RETURN OF PDP

Between 1999 to 2015, the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), was the dominant party in Nigeria. It won all the presidential elections and most states and national assembly elections up to 2015. These were in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. The party in it glory days was the party to beat, even its members boasted at a time that the party will rule Nigeria for 50 years before other political parties will be given a chance to rule. However, it is pertinent to note that several contradictions characterized its operations. So the party became engrossed in intra party crisis. This led to frequent change of the party's leadership through presidential manipulation, mass defection, lack of internal party democracy, especially in its candidate selection processes, failure to tackle corruption, insecurity, poverty, failure to obey the internal zoning arrangement, abuse of incumbency among others.

Consequently, the party's unity was eroded as members were entangled in disagreement and legal tussles. PDP could not surmount the inherent contradictions and eventually lost the 2015 presidential elections. Even after the defeat, the party remained largely factionalized, with two national chairmen until the matter was resolved at the Supreme Court some two years ago.

By then the party was well bruised and was not in the position to face any election,talk less of winning such an election since it was practically broke.  Even those that tried to fund some of its activities did so with much care knowing that the ruling APC government may come after them as it hunt for corrupt politicians. So it was with such difficulty that Chief Uche Secondus and other faithful party member took the task of rebuilding the once largest party in Africa and going by the result of the just concluded general election, it is crystal clear that Secondus and his national executive members have done a good job as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is bouncing back and very strong too. The performance of the party in this election has given liberal Nigerians the hope that our beloved country will never end up as a one-party state as posited and feared by some.

Indeed, under the leadership of Chief Uche Secondus, PDP has done creditably well. The amiable, easy going and soft spoken Secondus proved since he came on board that he is truly a team player who carried all along. He has been equally transparent in his dealings and has ensured that the interests of all the geopolitical zones in the country are well taken care of by the party. Secondus needs to be encouraged.

Recovering states like Oyo, Benue, Imo, Sokoto and Bauchi among others speak volume of the strength displayed by the party and its chieftains even as it reassured many of the party's faithful of high hopes of getting more states especially like Osun and Zamfara among others. The fierce battle for Kano was unprecedented.

Though like the governing party, the PDP lost some key individual positions in the election like the Senate Presidency, which Abubakar Bukola Saraki lost in Kwara Central and ultimately lost the slot which he could have pulled the same strings like he did in 2015 to grab if he had won. However, this did not reduce the emerging power of the party as it gave a good account of itself in the election.

Should the PDP consolidate on this result to build a stronger party surely the 2023 election could produce a shocking if not sweeping result. All the party need do now is to close ranks, give the governors more leverage to push the agenda of the party and ensure that the governors are working in synergy with the national lawmakers representing the party.

The factors that attracted the result in this election must be supported, encouraged or enhanced for better result in the next election.

One big factor that boosted the performance of the PDP in this election is the calibre and quality of candidates it put forward. For instance Alhaji Abubakar Atiku as presidential flagbearer did give the party huge credibility despite the mudslinging from the other parties which is normal in politics.

The party should ensure that it gets credible candidates whose images and reputations bear the mark of integrity and patriotism for future elections. By this surely, the party can only wax stronger. Vice-Presidential candidate of the party in the just concluded election, Peter Obi is another classical example of a credible candidate.

The return of the likes of Abubakar Atiku, Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal and Rabiu Kwankwaso among others to PDP helped greatly to boost the support the party got in the election. They all pulled their weights. With these men still within and around the party in 2023, the party can only get better. However, they should create rooms for younger politicians who they will groom and direct to takeover in the nearest future. They must still be involved but the likes of Atiku should play more of advisory role, be the godfather or the hand behind the man, and not the boss again.

The party should set the pace by seeking for youthful leaders to takeover it's affair systematically. This does not suggest that the oldies would retire or be kicked out but, it will attract greater and larger membership tied around youths just as it would create trust among the party's supporters nationwide.

Imagine presenting the likes of Kingsley Moghalu, Fela Durotoye or Omoyele Sowore among others as candidates in respective positions like governors, senators or honourables in an election....This will spring up huge support for the party. It is time, the party looked at encouraging youths to take up key positions.

 Considering the fact that President Buhari signed the Not Too Young To Run bill then,Nothing stops the PDP from producing the youngest governor or youngest senator and so on. It will certainly give the party a youthful look or face.