PDP and the crisis of relevance

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is direly in need to establish its credentials as a formidable platform to articulate alternative views on the governance of the country. Perhaps it is more appropriate to say that the party had all along been faced with the challenge of reinventing itself. Had it been able to achieve some acceptable level of internal restructuring, under the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur or even Alhaji Adamu Muazu after him, it is possible-just possible-that it could have retained power at the federal level. What is not clear is whether retaining the presidency could have been achieved without nominating a northern candidate, a factor that not only polarized the party by culminated in the departure of some of its prized members. The 2015 election has come and gone. The PDP emerged from the election completely worsted. But for some token redemptive effort in Taraba State, the party which had flaunted a 150-year uninterrupted rule as its birthright failed so woefully in the north that visitors to Nigeria could pass it for a regional party. So what should it do in the face of this dismal outing? What is left is for it to now undertake a radical internal restructuring that would guarantee its relevance in the opposition role that has been thrust upon it. But the pertinent question remains whether the leaders of the party possess the sincerity to learn from their mistakes and the courage to chart a new course no matter whose ox is gored. In some sense, it is rather strange that, on a daily basis, the PDP is busy picking holes in President Muhammadu Buhari’s actions. Granted that the party’s opposition status confers a watchdog role on it, many would consider it rather impolitic and an affront to the electorate, that the man they gave their mandate is literally being hounded on a daily basis. I think that it is rather too early to engage a President who is yet to settle down into office in debilitating sparring sessions. To that extent, I will think that the PDP should rather concentrate on re-establishing an internal dynamic that boasts of the integrity and moral force to hold existing members, reintegrate estranged ones and enjoy the confidence of the electorate. Against the background of the protracted instability suffered by the party and the evident treachery clandestinely carried out by some of the its leaders, PDP needs to install a party executive that has the clout, integrity, unquestioned loyalty, widespread acceptability, commitment and exposure to command the respect of both its members and members of the ruling party. In this regard, enthroning a formidable personality as national chairman, someone who commands widespread respect becomes a compelling success factor. Without mincing words, how the party executive is reconstituted will determine whether or not it will command national recognition and relevance and by extension, its ability to function effectively as a formidable opposition platform. If the speculation that the party has scheduled a special congress for August, 2015 is correct, it will afford it one great opportunity to reestablish its credential as an institution anchored on strong nationalist principles. The political mill is awash with speculations that Bala Mohammed, Kauran Bauchi and immediate past minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, is being seriously considered for the position. Should that happen the PDP would have taken a bold and honest step towards its redemption. But that depends on whether the cabal whose handling of party affairs had so alienated as to frustrate loyal members out of the party would be ready for the Bala Mohammed type of leadership. Bold, fearless and forthright, the erstwhile minister spares no punches in matters of equity, loyalty and justice. However, political observers will agree that the Kauran Bauchi may need to, first, reach much needed rapprochement with his kinsmen in the persons of two former governors of the state, Ahmed Muazu and Isa Yuguda, the former being the immediate past chairman of the PDP under whose watch, the party was routed by APC’s political machine. In spite of them, Bala’s greatest asset lies in his unquestionable loyalty to the party while maintaining very positive relationship with the top brass of other political parties, a quality that could be of strategic significance as the PDP grapples with its crisis of relevance. Mbakogu, a public affairs analyst, is resident in Abuja