Plateau PDP LG primaries: why inclusive dialogue necessary….victory is certain- stalwarts

By Agada Daniel, Jos

For the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to achieve electoral success and effective governance in Plateau State, fostering inclusive dialogue is essential to address the concerns arising from the local governments party primaries in the State, reconciliation mechanisms will need to be robust and inclusive.

The PDP leadership should initiate dialogues that include all stakeholders especially those who feel marginalized as a result of the primaries.

This would involve both the aspirants who lost and the party members who supported them. Such dialogues should aim to acknowledge grievances, discuss them openly, and seek mutually agreeable solutions. By doing so, the party can prevent further alienation of these members and strengthen unity.

Our correspondent who assess the unfolding scenario that greeted the outcome of PDP chairmanship and councillorship primaries suggest the following measures.

Needs for Conflict Resolution Committees: Establishing conflict resolution committees composed of neutral party members respected by all factions could help mediate disputes. These committees can investigate allegations of manipulation or imposition during the primaries and recommend corrective measures. Ensuring transparency in their proceedings will be crucial for restoring trust.

Power-Sharing Arrangements: To address the issue of favoritism or perceived imposition of candidates, the PDP could consider implementing power-sharing agreements at the local level. This might involve giving key positions in the party’s local executive councils to representatives of the factions that lost out in the primaries, ensuring they have a stake in the upcoming elections.

Appeal and Redress Mechanisms:Providing a formal platform for aggrieved candidates to appeal the outcomes of the primaries could also help mitigate discontent. If appeals are handled fairly and transparently, it can create a sense of justice and reduce the potential for defections to other parties.

Strengthening Party Discipline:
The party leadership could also reinforce discipline by ensuring that all party members adhere to the decisions reached through reconciliation. This might include setting clear expectations for behavior during and after the reconciliation process and applying sanctions if necessary.

Grassroots Engagement: Engaging with the grassroots members who supported various candidates can help rebuild confidence in the party’s processes. This might involve organizing town hall meetings or other forms of direct engagement where party leaders can explain the reasons for the decisions made and reassure members of their commitment to the party’s collective success.

By implementing these mechanisms, the PDP can address the internal fractures caused by the primaries and present a united front in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for 9th October, 2024.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Governor Caleb Mutfwang informed newsmen that the Governor intend to organise a free and fair election in order to improve his outlook in the international stage. This brings to the fore the need to reconcile grievances.

The State PDP Chairman Honourable Chris Hassan through his personal assistant, Media and protocol officer, Mr Kefas Simdi reacting to the development in the party noted thus:
“Normally in an election, you must have issues; it’s part of politics. If there are no issues, it means something is wrong somewhere. So, it’s natural to have issues, but the party has an internal mechanism to resolve them.

“We have a regulatory committee already in place; it’s just a matter of reactivating it to bring all the worried factions or aggrieved individuals together to resolve our issues. The elections have come and gone, so what we are focusing on now is for PDP to win all the 17 local governments. We have 325 councilorship seats, and we want to win all of them that’s why we are talking to ourselves.

“From the ward executives to the local government executives, the level of consensus is about 95 to 98 percent shows that we have few issues to resolve. We identify where the problems are and were moving quickly to reach out to those who are aggrieved so that we can come together.

“I want to assure you that the voter turnout we are going to get in this October 9th election will be tremendous, and the APC will regret participating in the election. Party faithful should have confidence in the internal mechanisms of the party to resolved all issues.” He assured

PDP chairman of Jos North, Ishaya Azi is optimistic that victory is certain by the grace of God come 9th October, 2024.

“This is politics which always comes it’s dynamics. But I can assured you reconciliation is ongoing and there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Also speaking Alhaji Audu Ibrahim, believed PDP stand a better chance of winning all the 17 local government councils looking at the landmark achievements set in place by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, noting “the party is exploring all mechanism with stakeholders to resolve internal frackers and that will be over soon.”

However, the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) vowed to win local councils elections convincingly as they will navigate on the outcome of the PDP primaries.

State chairman of APC, Rufus Bature made this known during a stakeholders meeting held on Monday 2nd September, 2024, at party Secretariat, Kalwa House, Jos.

According to him “We intend to not only participate in the contest but to clear the polls convincingly, based on our level of preparedness and the anticipated support from all of you, most especially the critical stakeholders.

“The APC is on the threshold of changing the political narrative, if we put our act together and capitalise on the inadequacies of the PDP led administration in the State”, Bature stated.

Unfortunately, the reversed is the case as the gale of defections emanated in Plateau APC. The former commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy affairs, and chairman of Kanam local government council during Lalong led administration. Dr. Dayyabu Yusuf Garga alongside thousands of followers had on Saturday 31st August,2024, dumped APC for PDP.

Sources also told our correspondent that more big-wig from APC and other political parties were on the pipeline of joining PDP soon.

Arising from the foregoing, therefore, PDP as a ruling party, internal party cohesion is strengthened when members feel heard and valued.Engaging with various stakeholders and addressing their needs can significantly boost the PDP’s electoral prospects.