WITH a resolve after
recent top-level meetings to stay together, the potency of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, surviving in the harsh political and economic
climate as an opposition party would be seriously determined by the
sagacity of the men and women who will lead its reinvention.
WITH an electoral defeat that bruised and deflated the ego of
virtually every member of the self acclaimed largest party in Africa,
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the prospects of the party were hazy
in the eyes of Senator Olurunnimbe Mamora, the deputy-director general
of the All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential Campaign
Organisation. One caution he gave to the emerging opposition political
party was to imbibe the principle of constructive criticism.
Indeed, the PDP had since its formation in 1998, never lacked men
whose political clout ensured it emerged relatively strong from internal
crises, all mostly drawn together by the party's hold on the
presidency. However, with the loss of the presidency that attraction is
now going to be put to serious test.
It is of note that many chieftains, who before the polls were assumed
to be of remarkable electoral value, surprisingly failed to deliver
their polling units at the polls.
Special committees
Many of the mighty names bandied about in the media at the end of the
day failed to deliver even their polling units to their party.
Having emerged from the defeat with a bruised ego, it was not a
surprise that the party recently planned to constitute a committee for
re-packaging.
With the primary aim of halting it's dwindling fortunes, the party
resolved to set up special committees with the task of rebuilding.
However the committee decides to carry on its agenda, it will have to
take into consideration the inclination of some prominent chieftains of
the party upon whom the fortunes of the party could be rebuilt the PDP.
Among them are:
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
It is natural that all eyes would be focused on the President in the
quest to reposition the party, given that he may be the party's national
leader even as a former President.
Though he is not considered as politically savvy in many quarters, it
is expected that he would still command some influence that the party
would find useful.
How Jonathan's imprints would add up to the party's fortunes may be
constrained by his perception of not having a leading voice in party
affairs.
Nyesom Wike
The exit of Rivers State governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi from the PDP,
inevitably put the leadership of the party in Rivers State on Wike.
So it was not surprising that Wike, who is now the governor-elect of
Rivers State, was the arrow ahead of the PDP during the political crisis
that had engulfed the state.
Some in the party would want to call upon Wike to use his pugnacious
instincts in reinventing the party at the national level. However, such
hopes would be seriously limited on the basis of the fact that the
federal cover that was brusquely used by Wike in Rivers State would be
missing after the exit of the Jonathan administration at the end of next
month.
Nevertheless, Wike would be a rallying point in propelling the party
in the South-South and notably in Edo State where he has a close
affinity to the PDP state chapter through his friend, Chief Dan Orbih.
Godswill Akpabio
Under the present circumstances, the outgoing governor of Akwa Ibom
State would be the cynosure of eyes given his leading role in the party
as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. Though his stature as a
powerful PDP leader, may have wanned following his party's woeful
electoral performance, his galvanizing ability would be brought to bear.
However, with his imminent exit from the Government House and his
entry into the Senate, his stature and swagger would be diminished by
the decrease in his ability to expend patronage.
Despite the fact that he would be a rookie in the Senate, Akpabio's
presence and deft political moves would perhaps be advantageous to the
PDP caucus in the 8th Senate.
Chief Tony Anenih
In this troubling time in the life of the PDP, Anenih's expertise in
the art of politicking, is something that would have been called up. But
Anenih may have reached his limit not only in his political mileage,
but also would be seriously constrained by age.
Anenih, who would be 82 in August is however already being seen as an
old warhorse. Even more, the Uromi born tactician's political expertise
has only been known to shine under the klieg of the ruling party. His
political endurance in the opposition has not been tested. So it would
be doubtful if the party decides to rest its fortunes on the aging
politician.
Musiliu Obanikoro
Even with the political battles he had fought among PDP chieftains in
his home state of Lagos, Obanikoro remains one of the few leading
figures in the South-west.
With a popularity among the party faithful in the state that is only
disputed by his traditional antagonists, the former ambassador to Ghana
boasts of the knack required to make a difference in the party.
