The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bauchi state is relentlessly building an invincible political entourage for the journey to win the 2023 gubernatorial election by having veteran politicians of substance jumping ships from different parties to the PDP in their numbers.
Securing the support of these politically savvy stakeholders, especially from the All Progressives Congress,APC, their arch rival, is something to write home about. However, PDP are seemingly lacking in strategy. They, for a reason known to them, forget to press on the calculations of the other parties, which is costing them a lot and would seriously affect the party’s chances at the polls like sandpaper.
The PDP’s hitherto good decision to pick Governor Bala Mohammed’s running mate from Zaki local government area, who in the 2019 general elections failed to win the seat for the House of Representatives at the first ballot, if not for the magnanimity of Governor Bala Mohammed. After winning the 2019 governorship election, Bala Mohammed appointed him as a commissioner in his cabinet. But he is now rendered dumb and weak by the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, nomination of someone from Katagum Local government area to deputise their candidate. Fact is Katagum is where the chunk of voters reside as far as Bauchi North is concerned. Should things continue as they are, there is the possibility that the NNPP would take home the majority of votes from Katagum as their son would deputise Dokaji while he is popular in Bauchi Central.
As for the APC, they have the same calculation as the NNPP, having the gubernatorial candidate and senatorial candidate all from the same local government area, “Giade”, while the deputy governor was slotted for Bauchi LGA in Bauchi South Senatorial District, rejecting numerous contenders from other LGAs (i.e. Kirfi and Alkaleri). Despite the fact that all parties in Bauchi South may receive the same number of votes, the PDP’s vote will most probably be damaged more than any other party.
Besides, except for Bauchi local government area, Toro and Alkaleri LGAs none can match Katagum in terms of votes from that zone. This suggests that if the PDP continues on its current path, winning Katagum will be difficult.
In conclusion, the PDP still has a chance, if it properly uses its thinking cap, to look into the possibility of slotting the deputy governor seat in Katagum LGA by picking a strong and influential politician with many political credentials to steer them to winning the gubernatorial election come 2023.
A stitch in time saves nine!
Mallam Musbahu Magayaki,
Sabon Fegi, Azare,
Bauchi state
[email protected]
