By Abubakar Idris
Democracy is built on a strength of a performing government in power and a
strong opposition. The opposition stands as the alternative in case the
ruling party fails to meet the yearnings and expectations of the
electorates, especially when it fails to deliver on the promises it made
during election campaigns.
PDP Chairman aspirants
Democracy is built on a strength of a performing government in power and a
strong opposition. The opposition stands as the alternative in case the
ruling party fails to meet the yearnings and expectations of the
electorates, especially when it fails to deliver on the promises it made
during election campaigns.
In Nigeria, since the return of democracy in 1999, the self-styled largest
party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP reigned supreme at the
centre and in most states in the country. There was no strong opposition
until 2014 with the formation of the All Progressives Congress – an
amalgamation of small political parties.
The APC put the PDP on its toes. It offered a virile opposition to the
PDP. With the almost never-ending press statements of its then Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, every policies of the government was
scrutinised and criticised.
The APC galvanised the civil society, academicians, professional bodies,
trade and students’ unions and the citizenry to kick against a series of
government’s actions and policies that it considered unfavourable, inhuman
and anti-people.
The PDP became jittery, made so many policy somersaults and in most cases,
was forced to issue rejoinders and recants.
It was little surprise that in less than one year, the party unseated the
PDP as the ruling party and took domination of most states in the country.
However, since PDP lost out in 2015, it has failed to perform the role of
the opposition effectively. It became embroiled in controversies and
leadership tussle that almost destroyed the party that has produced three
democratically elected presidents in Nigeria, more than two-third of
federal lawmakers and governors in the country for 16 years.
It was as if the party has lost its soul until the Supreme Court came to
its rescue.
As the party makes preparation for its national convention to elect its
leaders, especially the national chairman, Nigerians await with keen
interest and pray the party gets it right so that President Muhammadu
Buhari-led APC government can come under searchlight and be made to
perform better.
Not less than eight leading chieftains of the party are gunning for the
apex position. Expectedly, the messages across these contenders seem
similar- to provide viable opposition capable of unseating the APC in
2019. However, the intention and capacity of these individuals are not the
same.
Who are these men and what are their credentials, antecedents and ability
to turn the PDP into a viable alternative party.
Olujimi Agbaje:
Agbaje, a former governorship candidate of the party in 2015 represents a
breath of fresh air in terms of age and branding for the party. If party
politics is all about branding and perception, Agbaje stands tall among
other aspirants but the obvious is that he lacks the clout, connection and
the experience to lead a party like the PDP.
Maybe, he will succeed in leading one of the new parties, but certainly
not a party that has produced presidents, senate presidents, governors and
have in its ranks former Head of states and elder statesmen. What will
Agbaje possibly discuss with former military leader, Ibrahim Babangida and
other founding members of the party?
PDP is older than Agbaje in politics. PDP was formed in 1998 but Agbaje
emerged in Nigeria’ political calculation sometime in 2003. Agbaje is for
the future.
Chief Rasheed Ladoja:
Ladoja is a political guru but he just returned to the PDP months ago. His
entrance to the race is good to justify the all-inclusiveness policy of
the party but Ladoja is not the man to lead the party at this time. The
former governor of Oyo state was received with funfair when he dumped the
Accord Party for the PDP, but he does not possess the network to win the
chairmanship position yet having been away from the party for years.
Prof Taoheed Adedoja:
The PDP possesses good candidates and Prof. Adedoja is one of them. The
former minister of Sports is a dedicated party man but he lacks the
ability to be a great mobiliser. PDP needs a mobiliser at this time. The
party needs a rallying point and Adedoja can’t provide that.
Uche Secondus:
Secondus has led the party in acting capacity in the past, immediately
after the ouster of Adamu Mu’azu, so, he is not new to the position. But,
it was his sit-tight in acting capacity that was exploited by Barrister
Ahmad Gulak which paved the way for Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff that threw
the party into a needless and damaging 13-month internal crisis. If he had
handled the party well, hold convention and handed over rightly, PDP will
not be in this mess. Secondus is also seen as the ‘boy’ to one of the
serving governors in the South-South, this is not good for a man that
wants to lead a party.
Raymond Dokpesi:
If anyone has suffered for the party in the hands of the ruling party, the
Ezomo of Weppa Wanno of Edo State is one of them. He has been attacked and
demonized by the Buhari-led government. But party leadership is not about
compensation. Either real or politically-motivated, the public perception
about Dokpesi will do PDP no good. Although, he has what it takes to lead
the party but PDP cannot afford to take this gamble for now.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel:
OGD, a successful engineer and two-term governor of Ogun state would have
easily gotten the job, if not for the many questions hanging around him
during his reign. Otunba made many enemies, even within his party during
his reign. This led him to dump the party and work against its success in
2011 at the state level. If Otunba emerges as the chairman, many within
the southwest will leave the party and those hoping to return will rather
stay back. PDP needs to extend its umbrella, not close it against its
members.
Olabode George:
Chief George possess the experience needed to run PDP and he is well
connected to the who is who not just in the party but in the country. The
former PDP Deputy National Chairman is one of the candidates to beat.
However, the emergence of George will defeat the call for new order in PDP
as George represents the past that not just party faithfuls but Nigerians
will want to do without. George should provide leadership from behind the
scene, he should not be the man at the centre.
Prof. Tunde Adeniran:
A Professor of Political Science and former Minister of Education,
Adeniran has remained committed to the PDP since its formation in 1998 and
has worked in so many committees within the party.
Adeniran is well-connected to all the power blocks in the party and boasts
a good knowledge of the workings of the party and its core vision, having
been one of the founding fathers. His major selling point is that with all
his years in both public and private sector services, there is no single
allegation against the Ekiti-state born politician. Adeniran will be
respected by the international community and will be safe from
politically-motivated allegation and harassment from the party in power.
He possesses the moral standing to question the Buhari-led government. He
can relate with the founding fathers of the party, reconcile aggrieved
members, woo defectors, sanction erring members and be appealing to the
younger generation.
Adeniran is the man that can stabilise the PDP as opposition and project
it for the future for fresh brains to take over.
As a neutral and lover of democracy, it will be interesting for the PDP to
get it right at the convention.
If anything, the party must ensure that the process to elect the leaders
of the party is transparent and credible to all and it produces the best
candidate. Otherwise, it will be to the advantage of the APC and to the
disadvantage of Nigerians, who would have been denied credible alternative
as the country approaches 2019 elections.