Barring the re-emergence of perennial rivalry among party stalwarts
in Lagos, Obanikoro's personal inputs may be valuable to the party as it
seeks to rediscover itself in the country.
Bode George
The former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP is no doubt, an asset to the PDP.
In spite of a political stature that had prominently been shaped by
controversies, he commands a sizable number of followership in the
Southwest.
Unfortunately the Lagos Boy as George is also known as, may not be
available to rebuild the party having vowed to go on exile should Major
General Muhammadu Buhari, retd, win the presidential poll.
Col. Ahmadu Ali
He was among those relied upon for the President's re-election, given his pedigree as a former National Chairman.
In his capacity as the Director General of the PDP campaign
organisation, Ali was in his typical elements of jabbing those he felt
were antagonistic to the party.
As a member of the old guard in the PDP, Ali's wisdom would be sought in rebuilding the party.
Being successful at that may not come easy for him especially in his
home state of Kogi where the APC had made an overwhelming inroad.
His perceived reputation of lacking in capacity and mannerism needed to carry everyone along may be a liability this time.
Buruji Kashamu
Not even the international pressure for his extradition to the US for
alleged drug-related offenses, would deter the PDP from relying on
Kashamu for its reinvention especially in the southwest.
After all, it was under the same situation that Kashamu emerged from
just an associate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to a notable
leader of the party in the zone at a time when the party had mixed
fortunes.
Whether he delivered in his position as the Chairman Mobilization
Committee of the Southwest PDP, should not be a matter of strenuous
debate considering the performance of his party in the last election.
However, the growing pressure for his extradition could become very
distractive for Kashamu, who was recently elected to represent Ogun East
in the Senate.
Ayodele Fayose
Despite being regarded as politically irritant, Fayose is so much valued in the PDP.
The fact that his actions resulted in collateral damages for the
party does not matter since he is regarded as one of the few foot
soldiers left in the PDP.
Already, he has vowed to be the last man standing as the party commences its role as the major opposition party.
While declaring his commitment to the party's redemption, Fayose vowed not to dump the PDP under any condition.
Though his mobilization capacity is not in doubt, his Knack for always courting controversies remain a source of concern.
David Mark
The outgoing Senate President is one of the few PDP chieftains whose loyalty had never been a subject of controversy.
Serving as the Senate President longer than anyone else before him,
his durability is a testimony of his mastery of political games.
Speculations that he would defect to the APC were dismissed by Mark, who vowed to remain and rebuild the PDP.
Unlike some who may be tackled by some personal and public
shortcomings, Mark is considered one of the few beacons upon which the
future of the lies upon.
Adamu Mu'azu
Being the national chairman of the party, the buck stops on Muazu's
table. Agitation for his removal being the chairman who changed the game
of the party has for now been stifled following a meeting with
governors-elect and party leaders from across the country.
But holding the unenviable record of the chairman, who led the party
to defeat, raises so much doubt about how well he can lead the party out
of the political wilderness.
Also likely to undermine Muazu's ability are allegations of
corruption and anti-party activities broadly levelled against the
leadership of the party.
Even as it is not contestable that his position might be one of the
casualties of the repositioning, the former Bauchi State governor would
be a handy reference point for the task ahead.
Sule Lamido
Being one of the original nine persons that formed the party, the
outgoing governor of Jigawa State resisted the temptation to exit the
party at the height of the dispute between some governors and the
immediate past national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. He
had asserted that he would not leave the house he built for someone
else.
As the last man standing among the founders of the party, Lamido's
reputation of political sagacism and tact would be of inestimable value
to the PDP.
He is also expected to champion civility, peace, dialogue and constructive engagement that are key to intra-party relations.
However, the grace and gait with which he walked in the party was
severely damaged by his failure to deliver the party in his state and
win any measurable office for the party during the last general
elections.
Notwithstanding what people think, Lamido comes across as someone who
could be relied upon in his party's quest for re-engineering.
With a detribalised personality, robust political contacts that had
endured for decades, fearless stance on national issues, and rich
experience, neglecting Lamido would be inimical to the PDP.
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