Tag: PDP

In line with a recent Supreme Court ruling, the governing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State is set to organise local government elections next month. However, the party faces an internal squabble over the primary, which was conducted to pick candidates to fly its flag in the election scheduled to be held on October 9. In this report, Correspondent KOLADE ADEYEMI examines how the party is trying to manage the fallout from the primary and how it may create an opportunity for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to launch itself back into reckoning with the people.

The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State is going back to the polls next month to test its popularity among the people. The last time it did that was in the 2023 general election where the ruling floored the then-incumbent All Progressive Congress (APC) and took over political affairs in the state.

The 2023 electoral victory that transformed the PDP from an opposition party to the ruling party is about to be tested in another poll on October 9, 2024, in the scheduled local government election across the 17 local governments.

Observers believe the forthcoming council election will determine the ruling party’s popularity after its massive victory at the 2023 polls, particularly considering the policies and programmes of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

All the major political parties have conducted their primaries in readiness for the cones. Aside from the ruling PDP, the other parties that are fielding candidates for the election are the All Progressives Congress (APC), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Labour Party (LP), the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

The ruling party’s strategy is to use the forthcoming council polls to consolidate its 2023 victory and its hold on power on the Plateau. However, it is already facing some challenges in its bid to clear all the available elective positions in the election. The primary has revealed cracks within the fold, which must be filled to enable it to contest next month’s contest as a united entity. Some stakeholders are aggrieved because of what transpired during the primary and intend to sabotage the party on election day.

But its chairman, Chris Hassan believes there is no cause for alarm. Hassan admitted that there are cracks to be mended. He said: “Normally in an election, you must have issues; it’s part of politics. If there are no issues, it means something is wrong somewhere. So, it’s natural to have differences, but the party has an internal mechanism to resolve them. We have a reconciliatory committee; it’s just a matter of reactivating it to bring all the aggrieved stakeholders together to resolve our issues.

“The primary has come and gone, our focus now is for the PDP to win in all the 17 local governments. We have 325 councillor seats, and we want to win all of them; that is why we are talking to ourselves. From the ward executives to the local government executives, the level of consensus is about 95 to 98 per cent. This shows that we have a few issues to resolve.

“We must identify where the problems are and move quickly and reach out to those who are aggrieved so that we can come together. I want to assure everyone that the turnout for the October 9 election will be tremendous. The opposition parties will regret participating in the election. Party faithful should have confidence in the internal mechanisms of our party; we will resolve all issues.”

Read Also: Nigeria to save N5.4tr from subsidy removal in 2024, says Abiodun

On the need for dialogue among all stakeholders, Hassan who spoke through his Personal Assistant, Media and Protocol Officer, Mr Kefas Simdi said: “For the PDP to achieve electoral success and effective governance in Plateau State, fostering inclusive dialogue is essential to address the concerns arising from the PDP primaries in the state, reconciliation mechanisms will need to be robust and inclusive.”

Other PDP stalwarts across the state want the party leadership to initiate a dialogue that would include all stakeholders, especially those who feel marginalized by the primary. This would involve the aggrieved aspirants and the party members who supported them. Such dialogues should aim to acknowledge grievances, discuss them openly, and seek mutually agreeable solutions. By doing so, the party can prevent further alienation of these members and strengthen unity.

On the need for conflict resolution, former Publicity Secretary, John Akans said: “Establishing conflict resolution committees composed of neutral party members respected by all factions could help mediate disputes. These committees would investigate allegations of manipulation or imposition during the primary and recommend corrective measures. Ensuring transparency in their proceedings will be crucial for restoring trust.”

The party also acknowledged that there should be a power-sharing formula. He added: “To address the issue of favouritism or perceived imposition of candidates, the PDP could consider implementing power-sharing agreements at the local level. This might involve giving key positions in the party’s executive councils to representatives of the factions that lost out in the primary. This would give them a sense of belonging.

“Providing a formal platform for aggrieved candidates to express their grievances could also help mitigate their discontent. If such appeals are handled fairly and transparently, it can create a sense of justice and reduce the potential for defections to other parties.

“The party leadership could also reinforce discipline by ensuring that all members adhere to the decisions reached through the party’s internal reconciliation mechanism. This might include setting clear guidelines and applying sanctions if necessary. As the council election approaches, engaging grassroots members who supported various candidates can help rebuild confidence in the party’s processes.

