As a fact, PDP needs a serious reinforcement and restrategizing. The last Saturday Lokoja/Koto by-election is a prelude to exactly how 2019 elections will look like. But we are sufficiently warned by these early signs.
The Saturday elections left so much to be desired of PDP’s performance. The following must be given prompt attention if we are desirous of winning 2019 elections:
1. The elderly members should learn how to bring up some younger ones that are energetic, daring, loyal and dogged in the party.
2. This fight ahead is a big one and success can only be determined by collectively fighting it. Now, those few people who think they own PDP must drop that mentality this time.
3. We must encourage sincerity and due process in our primary elections because internal democracy is the only solid foundation to combat the ruling party. Of course, the strength of an opposition political party (both at the national level or Kogi state level) must be linked to a strong internal democracy.
4. We must not be complacent and as such over-rely on the failures of Bello for a soft landing. Obviously, non-payment of Civil Servants and Pensioners can’t be relied on as a yardstick to win elections anymore. The event of last Saturday revealed that Civil Servants within Koto area collected 2000 and 3000 to vote for APC not minding the fact that Bello was owing to them. In fact, we have insider information too that Edward Onoja was the one that suggested nonpayment of salaries as a strategy to create an artificial hunger in the land and leave the voters at their mercy.
5. Strong strategic think-tank team needs to be set up now. The experience and influence of our elders/leaders that are ex-military personnel, ex-police officers, ex-ministers, ex-governors, ex-legislators etc. are needed now than ever.
6. The elders of the party must be mindful of the fact that there is a complete innovation in politics now, there is a new improvement on how politics is done now. The best bet now is to create room for the younger ones to at least share ideas with them. It was the old style of politics we relied on that failed us on Saturday. For example, our agents must insist the card readers begin to read from zero. Many didn’t know that and APC exploited it with the pvcs they collected from INEC through the back door.
8. Then we must be ruthless as opposition. How one behaves as a ruling party is completely different from when you are in OPPOSITION.
9. The greatest factor that killed us last Saturday is 5th columnist which I prefer to better describe as “enemies within”. In modern politics, loyalty pays better than competence. Our investigation revealed that some key leaders of the PDP within Lokoja/Koto constituency collected one million Naira (N1,000,000) each from Bello to work against PDP. In addition, Bello pleaded with them to allow Lokoja complete its term, then by 2019, the mantle will shift to Koto. Recall PDP candidate came from GEGU which has only 2 polling unit, therefore some of PDP leaders view the guy as a threat to Koto quest for the 2019 promise. We must address the issue of enemies within.
10. There is also the big issue of unserious agents. It is sad that even before the real business of the day commenced, some PDP agents were already compromised and inevitably became sellouts. Until date, PDP can’t come out with a contrary result, not even the result of the polling units where the PDP leaders cast their own votes. Please, let us look for strong-willed and reliable persons for all the polling stations in Kogi State.
NOTE: Kogites are looking unto PDP to the rescue. Thus, we must present a rejuvenated, strategic, energised and resilient PDP in Kogi State.
Lastly, we must warn ourselves. Bello’s failure is not really the reason to take things for granted and field a haphazard candidate. Please, serious people should be allowed to go into primary and let it be free and fair, don’t force consensus candidate on the people. PDP must change her tactics now.
– Usman Okai Austin
