As the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on December 9, 2017 gradually approaches, the stakes have become higher. From the North to the South, the key stakeholders in the party are raising the bar through intrigues so as to get a better bargain at the end of the elective exercise, a prelude to the 2019 elections. Last Tuesday, a former national chairman of the PDP, Ahmadu Ali, warned the party against undermining the zoning arrangement of the party, especially as it affects the post of national chairman. He was unequivocal where the chairman must come from: South-West geopolitical zone.
But, he appeared to be a lone voice at the forum of Northern Caucus of the party held in Abuja. His verdict was that unless the party expressly conceded the seat to the South-West, the party could consider the next general election as contested and lost. Under the zoning arrangement, the chairmanship seat will be filled by the South, while the North produces PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2019 elections. Ali says the party must learn from its immediate past that almost consigned the PDP to the dustbin of history. “It’s either we choose our next national chairman from the South-West or we forget about PDP. We must be ready to ensure that at the convention, the main issue, which is the national chairmanship of the party, is well handled. If we don’t vote the South-West, we can as well forget the PDP,” he said poignantly.
Ali’s warning is an apparent reference to moves by some forces within the party outside the South-West to scuttle the agenda of zoning meant to stave off another round of controversy that could derail PDP’s match towards self-discovery and winning path. Except for Ali, virtually all other stakeholders at the PDP Northern Caucus Consultative Forum spoke with tongues in the cheek over the mutual agreement on the contest for chairmanship. However, the caution by Ali, a retired army colonel and former Minister of Health, to the party, could have be informed by experience and political expediency, given the critical role the South-West has been playing in the country since 1999. It has determined the direction the pendulum swung to at major elections for the hitherto ruling party and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). It was through the massive support of the zone that former President Goodluck Jonathan consolidated in office in 2011 after completing the tenure of his late boss, President Umaru Yar’Adua, a similar role the zone did previously for President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 2003 elections.
Being the beautiful bride, the major interest and bloc in the PDP in the South-West contend that the PDP could not afford underrate the South-West if it hopes to bounce back to power. For the APC, it is watching from the sidelines ongoing intrigues within the PDP over the chairmanship contest, hoping for a slip it could take full advantage of which has probably informed one of the chairmanship aspirants, Chief Olabode George, to sound a note of warning that the PDP must get it right this time, so that it does not fall into the deathtrap of the governing party. He said: “We are at the crossroads and if we take the wrong turn, we may not make it.”
Ali’s views, a sharp contrast to some emerging realities, one of which some elders of the PDP saw as the stiff challenge coming from the South-South for the exalted office. Media guru, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and a former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, from the zone, which had produced national chairmen for the PDP, are interested in the position. Ditto Uche Secondus, who was once the acting national chairman. Of the trio, only Dokpesi has openly shown interest in the race. “It is convenient to say that I’m still consulting. I have not made up my mind on when I’m going to declare (my interest to run). I’m also waiting for the NEC [National Executive Council] of our party to meet and take a final decision on the zoning of the offices. It is only the NEC that will give the clear picture on what will happen and when the race will open. For now, I’m still consulting,” Dokpesi stated.
The intense intrigues trailing the chairmanship race appear exacerbated last week going by the views of the PDP leadership on the zoning matter. The opinion expressed by Senator Makarfi on the zoning arrangements elicited curiosity in within the camps of most of the contestants. He had said: “The Port Harcourt convention decisions remain valid and one of the decisions taken at that convention was zoning. But micro-zoning does not have a binding effect.” This is being interpreted by some interest within the PDP that all the three zones in the South-South could present candidates for the office of national chairman. However, sources indicated that the PDP South-West caucus has since picked up the gauntlet by reaching out to the Northern caucus for its unflinching backing and support for the position. It was learnt that the decision to lobby the North was among the key resolutions at a meeting held in Ibadan recently. A letter to that effect was reportedly delivered to the leaders of the Northern caucus at their consultative forum in Abuja. However, none of the aspirants from the zone appears ready for a consensus option so as to brighten the chance of the zone in case the South-South insisted on fielding a candidate.
