daura/Maiadua federal constituency, Imo State head of Seyi Tinubu’s City Boy Movement (CBM), Cubana Chief Priest (real names Pascal Okechukwu), was roundly rejected by electors in his own native Orsu/Orlu/Oru East constituency.
It was a tale of whom the people felt more comfortable with, politics watchers explained.
Yusuf Buhari garnered 5,849 votes to defeat Auwal Lawal Daura, the son of sacked Director General (DG), Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, who nicked 21 votes.
Apparently throwing his hat in the politics ring, the younger Buhari will consequently fly the APC flag for his constituency for a House of Representatives seat in next year’s general elections.
People&Politics recalls that in late April, stakeholders in the constituency had, by consensus, picked Buhari for the seat.
Speaking at the time after the younger Buhari’s adoption, APC Chairman, Mai’adua Local Government, Mannir Musa, had enjoined party members to accept the outcome in good faith.
He said: “I urge all our people to be obedient and accept the consensus reached by the committee and stakeholders in good faith. We should all work together for the unity and progress of the party and our people.”
In Imo, Cubana Chief Priest lost to Canice More Nwachukwu, the incumbent Rep for the constituency, who is in his second term.
The lawmaker coasted home with the party’s ticket via a massive landslide.
Of the 2,845 total votes cast, Cubana managed to get 14 votes, losing by a heavy margin.
Though Cubana has been publicly supportive of the President Bola Tinubu administration and the APC, leading to his CBM top appointment, if the primary result is to be regarded as barometer of his acceptance, then this is negative.
The CBM has been criticized in the South-East, where Cubana hails from, as not resonating with the vital political interests of people of the zone.
CBM is an urban style, youth-based organization engaged in sundry activities and utilizing several approaches to ensure President Tinubu gets a second term next year.
Analysts said Cubana’s loss showed that his people believe he is, for now, not the right man to represent them.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Cubana Chief Priest (r) at a City Boy Movement event.
