By: Dahiru Hassan Kera
The elections have so far been won and lost whether through the polls or via the election tribunals and it is now time to cast a backward glance and take a cursory look at the major events that shaped the entire process. This measurement and evaluation exercise is very necessary even if just to identify necessary adjustments, define needed alignments that can be used to illuminate the next elections slated for 2027. Indeed, for the umpire, early preparations are a major key for organising free, fair and acceptable polls. And for the contenders, understand what went wrong before will offer useful guidance.
However, to attempt a wholesome review of the election as went down in every state will be usurping the responsibility of INEC, never mind that it will be a herculean task. Therefore, the scope and focus of this review piece shall be on and about Gombe State.
First thing to review is how the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC lost woefully in the first leg of the February 25, Presidential and National Assembly elections. In those elections, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the state dug a deep hole into the political fortunes of the APC. The PDP snatched five out of the six House of representatives’ seats leaving the APC with just one seat.
In the same fashion, the ruling party lost two of its three senatorial seats to the PDP. But for Danjuma Goje’s deep political capital, the PDP would have performed a clean sweep for senate seats on offer. Goje’s showing is what saved the ruling party’s neck from being totally yanked off in this segment of the polls as the former governor and incumbent senator, Danjuma Goje retained his seat in Gombe central.
It must be said that Goje succeeded almost against all odds because he’s a master politician who knows his political onions. Combine that with the fact that his constituents are truly enjoying his ride, and you will see why he won this time even without going out to campaign. This is despite the glaring animosity and gang up against him and his aspirations by the power that be. In the end, Goje triumphed even against political landmines planted on his path, in what many have described as a demonstration of a deepening political awareness on the part of the electorate, giving them the tools to separate chaffs from grains.
Perhaps the most surprising and disappointing aspect of the election was the incumbent governor, Inuwa Yahaya lost his polling unit, ward and the entire LGA to the opposition PDP during the February 25, election. This was a confirmation that the governor was never in charge of his party at any point in time.
So, how did the APC lose so woefully in the National Assembly elections, but managed to retain the governorship seat? Simple. The PDP, which is the main opposition party went into the election in disarray.
As an indigene of the state and having been fully involved in the electoral process, I can confidently say that I know one or two things that led to that rueful showing. And although the matter is before the courts, I can say without any fear of contradiction that internal party skirmishes within the PDP were responsible for its woeful outing at the second leg of the 2023 election.
Particularly, the PDP failed to utilise its conflict management machinery to settle the post primary election crisis that engulfed it. Instead of looking to close ranks and present a common front, a winner takes all atmosphere was enshrined by the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer who must shoulder a large chunk of the blames.
As the potential leader of the party, perhaps PDP’s flag bearer considered himself too high and mighty to care about the feelings of other members, perhaps he even believed that having won the primary election, he was already a governor in waiting. But, we all know that it’s one thing to win at the primary election of an opposition party and more unnerving to win at the general election, especially when contesting against an incumbent.
Sadly, PDP’s ill-fated journey started from name calling especially of those who passionately supported aspirants of their choice from among the array of contenders who vied for the governorship ticket; Jamilu Gwamna, Abubakar Ali Gombe, Babayo Ardo, Shehu Adamu Fura and Ya’u Gimba Kumo.
Name calling soon gravitated into vicious vituperations headlined by a leaked mindboggling audio clip in which some important stakeholders of the party were insulted and defamed by someone who was supposed to be persuading and wooing them to support him to win the election.
I recalled that, painfully, I suffered persecution not for anything but because of my membership of PDP. Everyone can remember how I was haunted by the government of Gombe State on a frivolous petition written by the immediate past state Commissioner for Finance, Muhammed Magaji which led to several threats to my life. I was declared persona non Grata in my own state and couldn’t even visit to see my elder brother who took ill in that period and was admitted at the Federal Teaching Hospital. So it was that I couldn’t do anything to support his medical struggles until he breathed his last. Not even when we lost him could I step foot in Gombe to pay my respects until after obtaining a restraining order. Thankfully, I fought the legal battle for a whole year and later won at the court.
Sadly, within the same PDP where, some of us were willing to bury the hatched and close ranks with the aspirant, I was surprised to be told without mincing words during a phone conversation with someone who should be cajoling me, that he’ll prevail with or without me. I wished him well before hanging up. We have all seen how he prevailed.
As they say, it’s too late to cry when the head is cut off. Such is the regret of those who at first thought we were wrong for dumping the man flying our party’s flag but have now seen reason with us and seeing wisdom in our actions. The over 200,000 votes scored by the PDP were the votes of ardent supporters of the party and that of those who decided not to vote for the return of the incumbent governor. To spoil the names of many who rooted for the NNPP candidate for a reason best known to all, we were reported to have purportedly collected various sums of money from the ruling party. This is ridiculous! There was nothing of such. In any case, that no longer holds any electoral value, does it?
The PDP in Gombe or whatever is left of it is now crumbling. People are leaving in droves and it’s highly unlikely that the mass exodus will stop any time soon. The imperative for the party to rise up and put its house in order can never be overemphasized. It is my strong belief that the PDP even in its current rag tag state has strong prospect come 2027 election.
But, that prospect can never amount to anything until we implement reforms that will promote fairness, respect for the right of every stakeholders to pursue their ambitions within a serene internal party atmosphere devoid of rancour and injustice. Imposition of less popular candidates because of their personal stations in life must be eschewed, especially as some have proven to be either without a brass farthing or penny-pincher after getting the ticket. It must be seen that newcomers in the party exhibiting exuberance must be checked. If we can do this, the PDP will return to her glory days in Gombe.
Kera, is a Publisher of Daylight Reporters and Public Affairs Analyst.