Main contenders from South-West PDP
So far, those seeking to lead the party include a former national deputy chairman and member of the Board of Trustee (BOT) of the party, Chief Olabode George; a former Provost, Federal College of Education, (Special) Oyo, Oyo State and former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Professor Taoheed Adedoja; former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel; former PDP gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State during the 2015 elections, Mr Jimi Agbaje; former. Minister of Education, MAMSER secretary and chairman and Nigeria Ambasador to Germany, Professor Tunde Adeniran; former chairman of the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and a member of BOT of the party, Senator Bode Olajumoke; former national secretary of the party, Professor Wale Oladipo; media guru, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; former deputy national chairman and former Acting national chairman of the party, Prince. Uche Secondus. There are speculations that another elder of the party and BoT member, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, might join the fray.
However, Dokpesi, one of the Aspirants has also visited the Hilltop during which IBB was said to have described the forthcoming National Convention of the party as an avenue for party faithful to uphold the visionary ideals of the founding fathers of the party.
It is recalled that the South-West leaders had resolved that in the spirit of justice, equity and fair play, as well as strict adherence and respect to the zoning agreement reached at the Port Harcourt meeting of the party in 2016, their zone should produce the next chairman for the first time since PDP was formed in 1998.The communiqué of their meeting noted that the South-West had consistently demonstrated capacity for swing votes historically from 1999 till date in all general elections.
There is increasing schism in the South-West PDP because of the stance of leaders from the other two zones. Their decision to undermine the mutual agreement on zoning of elective offices led to loss of confidence and trust. Under the zoning arrangement, the post of vice-president is assumed to have gone to the South-East, while that Senate President will be from the South-South. However, a number of names are being touted as potential contenders for the post of PDP national chairman from the zone, which held the position in an acting capacity after the exit of the de facto one that led the party through the 2015 elections.
South-West, the contenders
However, the contestants from the South-West PDP caucus are living in a world of illusion and delusion about the challenges ahead if the PDP must remain relevant in the political arena. Having suffered an asphyxiation following its defeat in 2015, a majority of the leaders maintain the PDP needs a resourceful and principled character as leader who can breathe a new lease of life into it and prepare it for victory in the general election in February 2019.
Olabode George
George, who has been in the party since inception, remains the dominant force in the Lagos PDP. But his most remarkable feat in the political arena was the triumph of the PDP in five of the six states in the South-west during the governorship election in 2003 in his capacity as PDP deputy national chairman. Since then, the party has not been able to replicate such astounding and outstanding feat. On his ambition to lead the party, Chief George lamented that the party was at a moral crossroads and struggling to survive. He said: “We are at a pivotal junction wrestling with what the future holds for us all. Indeed, we are now confronted with a troubled destiny as a party. We are equally confronted with our relevance as opposition party in the great march to deepen the democratic processes of our country.
“The PDP must now re-evaluate itself. We must reassess our values. We must re-appraise our mission. We must look through our party vision and invariably rebuild our party in the crucial journey towards 2019,” he said, arguing that the party needs a chairman that is capable and fit to redirect the PDP to the cardinal principles that underlined its conception and birth in about two decades ago.
George, who has expressed worries about the predicament of the party owing to the protracted has remained consistent in his membership of the party. He has staked his name and resources in the course of the party, especially during all elections. He noted that God is giving the party a second chance after its defeat at the 2015 polls after a 16-year rule, adding that “if you’re suddenly hit by a fast-moving train when you don’t expect it, the shock itself is incalculable. We went into a spin and almost lost confidence in ourselves.” He likened the PDP to a cancer patient that is just coming out of coma. The party, he said, needed experience for the job to weather the battle ahead, which he admitted “would not be easy.”
Gbenga Daniel
He comes into the race with a lot of pedigree and experience spanning decades and vast spheres of human endeavour. A celebrated professional and astute politician, Daniel has carved a niche for himself in both the private and public sectors thus his promise to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the PDP machinery if elected national chairman. Daniel says one of his priorities will be to repackage the party into a formidable and united entity that can win and consolidate victory. “My ultimate goal is to work towards the victory of our party in the 2019 General Election and in all other elections in between. To achieve this, I am prepared to work with all leaders of our party, various interest groups and individuals.” He is promising a PDP that will not only find a new identity, “but would reclaim its lost glory and salvage the ship of the Nigerian state,” he said. Among the founding fathers of the PDP that seem to share the aspiration of the former governor is former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, who asserts that Daniel is capable of reflating the PDP and returning it to its winning ways. A confident IBB stated: “I was elated when I first heard that you were interested in volunteering yourself for this great service to our country. You represent the breath of fresh air that the party deserves at this stage. I know OGD very well and I know his unparalleled capacity for work. I have a strong conviction that with OGD as chairman, the party can be turned around again. I am supporting you because I know you very well. OGD, you’re my chairman in waiting.”
