The stranglehold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the House of Representatives seat since the return to democracy in 1999 is outstanding and overwhelming. This is evident in the fact that, the party against all odds has won every election for the House of Representatives seat since then.
The reason for this situation is that PDP has been able to present popular candidates and APC has consistently put forward candidates that the constituents see as not emerging fairly from the primaries.
The Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency scenario is replicated in Kogi/Koton-Karfe Federal Constituency with another PDP person in position and ADC on the seat for Yagba Federal Constituency.
What makes the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu situation unique and worrisome is the perfect record of victories while that of the two other Federal Constituencies are more of mixed blessings where neither PDP or APC have been able to dominate.
As the quest for political relevance and offices intensify in the 2023 Elections, it has become imperative to examine the reasons for the humiliating successive trouncing the APC has suffered in the hands of PDP as far as the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency is concerned.
Several persons have subtly indicated interest while others have openly and unabashedly proclaimed their aspirations.
Can APC afford to continue doing things the same way it has always done in the way candidates emerge from pools of aspirants? The answer is NO!
The Federal Constituency has shown that its choice of persons for the House of Representatives seat is not determined by the status of any political party either as opposition or ruling party. As every manner of person is expressing interest, a detailed profiling of aspirants is not only desirable but necessary.
This is to ascertain capacity, capability and acceptance to deliver.
The time is ripe to break a 24 years old jinx and it will be a shame if we don’t. The narrative must change in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency for the All Progressives Congress and this can only happen if things are done right but differently.
– Tunmishe Bamisile writes from Lokoja.