“This might involve organizing town hall meetings or other forms of direct engagement where party leaders can explain the reasons for the decisions made and reassure members of their commitment to the party’s collective success. By implementing these mechanisms, the PDP can address the internal fractures caused by the primary and present a united front in the forthcoming local government elections.”

However, sources close to the governor say he wants to organise a free and fair election to improve his outlook on the international stage. This brings to the fore the need to reconcile grievances.

But, the Plateau State chapter of the APC also intends to capitalize on the forthcoming election to win back the support of the people. It is mapping out its strategies to win all 17 local governments during the October 9 council election. The party said it is fully prepared to give the ruling party a run for its money in the election. APC Chairman, Rufus Bature indicated at the party’s stakeholders meeting that the APC does not only want to participate in the election but to win convincingly, based on its level of preparedness and the anticipated support from the people, particularly critical stakeholders.

He said: “It might interest you to know that, right from the time PLASEIC announced its preparedness to conduct the local government elections, the State Working Committee quickly appointed a desk officer and also assigned an organizing secretary together with a welfare officer to monitor the activities of PLASEIC concerning the elections. So far so good, because the assigned officers have not given us any cause to worry.

“Preparatory to the elections, a well thought out itinerary was rolled out which included among other things the sale of forms, screening of aspirants and the primary elections which afterwards, were adjudged as one of the most credible, peaceful, transparent as well as free and fair primary.

“Furthermore, appeal panels were set up to hear petitions arising from the conduct of the primary elections and to our admiration and satisfaction, all went well. Notwithstanding our challenges, the APC is on the threshold of changing the political narrative, if we put our act together and capitalise on the inadequacies of the PDP-led administration. Take or leave it, there is a ground swelling resentment and disappointment with the performance of the Mutfwang government in Plateau State.”

The opposition party pointed out that “apart from non-performance in all spheres of the life and sectors of the economy, the people are living in pains and tears due to bad policies, as well as autocratic behaviour of the government. It is a sad commentary to note that despite the unprecedented billions of naira collected by the PDP-led administration in the forms of federal allocations and intervention funds, not to mention internally generated revenues; it has nothing to show except flimsy and shameless excuses, as well as scapegoating the past administration.

“It is in the public domain that the Mutfwang government and its illegal Transition Implementation Committees since inception collected over N400 billion from FAAC and other forms of revenues, including loans, without a project worth N100 million to show for it either at the state or local government level.

“The ball is now in our court; the people are angry with the government; they are in pain and tears; never before have we had a mindless and visionless administration like the one we have now on the Plateau. We must come together; and put aside all our differences and selfish interests. Let us put the party’s interest first, and also the taking over the affairs of the state as our cardinal target and goal.”

Plateau State APC leader, Senator Simon Lalong agrees with Bature that the party is united and focused on winning the forthcoming local government poll. He said: “I’m impressed with the unity in the APC, and we are prepared for the coming local government elections. We will ensure we win the entire chairmanship and councillorship positions in the election.”

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in Ondo governorship election in November, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, has pledged to turn around the economic fortune of the state, if he is elected.

Ajayi, a former deputy governor in the state, who assured his readiness to serve, said he would actualise his mission by harnessing the state’s human and material resources.

In a media briefing with reporters at the weekend, the opposition party’s candidate said he was vying for the office to rescue the state from maladministration, insecurity and economic misfortune.

Unveling his plans for the state, Ajayi, who was also a member of the House of Representative, revealed seven areas, which his manifesto covers.

According to him, government will focus on sustainable economic development, where modern infrastructure, efficient transportation, vibrant marine and blue economy, striving agriculture, robust industrialization, quality education and affordable health care would be delivered.

The candidate added that his programme will unveil comprehensive human development, adequate security, and other components of fundamental objectives and direct principles of state policy as captured in the 1999 Constitution  of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

On security, Ajayi said: “My administration will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies particularly Amotekun, forest guards, vigilantes and traditional hunters through advance training and provision of appropriate equipment and required legislations.

Read Also: Fed Govt okays N350b to support dams, irrigation facilities, says minister

“We will incorporate and engage traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders in implementing community policing and neighborhood watch for the safety of our people.

 “We will invest heavily in technology by deploying modern surveillance and intelligent gathering technologies to effectively monitor hotspots and vulnerable areas such as forest reserves and farmlands with a view to preventing and responding to crime appropriately.

Speaking on agriculture, Ajayi said:  “This remains the main stay of the State’s economy.

