PDP in 2014: Big gains and bad losses

The resignation of Tukur on January 15, 2014 was a problem carried over from the first days Tukur became national chairman in 2012 mainly carved by perceptions of arrogance and a determination to whittle down the influence of the governors.

In the wake of the problems in the party Governors Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Ahmed Abdulfatah (Kwara), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) and former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC in November 2013.

Tukur’s resignation

Tukur’s resignation at the 63rd National Executive Committee, NEC meeting of the party opened yet another phase as the former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, also from Tukur’s North-East, took over on January 20, 2014.

Knowing full well that the position of a national chairman was a tight rope to walk judging from what happened to some of his predecessors, it dawned on Mu’azu that he must play the role of a bridge builder and healer of festering wounds.

Mu’azu also made no pretences on his desire to grow the membership base of the party with plans to admit all estranged members especially with the APC lurking in the corner ahead of the 2015 polls.

Gains

While the party lost members in 2013, it, however, gained a sizeable number from the APC in 2014. Among those who crossed over to the APC were some former governors including Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto; Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State. Also, erstwhile military governor of Lagos and Borno, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd); former Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State returned to the PDP.

Udenwa returned to the PDP alongside former Senator Ifeanyi Ararume; Senator Christy Anyanwu and among the most notable defections was that of the former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the 2011 Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu is now the governorship candidate of the party in Adamawa State.

The party also gained from the defection of Senator Ehigie Uzamere who refused to register with the APC and the mass defection of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former national vice-chairman of the defunct ACN and his associates in Edo State.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State who left the PDP for Labour Party (LP) returned alongside former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and his supporters.

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi after completing his term, also dumped his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA for the PDP.

Losses

 The party nevertheless lost some prominent officials, the most painful being Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives whose exit for the first time opened the way for the opposition to have leadership of one of the two chambers of the National Assembly since the advent of democratic rule in 1999.

As a spinoff from the party primaries, the party also lost its second national chairman Senator Barnabas Gemade; former minister of state, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom; former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao- Akala, Prince Tonye Princewill to opposition parties.

Recovering Ekiti

Also in 2014, the party won the Ekiti State governorship election at the expense of the APC through its candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

However, the PDP was not lucky in Osun where its standard bearer, Senator Iyiola Omisore could not beat the incumbent and APC candidate, Rauf Aregbesola.

After a fierce battle with the APC for the Niger East Senatorial by- election following the death of a PDP senator, Dahiru Awaisu Kuta on June 12, 2014, the PDP retained the zone through Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu.

Controversial primaries

Controversies arising from the primaries at all levels remained thorny issues for the PDP. Aspirants who were schemed out protested from almost all the states of the federation with letters to the national secretariat.

Some of the aggrieved aspirants have defected to other parties to pursue their aspiration.

Unlike in the past where aspirants contested for the party’s presidential ticket with the incumbent helmsman, President Jonathan was given the right of first refusal after many of the party organs adopted him as the sole candidate of the party for the presidential election.

First refusal

The party’s effort to drum the claim of the right of first refusal as the practise in advanced democracies was reversed after the claim was debunked by this newspaper and Dr. Umar Ardo, a party chieftain from Adamawa State who took the party to court on the issue.

Two presidential aspirants that had shown interest but were fenced out, Dr Abdul Jelil Tafawa Balewa and wife of late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, Prof. Akasoba Duke- Abiola were eventually given the opportunity, but no one was lost on the intents and desires of the party as concerning Jonathan who was ratified as the candidate at the special national convention.

The party also at that convention ratified the appointment of Mu‘azu as national chairman whose job before then had been threatened by a move to return Tukur as national chairman. For his alleged role in that affair, Tukur was slapped with a one month suspension in November.

SOURCE: VANGUARD