In just about eleven months into a new dawn in Nigeria’s political regime, it is discovered that more and more new interests groups and individuals now prefer to join the opposition, People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) than any other party.
A source for the party executive in Lagos revealed that the party records no fewer than a 27 per cent increase in new registration of members than it recorded in the last 10 years. This figure does not include those who are defecting from other parties to the PDP.Interestingly
also, technocrats and other businessmen who have succeeded in their various
endeavours within and outside the country, and feel it’s time they join hands
to fix the ills of their home country also prefer to launch their campaign with
the PDP.
InfoOnlineNews talked to a few key members of the party and it was revealed why most
people now prefer to identify with the PDP.
One
of the key factors working for the PDP is the party manifesto. The party has
been structured to recognize meritocracy above any other factor. Whenever the
party is in government, either at the national or state level, its key
ingredients to effective delivery is in the recruitment of technocrats and
brilliant minds who are fit for the required job. For instance, the kitchen
cabinet of every PDP government has always proven to be very brilliant at both
local and international levels. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, during his
time, recruited the likes of Oby Ezekwesili, Dora Akunyili, Prof.
Okonjo-Iweala, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and a host of other brilliant men and women.
This development was welcomed by the party beyond membership compensations. The
round pegs were fit into round holes.
The
Jonathan administration also followed suit and recruited the likes of Akinwunmi
Adesina, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Okonjo-Iweala, and even looked beyond political
interest to appoint a Chairman of iNEC that superintended the elections that
got him out of Aso-Rock.
Another
key factor to consider is that the party does not observe
fist-come-first-serve-style of selection. Every party member, regardless of
when they join, are free to indicate their interest and purchase nomination
form. PDP does not isolate party members or muscle any prospective aspirants
from pursuing their politician ambition. The field is always liberal with the
PDP and any player who feels confident and bold to play can jump in to fight.
Also
worthy of note is the fact that their leaders are reachable and approachable. A
Lagos PDP ward Chairman told City People that it doesn’t take more than a week
or two to facilitate a meeting with the party Chairman whenever there is a need
for it.
“The
party structure allows for smooth interaction and networking. As a ward leader,
if I want to have a meeting with the national chairman, I can facilitate it
with my LGA who will escalate the information to the state. I will just be
called upon by the State Chairman, whenever the National Chairman is around to
link up. PDP has no sacred god. Apart from the fact that there is a structured
hierarchy of leadership, every member is important to the fold”, he said.
One
other thing that is working for the party is the fact that the question of
godfatherism is not often pronounced. The party holds and controls its
structures at state levels and they do not unnecessarily influence the state.
This gives the impression that PDP has a template of running true federalism at
some point, which will ultimately be metamorphosed into the long-awaited
restructuring.
Another
gubernatorial aspirant in the forthcoming Osun State elections, who decided to
pitch his tent with the PDP told City People that he decided to choose the
opposition party because of the transparent party manifesto, structure and
organization.
“We
are only 6 aspirants and none has ever attempted to undermine the other to
reduce the competition. Everybody is given the same level playing ground and we
are all ready to support whoever wins the candidacy in the end".
“Looking
at the whole 6 aspirants, I can tell you categorically that we are all fit to
run the state even better than the current government". “Better put, the
worst of the six of us will be better than this government, and you can take
that to the bank”, he said.
A
national executive from the party who spoke with City People during Governor
Seyi Makinde’s visit to Lagos on Friday also noted that the party congresses,
conventions and other key events are usually peaceful and orderly.
“Did
you notice our congress last year? Was there any crisis? Was there any
objection or rejection of results within the party? Can you also recall how
peaceful our presidential primaries in 2018 was? We are a very peace-loving
party that believes in the rule of law.
“If
there have been any case or cause of infractions, it would definitely be traced
back to the days before 2014, and those who were trouble makers have gone to
the other party, and you can see what’s happening there.”, he said.
PDP
was founded in August 1998 by members of numerous groups and organizations, including
the groups known as G-18 and G-34. The party, which has a broad political base,
supports economic deregulation, human rights, and greater funding for health
care and education, among other goals. It has produced three presidents since
1999 and still controls no fewer than 13 states across Nigeria.
-
Joseph Seun Emmanuel
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