Wrong sir
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I have just heard with one ear that former President Jonathan believes Nigerians would want PDP to return to power in 2019.
Well, the former President is certainly entitled to his opinion, but if he believes that the recent Osun West Senatorial bye-election in which Dr. Ademola Adeleke of the PDP emerged victorious is an indication that the coast is clear for PDP in 2019, then I dare say he is gravely mistaken.
Adeleke’s victory is not PDP victory, it is Adeleke’s personal victory, and it is the product of a protest vote against the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s mishandling of APC’s processes leading to picking its senatorial candidate. So, nobody should kid himself. Adeleke remains APC blood, soul and body and if push comes to shove he would move right back to the APC.
Secondly, Jonathan should realize that despite everything, Buhari’s traditional support base in the north still remains intact. If Buhari decides to run for re-election in 2019, this support base will vote him again. If he decides not to run, they will vote his anointed, Prof Yemi Osinbajo or whoever emerges from the north to “complete” his second term.
Even with PDP zoning the Presidency to the north, victory is not assured judging from the macabre dance its principal actors are engaged in. For one thing, the Modi Sheriff factor would have a countervailing effect against the party from within. The war between Makarfi faction and Sheriff faction may have been won and lost in the Supreme Court, but it is far from over on the political front. There would certainly be more drama in the months ahead.
And with a character like Fayose throwing his hat in the Presidential race as an open sup for vice the presidential slot – a move that would certainly produce some internal realignments in the party, I see an unclear coast for PDP towards 2019.
Add this to the presidential and vice-presidential ambitions of PDP moles in APC a’la Atiku Abubakar and Bukola Saraki – who are likely to “re-defect” – you will agree that PDP’s problem is far from over. These two don’t exactly command trust and confidence in Nigerians.
Also, the stories of uncouth looting that went on under PDP, which majority of Nigerians are not likely to forget in a hurry, will also have a negative effect on PDP chances in 2019.
