By Francis Nansak
Drawing closer to 2027 which is still two years ahead and the permutations all in attempt of succession,while the ruling All Progressive Congress is armed with all the resources,it is now faced with an internal and delicate score that may settle or unsettles it should the expected appointments especially the position of the SSG goes against some perceived interest
And like a stigma the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party is faced with the choice of who becomes it 2027 gubernatorial, even when it is on note that campaigning it yet to be lifted. Some PDP stakeholder are already showing signals of dissatisfaction should the 2015 and 2023 gubernatorial candidate is maintain for the 2027 race in Nasarawa State.
The above dispositions were views and opinion of Salihu Abdullahi APC and Comrade Idris Jibrin as separately expressed respectively.
In an open letter written to the governor of Nasarawa State Engineer Abdullahi Sule,Salihu Abdullahi bares his opinion on the selection of a new Secretary to the State Government pointing at it curtail nature in balancing power.
The letter in parts and I quote” I am writing to respectfully express my opinion regarding the position of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Nasarawa State. As you consider appointments and reappointments, I humbly suggest that the SSG position remain allocated to the South Senatorial District of the state.
“This allocation would ensure equitable representation and maintain the balance of power among the senatorial districts in Nasarawa State. It would also demonstrate your administration’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity.
” I understand that you have previously appointed Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu as SSG,from Lafia representing the Southern Senatorial Zone,however, I believe it’s essential to consider the geographical distribution of key positions to promote unity and stability in the state” Salihu submitted
In another turn of event as it plays out ,this time around the PDP is raising an eyebrow over the continuous retainer ship of David Emmanuel Ombugadu
This was vividly expressed by Idris Jibrin Ibrahim,suggesting the PDP must consider a shift from retaining one individual all the time.
He said holding a party’s gubernatorial ticket is not an ambassadorial position. Elections are periodic, and a candidate ceases to be the party’s flag bearer immediately after an election has been contested and won.
Adding that a political party can, on the insider grounds of the right of first refusal or another competitive primary, graciously grant a candidate its ticket. But it is not an automatic process for any one!
According to Idris “Those who keenly follow the political happenings in Nasarawa State within the People’s Democratic Party as the leading opposition would agree with us that there is an efforts to hijacked the Party by a few elements especially it flag bearer in the 2023 election.
” For instance, the party’s flag bearer in the last general elections is merely just a candidate and not the owner of the People’s Democratic Party. He is not an elected official, yet anytime there is a gathering of PDP governors, the party’s flag bearer present himself as the representative of Nasarawa State, adorning the same attire as other elected PDP Governors. The issue is not with whatever acruable benefits he gets from the self-appointed role he undertakes, but with the sense of entitlement that often follows long-tolerated behavior.
” Like plagues, feelings of entitlement can be hard to cleanse. And it’s what has been playing out since 2015 when Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu first became a candidate. To him, he is the PDP, and the PDP is him. I totally disagree with this assumption.
” Who gave him that authority to play the role?A political party that was built by the collective efforts of all, can never be owned and attributed to an individual in Nasarawa State.
“This erroneous sense of entitlement is so deep that some groups and candidates see themselves as ready-made candidates for the party, to the extent that considering other alternatives becomes impossible in their hallucinations. This desperate, unrealistic, selfish interests and declaration of others as unfit for the position of the party’s prospective candidates is very dangerous for the survival of the party in Nasarawa State if allowed to prevail by 2027.
Continuing he added that “We understand that the incentives were strong. Dr. Ombugadu has elected himself the leader of Nasarawa State main opposition political party. He moves around with that aura, performing both ceremonial and semi-official assignments, basking in the ecstasy of power, and imagining that losing these perks would become almost an existential threat to his 2027 gubernatorial ambition. It is up to the party’s true founders, critical stakeholders, holders and indeed all patriotic party faithfuls to cure these individuals of their entitlement and erroneous assumptions, since he is equal to all members of the party irrespective of the previous antecedents.
Further more he suggested that the nuclear option of bringing the capable hands in the likes of Barrister Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi into the contest is necessary for the continued existence of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as a functional political party in the state. Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu is not the first Gubernatorial Candidate in the State and therefore, can not pocket the party for his unsuccessfully personal interest.
” The party’s interest and survival in Nasarawa State is greater than any individual interest. We can not allow anybody to mortgage the party for their regular business of unsuccessful Gubernatorial ambition. This can never be allowed to continue as far as People’s Democratic Party is concerned in Nasarawa State” Idris maintained.
