In the unfolding political chessboard of Nigeria, where defections are often driven by personal interest rather than ideological conviction, the decision of Professor Zana Akpagu to align with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) comes not as a mere movement across party lines, but as a defining moment in the politics of Cross River State and the nation at large.
Professor Zana Akpagu is no ordinary politician. His name resonates with excellence, benevolence, and purpose. As former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, he was a beacon of transformative leadership. His administration was not just a phase, it was a revolution in thought and practice. He opened the doors of the university to more students, expanded the workforce, and ensured that academic and non-academic staff found dignity in their duties. Under his stewardship, education became more inclusive, more just, and more impactful. He didn’t just lead; he inspired.
His brand of leadership was defined by confidence without arrogance, justice without partiality, and magnanimity without pretense. Zana Akpagu, a man known for his brilliance and depth, carried himself above the narrow confines of ethnic sentiments. He was, and remains, a highly detribalized Nigerian, a bridge-builder whose service was never reduced to sectional loyalty. His ideas were not only smart, they were visionary, drawn from a deep well of intellect and practical wisdom.
Now, his entry into the PDP is not just a feather in the party’s cap; it is a strategic repositioning of the opposition as a credible alternative. His presence alongside the rising political force of Senator Jarigbe Agom represents a formidable wave of popularity, credibility, and tested capacity. These are not men who require rented crowds or manufactured applause, they are men whose names have long been written in the hearts of the people.
What we are witnessing is the early formation of a real contest in the North of Cross River State, one that may leave the ruling APC gasping for relevance. For the first time in recent history, we see a shift where the ruling party may begin to wear the face of the opposition. Why? Because the calibre of candidates the opposition is presenting is no longer the usual crowd of pretenders, but a group of experienced, accomplished, and people-driven leaders.
As we approach the coming elections, the national context cannot be ignored. The APC-led federal government has suffered an embarrassing erosion of public trust. It is a government born out of propaganda, sustained by mass manipulation, and emboldened by a ruthless disregard for democratic norms and the rule of law. Never has a government started on such a destructive note. The soaring cost of living, institutional decay, and insecurity have pushed even the most apolitical Nigerians into the arena of civic anger. The fear of seeing Nigeria hit rock bottom has become real, and that fear is turning into sympathy for the opposition like never before.
At the grassroots, therefore, the call is clear. We can no longer gamble our future on rhetoric and recycled failures. We must embrace men with proven records, those whose past speaks for their future. Professor Zana Akpagu is one of such men. His defection is not about politics, it is about purpose. It is about rallying men and women of goodwill to reclaim our democracy and restore dignity to governance.
In the battles ahead, may we remember this: popularity without purpose is noise. But purpose with credibility is power, and that power is what the likes of Zana Akpagu now bring to the table. Let the contest begin.