The former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, believes the former governor of Ogun State has the capacity to ‘breathe of fresh air’ in the PDP. IBB made this declaration at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger state when OGD alongside his powerful delegation paid him a visit in furtherance to his nationwide consultation. Speaking during the visit, Daniel said he had come to confer with the former president on his ambition, noting that no serious politician in the country would embark on such an important national task without seeking the wisdom and blessing of the former president.
Daniel has also spoken on the controversial possibility of any aspirant stepping down for any of the other contestants. He said even though he does not consider the contest as a make-or-break affair, such plan was not on the card as he is in the race to win. His words: “All the aspirants for this position are my friends and competent people but I am the bridge builder and the best man for the job. I will not step down for anyone because I did my consultations during our convention in Port Harcourt and I know so many leaders in Yoruba land who support me. People contest for various reasons. Some people contest to enrich their curriculum vitae; some contest to get donations while some run to win. It is not a do-or-die affair. It is an in-house contest and I’m running to win so as to bring my experiences to bear on the party and work on re-positioning the party.”
Professor Tunde Adeniran
A former minister of Education and one-time Nigeria’s envoy, Professor Adeniran is generally regarded as a favourite in the race. He exudes confidence and poise each time he had an opportunity to market himself as far as the contest is concerned. A veteran of many political battles, Adeniran seems to enjoy the backing of powerbrokers, including those with war-chest that matters in every major political contest. He is also being said to be heavily favoured by powerful members of the party in the North who believe that he has an untainted political record that could benefit the party especially in the short run that the party needs to rebuild its house.
The former ambassador also appears to understand the huge task ahead of the party. According to him, “We are not gunning for the office for the fun of it or because we want to be chairman of the largest party, the PDP.” He adds: “We know what Nigeria has been going through. PDP will take over and we will demonstrate what it means to give power to the people.”
Adedoja
Regarded by some party members as a bridge between the North and the South, Professor Adedoja asserts that the PDP needs responsible and responsive leadership that would shape and spur the party to greater heights. His words: “The PDP of today will bring us two things: the PDP of tomorrow and the new platform that will produce the President of Nigeria in 2019. Adedoja, former minister of Sports and Special Duties and ex-provost of the Federal College of Education (Special), said, the party must utilise the opportunity of Nigerians yearning for the return of the PDP. He said: “Sometimes, a party will rule for many years, the people in that country may not even want that party to come back again. Sometimes and depending on the country, they would let an opposition party to rule for another 16 years so that they can compare the two. But Nigerians are now in a hurry for PDP to come back only after two years. There is a reason for it. What Nigerians expect now is to give the PDP another opportunity to come back in 2019 to rule better. If therefore, Nigerians expect PDP to rule and rule better, the party platform in which the President of Nigeria will emerge must therefore be better, the process must be better and will involve a spectrum of PDP members.
Adedoja said based on his pedigree and experience, he was in better stead to lead the PDP now. He stated: “If the December election into all the national leadership positions is democratic and the delegates decide who their officers are, it we will use the process for the elections of candidates for the party. So, when we get right the national convention, then PDP has gotten it right.” He said he symbolised the fresh face” PDP needs, especially now that it was determined to give Nigerians fresh ideas to consolidate on PDP’s 16 years’ achievements. Adedoja, said that as a Nigerian from Oyo State born in Kano State, who had lived and worked in different parties of Nigeria in the course of his studies, carrying out national and international assignments.
