Bala Mohammed and the Bounce Back of PDP

Bala Mohammed and the Bounce Back of PDP
By Abdullahi O. Haruna Haruspice

In the past eight years, Nigeria’s largest opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, swam in the shark-infested ocean, rendering the aquatic system too hot for habitation. For a party that once dominated political governance at the centre and in most of the sub-nationals for close to two decades; the past eight years have been for it, a tale of woes, setbacks, and unfulfilled ambitions.

Ever since it lost the holy grail to Muhammadu Buhari, a military tactician who contested the presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2015, the PDP’s glorious days of yore have been very far from returning, despite claims by its image maker that it remains the party to beat in every election cycle.

In 2019 and 2023, the party again watched in bewilderment its failure to return to power at the centre with voters electing to keep faith with the APC, who in the recently-held election, threw up Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a veteran of the democratic struggle dating back to the Second Republic.

In what appears an official eagerness to truly reposition the party for the task ahead, PDP governors recently picked Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State to steer the affairs of the PDP Governors’ Forum, in the course of a retreat put together for its elective members in Bauchi. Since that historic feat, not a few commentators have lauded the party for finally putting aside primordial sentiments to do the right thing at the right time. This commentary interrogates the possibility of Governor Muhammed’s leadership to spur the PDP back into reckoning in the years ahead.

One of the primary roles of the Forum’s chairman is to foster unity among PDP governors across the country. Governor Muhammed’s selection for this crucial position signifies the trust and confidence the party’s governors have in his leadership. His ability to bring together a diverse group of governors with varying interests and priorities could be instrumental in reinvigorating the party at the grassroots level. A united front of PDP governors could translate into improved coordination, stronger campaign strategies, and better governance, all of which are vital for the party’s success.

Recall that the Integrity Group, a body of five aggrieved ex-governors led by Nyesom Wike, then governor of Rivers State, moved against the now suspended National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu. Their grouse was that in line with Article 45 of the PDP Constitution which provides for equitable distribution of national and party offices; Ayu, a Northerner ought to give way for a Southerner to succeed as another Northerner and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar had emerged the flag bearer in the presidential election. Ayu who had initially pledged to quit in the event of a Northerner picking the sole ticket, reneged on his promise; a development that culminated in the withdrawal of their membership of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council.

Apart from Wike, other members of the group included Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom,and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former governors of Abia, Benue, and Enugu States respectively as well as the incumbent governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

All entreaties for a ceasefire on the camp of the warring camps proved abortive and this singular development played a significant part in the failure of Atiku to defeat his APC counterpart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite the uproar generated by the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling party.

More than two months after the elections, the aggrieved leaders are yet to fully embrace the party that brought them into national prominence. But, not to worry, PDP now has Governor Mushammed in the saddle, who given his broad-based intervention during the crisis, remains the right man to broker the elusive peace. “I was a member of this group (G-5) from the beginning but for reasons best known to them, they decided not to carry me along,” the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory told the Wike-led group when they paid him a solidarity visit in the weeks preceding the 2023 general election. So, who is better placed than the man who knew the reason for the formation of the group but chose to align his leaning with party supremacy at a time loyalty was an article of trade?

Governor Bala Muhammed’s credentials as a seasoned politician and administrator make him a suitable choice to steer the PDP Governors Forum. With his vast experience in public service, including serving as a federal minister and senator, he brings valuable insights and political acumen to the table. His track record of effective governance in Bauchi State and his reputation as a bridge-builder make him well-suited to navigate the challenges faced by Nigeria’s most organic party to date. Muhammed’s leadership could help reshape the party’s image and instill confidence in its ability to govern effectively.

Reliable almost to a point of sacrificing himself for others; the governor has reportedly commenced moves to institute a reconciliation panel that would not only bring Wike and his group back into the PDP’s frame but would also serve as vehicle for reaching out to all aggrieved members who for one reason or the other, have stopped associating themselves with the activities of the PDP.

Difficult as it is to identify Bala Mohammed’s biggest leadership trait, what is never in doubt is his unquestionable leadership of virtues he believes in. Backed by sundry groups to contest the 2023 PDP Presidential ticket, the amiable governor, aware of media reports linking his formal principal, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to the exulted office, made it clear that he won’t compete with the former President. This, he said, was borne out of personal loyalty to a man who pulled him out of the federal parliament to serve the nation as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. And although, he procured the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to vie for the plum office even with Jonathan not in the race, Gov Mohammed again pulled out to make the contest less intense both for the party and the contestants.

For the PDP to stage a successful comeback, it needs to reestablish its presence and connect with the grassroots. Governor Muhammed’s appointment suggests a renewed focus on grassroots mobilization. By leveraging his experience in grassroots politics, he can help the party regain the support of the masses. The PDP must reconnect with its base and address the concerns of ordinary Nigerians to win back their trust. Muhammed’s leadership could facilitate this process, enabling the party to rebuild its support base and broaden its appeal.

The story is told of how a print journalist deployed to the Northeast monitor the February 25 Presidential election, discovered the love people have for the Bauchi State Chief Executive outside his state. The following conversation was recorded by the journalist for posterity.

Journalist: Good evening my friend. Tomorrow is election and I hope you are ready. Do you have your PVC?

Abbas: Welcome sir. Please, direct your question to those who are interested in the exercise. It pains me I won’t be allowed to come out and sell phone accessories tomorrow because of election.

Journalist: You are of voting age. What would make you not to vote the person of your choice?

Abbas (now more relaxed): I don’t belong to any political party and I am not impressed in any of them. I have my PVC but I am not just ready to use it.

Journalist: Can you tell me why?

Abbas: My father is an APC leader here. I am not going to vote because the best man is not on the ballot. The man they should have brought forward is Senator Bala Mohammed.

Another critical aspect of Governor Muhammed’s role as chairman is to work with the PDP governors in formulating a robust policy agenda that resonates with the aspirations of the Nigerian people. The party needs a clear and coherent vision for the country, backed by concrete policy proposals. By leveraging the collective wisdom and experiences of the PDP governors, Muhammed can help develop a comprehensive agenda that addresses the pressing needs of the nation. A well-articulated policy platform could serve as a catalyst for the PDP’s resurgence and attract support from diverse sections of society.

Away from the academic documents of old, such policy should be time-bound and implementable by the business model of Management By Objective (MBO). Efficiency and effectiveness, the twin concept of evaluating and monitoring policy success, should be given a pride of place to give the PDP a new sense of direction in its quest to reposition itself for future electioneering challenges.

Governor Muhammed loves challenges and the best opportunity to kickstart his leadership of the PDP Forum is the November 11 Governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States. In the three states, PDP is only in charge of one (Bayelsa), with APC ruling the roost in Imo and Kogi. November seems some distance away but the Governor is aware that nothing beats adequate preparation in a political contest. All aggrieved parties who lost out in the primaries and who are now threatening to work with the opposition must immediately be pacified. Yes, Governor Muhammed should unmask the bigger picture for them to see because those who lose today are certain of victory tomorrow if they remain on the path paved with service and patriotism.

Haruspice writes from Abuja