At every point of Nigeria’s political evolution, leaders and politicians are not short of increasing our political lexicon one way or the other.
Thus, when former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu warned the opposition Peoples Democratic Party,PDP,not to allow ‘nomadic’ politicians return to the fledgling PDP, he virtually increase the nations political lexicon.
Since nomads are wanderers tending their livestock with no border,he was alluding to group o political ‘prostitutes’ in the party who had over the years cultivated the habit of changing party affiliation like mothers change their babies napkins.
Ironically, it was Aliyus name sake and self styled military General, Ibrahim Babangida who also coined the word annulment to describe his cancelation of Nigeria’s freest presidential election in June 12, 1993 won by business mogul, Moshood Abiola.
But unlike Babangida’s negative connotation given to Nigeria’s political evolution, Aliyus categorisation of politicians who change parties like baby napkin, is basically a move to instill discipline into the party and by extension the nations political behaviour.
Ethical conduct in Nigeria’s politics has since nose dived with every successive republics destroying the essence of ideology in parry politics and membership.
This attitude has become prevalent as the pursuant of filthy lucre and self interest has made practise of politics lost its soul and essence.
Hence, when seven PDP governors gathered in Zamfara State last Saturday, August 23, it was a desperate attempt to resuscitate what is left of the party after its protracted illness which started as a run -off to the 2023 presidential election.
Today, the crisis has become a cancerous sore that has depleted its governors to seven from the eleven it was in 2023. Not only this,it has lost several members in the state and national assembly thereby losing its potentials as a party.
Though, Chairman of the PDP governors forum Bauchis Bala Mohammed said the venue was chosen not only to move the party forward from its terminal ailment, but to enable the host Governor ,Dauda Lawal opportunity to showcase his achievements in different sectors of the state.
However, it is apparent that more than sight seeing, the PDP governors are determined to save what is left of the party after the exodus of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,two state governors..Delta and Edo and several parry faithfuls who followed the legislators in both chambers of the National Assembly to save their own neck and come out of frustration with the crisis which has left the leading opposition parry comatose.
Zamfara’s meeting and declaration was a follow- up to NEC meeting in Ibadan penultimate week and a reassurance that November 15 national convention- considered by many as last antidote to save what is left of the party remains sacrosanct.
It is thus feasible that should the November convention hold and officers put in place, it would have put at bay other contending forces like FCT Minister Nyesome Wike who has been a bone in the throat of the party and a factor so to say in its reconciliatory move.
PDP governors move may also be a strong move to whittle down the influence of Atiku who is the arrowhead of the ‘nomadic’ politicians whose exist from the party triggered the exodus to African Democratic Congress, ADC.
But then the result of the bye- election in 17 federal constituencies in 12 states of the country which saw the PDP retaining only one federal constituency in Ibadan,Oyo State capital may also be what is needed to kick- start the revival of ‘dying horse’ the party has become and heed Aliyu’s charge to it not to allow the ‘nomadic’ politicians most of who are in the ADC from trying to return to PDP.
Though no statement was issued in this regard after the Zamfara meeting,it is obvious that if the National convention holds in November,it would have put in place structures that would witness the ascendancy of loyal parry faithfuls into the new party leadership.
As at the last count, the ADC was not able to secure any of the 17 seats in the bye- election.
Worst still, the ruling APC which was the target of ADCs gang up had 13 of the 17 seats while the Anambra based APGA had two, Rabiu Kwakwansos NNPP had 1 while Peter Obis Labour Party had none.
This is in spite of Obis open campaign against his party for the ADC. Does his failure portend the rejection of his romance of the PDP dominated ADC?
With the inability to secure any seat, could the ADC still possess the moral conviction and strength to even dislodge the PDP to second most popular party in the country?
Since morning determines the day, does the failure of the ADC in the baptism of fire that bye election portend not a signal that the party may not fly.
Does it mean that the influence of the party is not beyond the social media platforms where most of its leaders are more visible.
But then can we say that within what is left of the PDP, there are still politicians and leaders who could still support the accommodation of the ‘nomadic politicians’ who may return to the party early enough before the nomination closes for its national and state congress.
With the strategic meetings Bala Mohammed of Bauchi has been holding with Obi, could the former convince his remaining governors to use the later as presidential candidate whose chance of picking the ADC ticket is very slim.
Since the relationship between Mohammed and Atiku remains disy ,it is possible that Mohammed may still continue with the deliverate moves and campaign to get Obi to dump the ADC and return to the PDP which he dumped in 2023.
The feasibility of this remains a conjecture as the North west may be averse to Obis presidency.
Also of note is Obi’s futile effort to get his LP supporters to vote for the ADC during the last bye- election. This is a signal that not all of them will follow him to either PDP or ADC.
As things stand today,he remains in a dilemma as his popularity and acceptance has dwindled compared to the mass appeal he had in 2023 and so is the LP which is already divided into three factions.
Though the internal division may be a potent reason for his defection to either of ADC or a return to his PDP vomit, this may not fetch him much since politics is a game of numbers.
Today,the silence of both Atiku and Nasir El Rufai, the arrow heads of ADC after their showing at the bye- election is a sign that they have returned to the drawing board to re-strategise about the best move to salvage what is left of the party.
But would this be enough for them to convince their followers of the potency of ADC in its efforts towards winning election in 2027 since political decision is all about interest.
Both leaders and Obi are in a dilemma of sort as the APC will not go to bed as the election approaches.
They will likely continue to use their performance in the bye-election to attract more members from the two leading opposition parties.
Interesting times lie ahead since twenty- four hours as they say is too long in politics.
Could the PDP still sway the populace to reject the ruling APC at the poll in 2027.
Time will Tell.
