The total dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC by 2019 has been revealed as the untold reason why President Muhammadu Buhari government will continue and sustain its massive crack down on corrupt politicians, Ripples Nigeria reported
It was learnt according to Ripples Nigeria that the hunt for perceived enemies of the state is beyond the anti-graft war as has been widely speculated.
The last three months have witnessed a rash of arrests, mostly of top government officials who served in the Goodluck Jonathan administration and their ‘collaborators’ in the corporate world. The most recent were the dramatic invitation and arrest of Femi Fani-Kayode, Jonathan’s former Campaign Director, and Barrister Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a known critic of Buhari’s seeming permissive disrespect for the rule of law.
Theirs were preceded by the detention and release of the Managing Directors of Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank and Access Bank. There are speculations that a very top official of First Bank may also have been picked by operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While Adegboruwa has been accused of ‘419’ activities, the bank chiefs are alleged to have partaken in Dasukigate and the looting of $15 billion earmarked for arms purchase.
Very competent sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have confided in Ripples Nigeria that the sustained battle against ‘corruption’ is deliberate and orchestrated, and aimed at clearing the way for total dominance of the party in the 2019 elections. But this is only the broad perspective. Our sources say that the minor details lay in the hidden struggle for the control of the party structure and soul of the APC.
“APC is stewed in opposition politics. We are veterans and understand what it means to put our opponents on the defensive all the time. PDP was a behemoth, and still remains largely so with a massive financial chest. We know that with a slim majority across the states and the National Assembly, our hold on the polity would be tenuous.
“The move to decimate PDP is strategic and deliberate. It’s the wisest and safest thing to do in the circumstance, if we hope to consolidate the reins of power in 2019. We don’t want to be a one-term government, the source stated.
He continued that “The PDP made themselves game by the reckless looting of the nation’s treasury. We knew they were desperate to retain power in 2015 and stole heavily to fund the campaigns. It was easy to track their sources of funding because of our network within the presidency. The revelations so far are a tip of the iceberg. By the time we are done, PDP would barely crawl,” our source said.
He admitted that rumblings within the party had become a major threat to its stability but was quick to add that APC was focused on the primary task of putting PDP in disarray.
“Yes, it’s true that powerful elements within the APC hierarchy are engaged in a fierce struggle for control of the party machinery. Not even the presidency is uninterested. Buhari is arguably one of the hungriest and smartest Nigeria politicians alive. He knows that he must work to keep the party structure with him. Don’t be deceived, the ‘anti-corruption war’ may swing either way and come in handy as a joker.”
The source also noted that discerning party chieftains are already wary of this and plotting safety valves, just in case Mr President decides to table his ace.
“In spite of all the rumblings, we are focused on the one goal of returning to power in 2019. This is paramount to all APC faithful”, our source said.
