PDP Convention: Much Ado About Winners And Losers

 The dust ahead of Saturday, March 8, 2008 convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has finally settled. But the tension or hypertension it caused a lot of political watchers, aspirants inclusive, is yet to settle. I remember noting that some governors of PDP-controlled states visited President Umaru Yar'adua at the State House, Abuja. The visit was said, to demand that they be allowed to screen all aspirants for the party's elective offices and also pick consensus candidates for authorization at the convention. I learnt also that President Yar'adua hosted the governors. And that the governors' move was evidently aimed at, to grab hold of the party's machinery from ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo, in his undemocratic politicking methodology, was seen as crooked on installing the ex-governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, as the party's national chairman. This move by the elsewhile head of state was to pay Egwu back for supporting his (Obasanjo) evil Third Term plot in 2006. Do-or-die politician of no less valour as Obasanjo was visiting several states around the country, openly campaigning for Egwu, despite being the chairman of the party's Board of Trustees. What a shame? While most PDP governors were said to be supporting former Senate president, Anyim Pius Anyim, for the chairmanship position. Their support was said was in order to reduce or whittle Obasanjo's shameful imperious sway on the party. Nigerians watched the key contenders for the office of the national chairman of PDP with keen interest. Reportedly, documents obtained in Abuja indicated that twenty-six aspirants were contesting for the position of National Chairman that was zoned to the South East, while ten aspirants collected forms to contest for National Secretary. Five aspirants from the North purchased form for the position of the Deputy National Chairman, a position Chief Alamode George was expected to vacate on Saturday.

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The key contenders were the former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; former Ebonyi State governor, Dr. Sam Egwu; former Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Owelle Rochas Okorocha; businessman and publisher, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu; a pioneering party member, Dr Ezekiel Izuogu; and the National Vice Chairman (South East), Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu; but no one expected that the former party national secretary of PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor would become the man who succeeded a first degree arrogant politician Dr. Ahmed Ali, the out gone PDP chairman.

 As Prince Vincent Ogbulafor from Abia State and Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje from Kwara State respectively emerged as PDP’s national chairman and secretary, beating out a horde of aspirants, many people now remain mute but I must say categorically that the winners would continue to attain support of many Nigerians throughout the time they will stay in the office only if they would continue to be democratic as has been perceived from many quarters. I also extend my gratitude to the losers for taking the outcome of the convention with the spirit of sportsmanship.

 Ogbulafor and Baraje must not forget that their being in the envied offices was not that they were better than the other contenders, but rather it was The Governors. Their letter to the President said, that this decision is subject to the President’s decision, which may entail a new candidate. We all pledge that we will all support the President’s choice, whoever it is.

 Former Senate President, Dr. Pius Anyim who was locked in a battle for the position with former governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu, should congratulate Ogbulafor’s victory as chairman of the party, because Ogbulafor’s emergence as the winner does not mean that the other contenders political ambitions have ended. Rather, the victory is gradually a way of ending the democracy militancy of Olusegun Obasanjo who backed Egwu’s candidacy and campaigned heavily for him.

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 What a disappointment for Obasanjo, who thought that there was nobody in a country of over 140m people like Nigeria? Obasanjo had hoped to retain control of the party. He was doing this by sponsoring his loyalists into key positions in the party. He sponsored President Yar’Adua, as president of Nigeria, and Senator David Mark, as Senate president. In his do-or-die way, he picked Egwu for PDP’s chairman and Senator Tunde Ogbeha as secretary? Haba! Also, I thank Obasanjo for exposing his pseudo-politicking!

 In a nutshell, Nigerians of good will continue to honour the nascent G-21 and the Integrity Group who fought lead, sinker and hook to grasp Integrity for the party. They led the mugging against Obasanjo’s candidates and worked against Obasanjo’s interest. They achieved this by presenting more plausible candidates. Reportedly, “These groups have party heavyweights who were disenchanted with Obasanjo’s political ideology of imposing candidates on the party on their side.” I thank you all!

By Odimegwu Onwumere

Rivers State. (08032552855)

Odimegwu Onwumere is a vibrant prolific author and poet, writes from
Oyigbo, Rivers , Nigeria.