The Edo election has come and (maybe not entirely) gone. Governor Godwin Obaseki of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) emerged winner, while Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) had the most votes after him. And, as is the usual manner, certain conversations have started, following the now different power dynamics in the state. These conversations didn’t start at the result announcement. The drama that ensued, before, during the election – and might continue – got too many people within and outside Nigeria talking and threatening far-reaching actions.

It is not strange for political actors to make interesting comments during an election, in fact, monologues and climatic comments make the whole drama more captivating. But, what can be considered strange now depends on who is making the comment and the circumstances surrounding it.

On Sunday, September 21, when the winner of the election was announced, former governor of Imo and one of the founding members of the APC, Senator Rochas Okorocha, spoke to journalists about the election, saying the party is driving towards a ditch and what is left is simply respect for President Muhammadu Buhari. Interesting times indeed, this is why we have broken his statement into five talking points:

1. Edo residents fought against injustice

For the longest, part of the controversies that existed with the Edo election is the political drama that has existed between the APC and the PDP. According to Okorocha, Edo people voted for what they wanted and it must be commended.

However, Okorocha raising the flag for Edo and commending her people for electing based on whom they find credible is also questionable. Rochas has at some point, himself been dragged in his own state, Imo, for trying to force his son-in-law on Imo residents as a replacement for him in the position of power. This goes beyond just sheer endorsement and approval – Rochas typically anointed his son-in-law to take up the mantle of leadership after him. Luckily, it didn’t go as planned.

2. APC might have had a good plan, but politicians are usually anti-progressive:

The APC in 2019 had a very attractive mandate – Change! Who isn’t excited about change? Especially if it is in the right direction? With one word, the party promised Nigerians heaven and earth and has failed to deliver.

APC was built on Buhari the chief cornerstone, and his exit starting from 2022 will leave the party unsustainable.

What sustain anything that will last is the reputation and vision of the founding fathers.

This one is nothing but a total sham.

— Ayemojubar ? (@ayemojubar) September 21, 2020

APC is undoubtedly going to shatter by 2022. Coz Even the respect they have for Buhari is fading. As for we the people, our own respect for him is dead already.

— El-Muhammed Omoniyi (@IamOhmai) September 21, 2020

Speaking on the history of APC, Okorocha told journalists that: “…unless we go back to where it all started, APC can never see the light of the day and that was how we started and that was what brought President Muhammadu Buhari to office…”

3. APC is still a party because of respect for Buhari

The APC was formed by four major political parties. Parties led by President Buhari, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbonnaya Onu, and Okorocha, respectively.

Does the Buhari respect the people? Very wicked and heartless set of people always praising the wicked Buhari just to hang on to power to keep lining up their bank accounts.

— Ola Michael (@OlaMich76517768) September 21, 2020

Who respect Mr Buhari? He is only after the welfare of himself, his family and his cabinets. He is a MISANTHROPIST

— Kabir (@Kabirmancity) September 21, 2020

It was the decision of these political actors to place Buhari as the forerunner in the race for the presidency and for one reason – they believed his ideas. Okorocha states that in APC today, the president is only respected and it is this respect that has kept the founding fathers together.

4. People are fed up of APC and they know it:

“…I don’t think there is anything like APC because people are beginning to get fed up. Again, PDP is not even better, the party has its own challenges.” Nigerians embraced the promise of change when it was sold like new yams in the market.

But this change has so crippled Nigeria in too many ways. Nigerians are typically tired of the APC and as it appears, the members of the party are aware that people are tired of their incapabilities to deliver on their promise.

5. There’s still hope for APC:

“…What we have is our respect for the person of President Buhari and we still believe that something can be done…”

I agree with him, but honestly he and the rest are part of the problem. And for me except the structure of the party is handed over to the younger guys in the party it might collapse after 2023

— Usha Kwabena (@Ushasaai14) September 20, 2020

The APC lead government need to do the needful and changed the way things are handling by some people, if not history will repeat it self.

— Usman shehu (@babasheikh24) September 20, 2020

APC came with the promise of change and the fight against corruption. Depending on how you look at it, we have all been experiencing that change and the attention on corruption has never been any stronger. Okorocha, like many other Nigerians, still believe in an APC that will eventually cause progressive change in Nigeria.