The South-East
The challenge from the South-South PDP for the chairmanship seat, no doubt, brings to the fore the crucial role major power blocs like the PDP National Assembly caucus, governors elected on the platform of the party in the quest of the South-west PDP to break the jinx of not producing PDP national chairman since 1999. In the buildup to the convention, both the South-South and the South-West PDP will be counting on the support of the South-East, which has endorsed the party’s zoning arrangement, caucus to clinch victory. The decision was taken at the PDP South-East Zonal Executive Committee meeting in Enugu. In a communique after the meeting signed by the vice-chairman of the PDP, South-East, Chief Austin Umahi, the South-East PDP “reaffirmed the party’s earlier agreement on the zoning of party positions allotted to the South-East in respect of the forthcoming elective national convention.” But the support of the South-East caucus is likely to be predicated on assumption that such mutuality would be extend to them based on political permutations of the PDP conceding the ticket of vice-president to the zone.
Fayose’s presidential bid
The decision of the enigmatic governor of Ekiti State to make good his presidential bid is seen as a new dimension in the quest of the South-West to produce PDP national chairman. He has, for the umpteenth time, however, justified his action on his rights under the 1999 Constitution; that in spite of the decision of his party to zone the presidential ticket to the North, he was only exercising his rights to join the presidential race. Incidentally, one of the leading contenders for PDP chair, Adeniran, hails from Ekiti State and the belief that the action of the governor has a serious consequence for his ambition. This is underlined by the reaction of the PDP that the governor was on his own. According to PDP national publicity secretary of the party, Dayo Adeyeye, “The highest organ of the party, which is the national convention, zoned the presidential ticket of the PDP to the North. That has not changed. The same national convention zoned the position of the national chairman to the South. The convention has yet to change any of these two. That (national convention) is the supreme organ of the party. Those decisions are binding on all members of the party. Nobody can alter these decisions. If someone in such an office is breaking the decisions of the party, what do you expect from the rank and file,” he queried. The loyalists and admirers of the governor say he is only exercising his fundamental right as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution for seeking the presidential ticket of the PDP.
IBB, Abdusalami as beautiful bride
Somehow, the Hilltop residence of former Military President, General Babangida, (IBB), in Minna, Niger State has suddenly become regular port of “call” by the aspirants. He has become a beautiful bride for the aspirants for consultation and his endorsement for their ambition. Chief Daniel and Professor Adedoja have made such visits, just as Dokpesi paid a similar visit to another former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. He has also visited IBB, who reportedly described the forthcoming PDP national convention as an avenue for party faithful to uphold the visionary ideals of the founding fathers of the PDP. Babangida also reportedly encouraged Dokpesi to carry on with his aspiration by wishing him well in the race.
Another dimension underlining the political intrigues in the campaign by the aspirants is the claims and counter-claims that IBB, along with other power brokers, had gone beyond mere rhetoric in their support for a particular aspirant. For instance, those kingmakers were said to be availing Professor Adeniran with the necessary war chest to prosecute his campaign. Professor Adeniran was the secretary and later the chairman of the defunct mass Mobilisation for Social and Economic and Social Justice (MAMSER) under IBB, as well as the Education Minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo
However, the director-general of the Professor Tunde Adeniran Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, described the insinuation as a campaign of calumny against his principal, threatening to unmask those behind the smear campaign. “Those behind the campaign of calumny should watch it. They started by saying it was Senator Buruji Kashamu that was financing our candidate; later, they mentioned former President Obasanjo and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and later, General Ibrahim Babangida. We all know Professor Tunde Adeniran as a man of unquestionable character and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party since inception and had served both the party and the nation meritoriously at various capacities
“Come to think of it, is Atiku a member of PDP? We are warning them; they must play the match according to the rules of the game. They should know that nobody has the monopoly of rascality and no one has the monopoly of immunity. Let us be descent as we approach the National Convention; we can also do it the way they are doing things now. But, we should be seeing to be protecting and projecting the image of the party and not the way they are behaving now.”
Thus the race for who will lead the PDP to the next electoral battle has begun in earnest. Interestingly, its outcome successful or otherwise will also determine the future of the party which once prided itself as the largest political ensemble in Africa.
Also Read:
PDP chairmanship and my relationship with Atiku, IBB, others —Professor Tunde Adeniran
PDP national convention, test case for removal of impunity, imposition of candidates ―Adedoja
We must end North’s born-to-rule mentality now, otherwise,… —Nyiam
and then