Where the PDP got it wrong in Yobe
The traditional stronghold of the party, like Potiskum and Fika fell along the way. These local governments and certain towns or villages include those which have never been thought would be “captured” by any other party because since 1999, they have been PDP’s strong hold and no-go areas for other parties. What went wrong and […]
The traditional stronghold of the party, like Potiskum and Fika fell along the way. These local governments and certain towns or villages include those which have never been thought would be “captured” by any other party because since 1999, they have been PDP’s strong hold and no-go areas for other parties. What went wrong and what didn’t click?
The problems of the Party, which hitherto was on cruise control to victory, started with the influx of people frustrated out of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). These were people who could not be accommodated by the ANPP because of their desperado tactics to grab power. They came into the PDP with an attitude and agenda. They knew what they wanted but did not know how to go about it.
The PDP, known for its discipline under the leadership of its mentor, Adamu Maina Waziri, which gave rise to its growth and cohesion, became an undisciplined and unorganized crowd in which opportunists and fifth columnists had a field day.
The primary election that produced the flag bearer was tainted by violence as three delegates, including a ward party chairman, all loyal to Waziri, were killed and about 20 others seriously injured while his (Waziri’s) campaign vehicles were vandalized and burnt. Scores of delegates with the intention to vote for him were harassed, intimidated and cowed because of threats to them, their families and, or, properties.
That notwithstanding, Adamu Waziri accepted the results with equanimity and said being a party man, he would work for the success of his party. The initiative has then been thrown to the path of the victor with the acceptance of the result by the main contender who came second. Many were those who expected Albishir to seize this opportunity with both hands and initiate moves to reconcile members and calm frayed nerves.
The candidate and his hangers-on rather started dispensing offices and even appointing “official” contractors with specific juicy contracts like Legionnaires sharing the booty of a hard won battle, all without the input of Waziri who came second in the primaries and nurtured the party to the enviable level which made people want to represent it. They never shied away from telling people, even at campaign rallies that they have finished with Adamu and therefore are forging ahead as he has nothing to contribute to the party.
Even though Waziri later on took Albishir to court over certificate forgery, his people felt they should not vote for Albishir, who the people of Yobe nicknamed Rainbow and Ostrich. Waziri did his best to convince all and sundry to vote for the party and let by-gone be by-gone.
To them, why should they vote for those who do not recognize or appreciate the tremendous contributions of their mentor to the establishment, growth and maintenance of the party; why should they vote for those who have made them strangers in their own home?
So it was that on the 9th of April, by the time the “dust” settled, the ruling ANPP has added a Senatorial seat and two of House of Reps. The only constituency that remained in the hands of the PDP is that of Potiskum/Nangere Federal Constituency, Adamu Maina Waziri’s constituency. Unfortunately, Senator Usman Albishir, the PDP gubernatorial candidate could not deliver his.
This problem encountered by the PDP in Yobe is reflected in other states like Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Ogun among others. The party headquarter did not help matters. The acting national chairman, perhaps out of inexperience, lack of leadership qualities, personal interest or all of the above, failed to stand on the path of truth and fairness. This, among other factors, has greatly contributed in the PDP’s electoral loses.
For the PDP to reverse its electoral misfortunes in Yobe for the gubernatorial election more especially, Adamu and his people have to be appeased, given relevance and prominent roles to play. This is the only way out for the party because the National Assembly elections, if anything, have proven that the toga of candidacy is not an indication of popularity and therefore not a license for electoral victory. And, as we know, it is not yet late.
Gimba wrote from 27A, Shagari Lowcost, Potiskum, Yobe State. [email protected]