“Our policy in this sector will be anchored on promoting self-sufficiency in food production so as to meet the United Nation Food Security mandate.’

He said he would achieve his goal by providing training and support for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques as well as provide incentives to investors to establish agro-processing industry so as to add value to agricultural products, reduce post-harvest loses, create jobs for the youth and thereby grow the economy of the state.

“We shall sustain agricultural practices for long time productivity by ensuring the availability of fertilizers and agricultural input at subsidized rate.

He also promised to provide tractors for farmers at subsidized rate, and establish procurement agency that will provide ready market for all the state’s agricultural produce.

Investors, he added, would be encouraged to participate in large scale farming, animal husbandry, poultry and aqua-culture by providing land and creating enabling environment.

 On education, Ajayi said: ‘We will ensure quality education for economic development, social equity, technological advancement and cultural preservation for sustainable development.

“To achieve desirable workforce suitable for a knowledge-driven economy, the inputs from the primary and secondary schools must be well prepared.

“The quality of input from the tertiary institution will determine the quantity of their input.

“We will ensure that quality primary and secondary schools are built and well renovated with the provision for Information technology.

‘The recruitment of quality teachers and purchase of educational materials will be our priority.

“The tertiary education will be well funded through increase in budgetary allocation.

“We will encourage increase in IGR through sellable Research Entrepreneurship” adding that, .

Affordable tuition fees in the institutions will be negotiated with the stakeholders.

 According to the candidate who promised to address the challenging trend in the sector, promised to site at least, one primary health centre in each of 203 wards in the state.

He also promised provision of essential drugs, hospital consumables and laboratory services to patients at affordable cost in all public medical facilities across the state will be our priority.

The erstwhile lawmaker said mother and child hospitals will be established in Ondo South and Ondo North Senatorial districts within the three years of his administration to complement the existing one at the Central Senatorial District.

While vowing to give the welfare of medical officers in state a preference, he adde that his government will establish pharmaceutical manufacturing industries in the state to produce drug for sale to government institutions and the general public.

On infrastructure and marine economy development, Àjàyí, who lamented huge deficit within that sector in the state, said: “We will pay attention to rehabilitation of roads, construction of waterways, provision of rural and urban electrification, enhancement and improvement in clean and pipe borne water delivery for the benefit of our people.

“We will ensure that the roads that need dualization in the three senatorial districts are vigorously pursued.

“We will ensure that the moribund companies in Ondo State are resuscitated and where this is impossible, we will encourage the establishment of new ones.

“All these will be pursued with the singular purpose of creating massive employment opportunities for the people of the state.”

Àjayi also promised to revive the rural development and environment by improving rural road network., Rural Housing Scheme among others.

He pledged a turn around for the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and restore it to its core mandate to meet the expectations of oil producing communities in the state.

 He said his administration will grant full autonomy to local government areas both in finance and governance as well as ensure the process of local government election was open to all.

Noting the place of youth and women in the scheme of things, Àjayi said he will devote special attention to that sector.

“The new PDP administration in the state will prioritise programmes that will ensure the accelerated development of youths and women.

“Our administration will pursue sports development, not just for entertainment, physical fitness and a unifying factor, but also as a veritable source of empowerment for youths and young adults within the state and offshore.

“Under our watch, great attention will be accorded to social development initiatives to the advantage of youths, women, the aged and vulnerable people in the state, just as government will ensure that civil servants and retirees in the state are honoured with the best of treatment in line with standard of global practices.”

• By Hilary Otsu

The defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in last Saturday’s governorship election Edo State was largely predicted on the internal rancour that bedevilled the state chapter of the party.

Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), defeated the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo by 291,667 votes to 247,274 votes. The Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata came a distant third with 22,763 votes.

For a state that had been ruled by the (PDP), the election was seen as a referendum on the outgoing administration headed by Governor Godwin Obaseki. The referendum boiled down to delivery of good governance and management of human relationships.

In both respects, the PDP entered the election on a negative.

The election was held on a rainy day that clearly demonstrated the government’s failure in road infrastructure.

It would be recalled that election materials were late to arrive because of the rains which prevented vehicular movements largely on account of the bad roads that have emerged in many areas of the state.

So, for many voters the visible impact of bad roads was a reflection of their bad review of the Obaseki years in governance. Without reference to the promises of the PDP candidate, it was the suggestion of many that so long as the PDP candidate was riding on the support of Obaseki that he would continue on that trajectory.

