…Like Atiku, others struggle to secure platforms
There are indications that opposition political parties may not be able to develop the internal cohesion necessary to take on the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, as all parties remain embroiled in internal conflicts.
The main opposition People's Democratic Party, the PDP, has continued to struggle from one type of internal conflict to another in an effort to rebuild the party and prepare for the 2027 elections.
This is just as the party's November 15 and 16 national elective convention is now dependent on the October 31 judgment of the court in Abuja.
Some party members had approached the court to stop the party from going ahead with the election convention.
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But while the opposition struggles with its own internal democratic turmoil, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is going from strength to strength
Four governors of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Delta, Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Bayelsa have already left the party for the ruling APC.
The party is strengthening its base at the grassroots level, where it hopes to increase the number of voters before 2027.
The crisis is linked to groups loyal to the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Austin Nwachukwu, the Chairman of the PDP in Imo State; Amah Nanna, Chairman of the PDP in Abia State; and PDP South-South Zone Secretary Turnah George Wadi is leading the
James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja has set October 31 to decide whether the party can proceed with the conference
The aggrieved group expressed displeasure with the Umar Damagam led NWC over issues of South-South zonal leadership, party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Plateau states as well as micro-zoning arrangements for the conference.
The group warned that the planned conference could be in jeopardy if the party fails to review some of its recent decisions.
A similar crisis is currently ravaging the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leading to the expulsion of its Deputy National Chairman and others.
The crisis has also led to the appointment of Nenadi Osman and Bashir Saidu as chairman and co-chairman of the state coalition:
At a press conference held at the Golden Orange Gate Hotel, Narayani High Cost on Sunday, the party said the action was necessary to unify all opposition leaders in Kaduna State under the African Democratic Congress (ADC);
The party accused the ruling APC of “infiltrating and undermining the unity of opposition political leaders in the state so as to impede the proper restructuring, growth and development of the ADC in the state;
“As part of the initiative to infiltrate and undermine the unity of opposition political leaders, some mercenary politicians have sponsored some willing instruments to initiate court cases against some leaders of the coalition, including Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Mallam Jafaru Sani, the National Vice Chairman (North-West).
“After reviewing all developments within the ADC and the coalition in the state, we supported the decision to expel Alah, the Vice Chairman of the ADC State Working Committee led by Elder Patrick Didam Ambut, Ahmed Tijani Mustapha, State Publicity Secretary, Eng. Idris Musa, State Vice Chairman Zone 1, Suleiman Abdullahi, State Treasurer, Gambo Sani, State Financial Secretary, Magaji Maiwada, State Legal Adviser Danlami Dabai, PWD State Coordinator, Sakura Muhammad and State Deputy Youth Leaders, Ibrahim Muhammad and Mansoor Gaga.
“Furthermore, the coalition leaders unanimously resolved to blacklist Honorable Adamu Ahmed Datijo, Alh. Suleiman Abdullahi and Sen. Musa Bello for initiating a court case against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Jafaru Sani and Bashir Saidu without concluding the internal dispute process, who clearly have ulterior motives and underhanded dealings with the APC or their agents to undermine the ability of the coalition to restructure the ADC. Confirms a strong party capable of defeating APC in Kaduna State in 2027.”
“Accordingly, the coalition leaders in Kaduna State ordered ADC leaders at the national level and the general public to cease any dealings with them in relation to the activities of the ADC and the coalition in Kaduna State.
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“As part of the strategic objective of ensuring the emergence of a disciplined leadership in the state, Senator Nnadi Usman and Alh. Muhammad Bashir Saidu have been returned as Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively of the coalition in Kaduna State. With this decision, they will now be the rallying point of the coalition’s activities and reorganizing the ADC in Kaduna State.
In a related development, the Labor Party LP is also embroiled in internal crises, making it impossible for the party to hold a credible congress and re-strategize ahead of the 2027 elections.
Subsequently the tenure of the National Working Committee NWC led by Julius Ebure expired and the party was unable to replace him.
All efforts to establish peace between the party leadership and members have so far proved futile.
