It is now clear based on permutation that the Adamawa state politics is between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). PDP has been at the helms of affairs of the state since inception of the present political dispensation in 1999; virtually all that mattered then in the state, with the exception of late Alhaji Mahmud Waziri, belonged to PDP which made it easy for the party to be well grounded in the state and winning all the elections.
The formidable forces that made the party so strong were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, erstwhile National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Mr Wilberforce Juta, Professor Jibrin Aminu, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, a former minister of Health and Governor of Plateau State, Chief Elias Nathan, Mr Boss Gida Mustapha, Chief Silas Zwingina, late General Abdullahi Shelleng, General Haldu Hananiya, and Brigadier Aliyu Kama.
Along the line, some of these forces parted ways but the party was able to continue to have the upper hand until recently, when the incumbent Governor Murtala Nyako defected from the party to join the main stream opposition APC and lately, the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also join the bandwagon. As things stand today, the battle would be between the PDP and the APC. The PDP today in Adamawa state parades both heavyweights and lightweights in the art of politics.
Prominent elements on voyage in the PDP are Jibrin Aminu, former Governor Boni Haruna, Chief Hammanjoda Madaki, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, General Haldu Hananiya, Deputy Governor Bala Ngillari, Senator Silas Zwingina, Senator Grace Bent, Senator Bello Tukur, Alhaji Abubukar Abdullahi Sardauna Michika, Barrister Ahmed Gulak Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Ambassador James Barka, Alhaji Hassan Tukur Principal Private Secretary to President Jonathan, Ambassador Hassan Adamu wakili of Adamawa and Mr. Emmanuel Teri Vahyala Commissioner representing the state at Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission. The APC Nyako, Atiku Abubakar, Senator Bindawo Jibrilla, Senator Ahmed Barrata, Brigadier Muhammadu Buba Marwa, Engineer Markus Gundiri, Alhaji Musa Kamale, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu erstwhile Chairman of the EFCC.
The scene would be for the one with the political acumen to sway the people. PDP is solidly grounded and it is quite difficult to erase the mindset of the minorities from the party, especially in areas such as Numan, Demsa, Lamurde, Song, Hong, Shelleng, Gombi and Michika. The APC would have the sympathy of the people of Yola-North, Yola-South, Jada, Ganye and Mayo Belwa, and Fufore. The people are the determinants but from all indications, the
APC would not have a smooth sailing to dislodge the PDP in the state. The party even at its infancy is enmeshed in crisis of confidence and there is the likelihood that some will quit the party after the registration. This stems from the ambition of some of the stakeholders who may not get the nod of the party. The Hausa say, “Ba a san ma ci tuwo ba sai miya ya kare,” literally meaning nobody knows who eats food until the soup is finished.
Usman Santuraki,
No2 Santuraki Close,
Jambutu Ward, Jimeta, Yola