However, even more than the visible impact of road infrastructure was the poor management of human relations which made Obaseki to be a loner on election day.

Read Also: Nigeria to save N5.4tr from subsidy removal in 2024, says Abiodun

That figure of political loneliness was captured during the collation of election results at the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) headquarters in Benin when the governor drove alone to complain about the alleged manipulation of figures.

Commenting on the development, Obaseki’s deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, who is estranged from him said that the governor need not have done that were it not for his loneliness.

“We were the ones who used to do all such things for him. He need not have gone to INEC office by himself,” Shaibu said on Arise Television on Tuesday.

That claim of loneliness was largely reflected in the way the governor reportedly pushed aside those who backed him to power who crystallised into the Legacy Group.

After he was pushed away from the APC in June 2020, Obaseki was welcomed into the PDP with mixed feelings. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama who was on a roller-coaster to win the PDP governorship ticket was made promises including a senate ticket which never came to pass.

The party which had Chief Dan Orbih, the national vice-chairman, South South as leader gave him every support. Orbih became campaign manager and mounted the rostrum every where in Edo State to pave victory for Obaseki in 2020.

Following the victory, Obaseki took more than 11 months to constitute his cabinet. In that time he ran the government with the two former APC members he brought with him to government; his deputy, Shaibu and the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie.

Mutters began to be expressed by the PDP members who thought that having sacrificed the two top positions in government that Obaseki will reward them. But no. The governor’s response was that the PDP should dissolve its structures across the state so that he would appoint those who came with him from the APC into the PDP structures.

The PDP members firmly rebuffed him. That was the beginning of the crisis. Many PDP members told him to go with his government and that they would hold their party.

Dr Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the state chapter of the party, was at one time suspended and recalled as the crisis grew.

As the crisis grew, Obaseki summoned some party leaders who were differential to him and senior government officials on October 11, 2021 where he announced the suspension of Orbih, Ogbeide-Ihama among others he defined as trouble makers.

“I will not leave PDP. I am the leader of PDP and by the grace of God I will lead PDP well. Any body that doesn’t want me to lead or want to accept my leadership will leave PDP for me,” he said on that day.

That was seen as the last straw on the camel’s back by many. It was following this that Orbih who had held the party for more than a 15 years before Obaseki began separating with him.

Orbih started coalescing the old PDP members and eventually became known as the Legacy PDP. With the power of incumbency, the group despite having the majority of supporters in the state executive, lost the recognition of the national leadership of the party who ceded party tickets in the 2023 election to the candidates’ slate presented by Obaseki.

The Legacy Group kept away from the 2023 General Election, and where not, supported others against their party leading to the humiliating defeat of the PDP in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

It was the first time that the PDP would lose the National Assembly elections in Edo State as the party did not win a single Senate seat. Indeed, even with Adams Oshiomhole as governor, the PDP was able to show muscle in National Assembly elections getting the majority of seats.

The National Assembly election results in 2023 forced Obaseki on a save-my life crusade ahead of the State House of Assembly election. His motif was to insinuate that a defeat for the PDP would lead to the emergence of an APC House that would be dominated by Adams Oshiomhole.

It was a trick that worked somewhat. The PDP eventually won control of the House of Assembly in March 2023. That House of Assembly victory perhaps gave Obaseki the confidence that he could still muscle his way through in the governorship election. Though he tried to make peace with Orbih but the effort was not seen as convincing enough.

For the first time Obaseki showed up at the traditional Christmas party hosted by Orbih at his Ogbona country home to identify with him last December. But many saw it as a move by the governor to buy over those he had consistently derided as dead woods.

When Asue Ighodalo emerged as candidate, the governor, against the advice of Legacy PDP members and others insisted on foisting Osarodion Ogie, seen as one of his surrogates who came with him from the APC, as the running mate.

It meant that for two election circles that the original PDP would not have any of its own on the ticket of the party.

Obaseki’s fate was worsened by the way he managed the PDP primary, which led almost all of the 10 other aspirants who vied for the ticket with Ighodalo to take position against their party. Though Orbih was not visible in the public face of marshalling the opposition, he nevertheless was believed to have been the fulcrum around with the opposition by the PDP Legacy members vented out their frustration.

Obaseki it would be said helped to bring diverse foes together to stop what many of them saw as a third term for himself. The  result was the bruising defeat of the PDP which on election day did not have the ground commanders to protect the votes the party claimed to have polled.

• Otsu, is a political analyst, wrote from Benin