The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State faces a tough task going into the local government elections scheduled for next month. In this report, KOLADE ADEYEMI examines the fallout of the party primaries and the efforts so far made to mend the cracked walls of the ruling party.
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 was in the 2023 general election when the ruling party floored the then incumbent All Progressive Congress (APC) and took over the political affairs of the state.
The 2023 electoral victory which transformed PDP from an opposition party to a ruling party is about to be tested in another poll on October 9 in the local government elections scheduled to hold across the 17 LGAs of the state.
The scheduled council election is believed to be a factor that will determine the popularity of the ruling party since its massive victory at the 2023 polls. Questions are being asked in certain quarters around the state as to whether the ruling party has squandered the goodwill it earned at the 2023 polls or whether it is still as popular as it was before the 2023, or whether the incumbent administration in the state is demonstrating the true essence of people’s party as expected considering the policies and programmes of the governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang.
The electoral processes that will culminate in the council elections have begun with the party primaries successfully and peacefully held by contending political parties in the state, especially the ruling PDP, the main opposition party APC and other opposition parties like ADC, LP, PRP and NNPP.
However, the strategies of the ruling party to use the expected council polls to consolidate on its 2023 victory is not without challenges. The outcome of the party primaries alone is enough a challenge for the ruling party and the incumbent administration of Barrister Caleb Mutfwang. The primaries have revealed cracks in the party. The stakeholders are already in dispute among themselves with some already planning evil against their own party and government at the council polls.
It is no exaggeration to say that all is not well within the ruling party as the state draw nearer to the council elections. The threats are obvious.
But the state chairman of the party, Hon. Chris Hassan, says there is no cause for alarm even though he admitted that there are indeed cracks to be mended.
The State PDP Chairman, Hon. Chris Hassan, speaking through his Personal Assistant Media and Protocol Officer, Mr Kefas Simdi, said: “Normally, in an election, you must have issues. It is part of politics. If there are no issues, it means something is wrong somewhere.
“So, it is natural to have issues, and the party has an internal mechanism to resolve them.
“We have a regulatory committee already in place. It is just a matter of reactivating it to bring all the aggrieved stakeholders together to resolve our issues.
“The primary elections have come and gone, so what we are focusing on now is for PDP to win in all the 17 local government areas.
“We have 325 councillorship 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 few issues to resolve.
“We identify where the problems are and we are moving quickly to reach out to those who are aggrieved so that we can come together.
“I want to assure everyone in the state that the voter turnout we are going to get in this October 9th election will be tremendous, and opposition parties will regret participating in the election.
“Party faithful should have confidence in the ability of the internal mechanisms of the party to resolve all issues.”
Speaking further on need for inclusive dialogue among party stakeholders, Hassan 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 PDP leadership to initiate dialogues that include all stakeholders, especially those who feel marginalised by the primaries. This would involve both the candidates who lost 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, a member of the party acknowledged that “establishing conflict resolution committees made up of neutral party members respected by all factions could help mediate disputes.
“These committees can investigate allegations of manipulation or imposition during the primaries 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.
“To address the issue of favoritism 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 local executive councils to representatives of the factions that lost out in the primaries, ensuring they have a stake in the upcoming elections.”
Mending the crack walls resulting from the PDP primaries also involved appeal and redress mechanisms.
“Providing a formal platform for aggrieved candidates to appeal the outcomes of the primaries could also help mitigate discontent. If 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 party members adhere to the decisions reached through reconciliation.
“This might include setting clear expectations for behavior during and after the reconciliation process and applying sanctions if necessary,” said Hon. John Akans, former state publicity secretary of PDP.
As the state approaches the council election, engaging grassroots members who supported various candidates can help rebuild confidence in the party’s processes. This might involve organising 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 primaries and present a united front in the upcoming local government elections”.
Within the remaining days to the council elections, there is no doubt that a thorough, comprehensive and effective reconciliation mechanism that resonate with a larger segment of the electorate that will lead to internal party cohesion is strengthened when members feel heard and valued.
Inclusive dialogue can help resolve internal disputes and create a united front. A party that is seen as inclusive and responsive is more likely to gain support and win elections.
“Engaging with various stakeholders and addressing their needs can significantly boost the PDP’s electoral prospects, said former state PDP chairman Hon. Raymond Dabo.
However, sources close to the Governor informed journalists that he ( Governor) wants to also organise a free and fair election in order to improve his outlook on the international stage. This brings to the fore the need to reconcile grievances.
