Writing by Rwas Zang Apollos,
The ancient philosopher once said, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This statement has been proven true time and again in the behavior of those entrusted with power—be it political, military, or economic. Individuals in these positions often deviate from the codes of conduct that should guide modest and proper behavior in office, becoming intoxicated by the privileges of power.
This ambition can lead to toxicity, especially evident in the political processes we've observed recently, particularly within the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State.
The conduct of the ward congresses has sparked considerable unrest, particularly as the PDP in Plateau State proceeded with primary elections for councilorship and chairmanship ahead of the October local government elections organized by PLASIEC.
It is disheartening to see a party that narrowly escaped a "grace to grass" scenario fail to recognize the mercy of the Supreme Court, which restored life to a party that was on life support.
One could have hoped that the key players in the PDP would have convened to discuss consensus-building among the various candidates rather than engaging in the "Maradona politics" that has characterized recent events in Plateau State.
From our observations, the southern zone of Plateau has been a hotbed of conflict, starting in Quanpan, where an aspirant was attacked, followed by Mikang, where physical confrontations occurred. In Shandam, there were concerns about a government-imposed candidate, and Wase faced similar issues.
Langtang North witnessed a power struggle among factions vying for control, further fragmenting the party.
The central zone also experienced unrest, albeit not as intense as in the southern zone.
In Bokkos, the withdrawal of a key contender left many dissatisfied, creating an opportunity for the opposition to gain traction. We are closely monitoring Bokkos.
Mangu remained relatively calm, though some expressed legitimate grievances.
In Kanke, there was initial resistance to the emerging candidate, who was seen as a government appointed candidate; however, due to strict zoning regulations, the candidate from Lapchin was favored. Pankshin seemed calm, while Kanam appeared stable politically.
Historically, the northern zone has been the stronghold of the PDP in Plateau State since 2015, consistently delivering votes and earning the nickname "Tumbin Giwa," which translates to "the belly of the elephant," signifying its importance to the party. However, all is not well in this zone either.
From Riyom to Bladi and Jos South, there have been reports of intimidation and violations of established procedures during the primaries, particularly in Riyom.
Here, it was alleged that a winner was declared before all aspirants arrived at the venue, with claims of a consensus being reached. We await the unfolding events in Riyom.
In Bladi, the recent primary elections were notably dramatic. The PDP faced significant setbacks in the appeal court, losing both a representative and a state assembly member.
The ward congress and zoning issues have led to discontent within the local party hierarchy.
A troubling new trend has emerged in Bladi, where the term "political appointees" has taken on negative connotations. Previously, the elders' council, party officials, and key stakeholders would collaborate and make decisions collectively.
However, factions have now formed, undermining the unity that is essential for recovery from recent setbacks.
Notably, delegates were allegedly summoned to the house of the Honourable Commissioner in Bladi, where they were manipulatively kept and denied access to other aspirants.
This lack of transparency and intimidation has led to a boycott of the elections by three aspirants, revealing a significant rift within the party which may undermine its success.
Conclusion
We offer a word of advice to the PDP in Plateau State: it is crucial to take urgent steps towards genuine reconciliation at all levels to strengthen the fragile unity within the party.
There are more aggrieved members in the PDP than in all the opposition parties combined, and if the party does not act quickly to restore public sympathy, it risks losing further ground. It is essential to foster a culture of inclusivity and avoid the "winner takes all" mentality that intoxicates officeholders as they try to capture position in anticipation of future ambitions.
