PDP Convention: Governors hold the aces

Few hours before the PDP’s convention, it was crystal clear to many political observers that the "election" was going to be between Professor Tunde Adeniran who was alleged to be supported by former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Prince Uche Secondus who was alleged to be backed […]

Few hours before the PDP’s convention, it was crystal clear to many political observers that the "election" was going to be between Professor Tunde Adeniran who was alleged to be supported by former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Prince Uche Secondus who was alleged to be backed by Governors Wike , Fayose and others.

With Prince Uche Secondus’s victory, it seems like "the coast is now clear" for the governors who perfected the plans. Moreover, the presidential ticket for Senator Ahmad Muhammad Makarfi "is in the offing" barring last minute changes. It is equally clear to some of us that the vice presidential ticket of the PDP will likely go to south- west rather than south east looking at the brain behind the game plan.

Governors will continue to be very powerful and relevant as far as conventions, primary elections etc., are concerned as long as party activities are being financed by them. Our political parties "finance model" needed much to be desired. In Nigeria, political parties are single handedly being financed by the governors from the state resources. This must be changed. He who pays the piper dictates the tune!

In my view, if we must get it right, we must not leave political party finance to state governors. All stakeholders should or must be involved in party finance or forget about it. We must device a means where all and sundry will contribute to its finance through regular payment of membership dues. Moreover, political parties in the Western World generate a lot of revenue through businesses. In our own case, we rely on governments resources.

Will the just concluded PDP’s National Convention makes it stronger or weaker ? Only time shall tell! 

Nurudeen Dauda, [email protected]