Every new political party on the political scene always anticipates tjat it can summon the political will to achieve a landslide victory during coming elections. However, for a party to be firmly grounded and effectively spread its tentacles across every area of the federation, its machinery must work tirelessly to map out strategies of how to beat their opponents.

The above statements are made specifically in reference to the new Nigerian party APC -which recently burst into the political scene following a merger with other large political parties. The objective of this discourse is not to paint APC in a bad light, cast aspersions on its leaders or campaign on their behalf. It is simply an analysis of their actions/inactions over the past few months and how that may determine their performance in the forth coming polls.

Every new political party on the scene always anticipates that it can summon the political will to achieve a landslide victory in coming elections. However, for a party to be firmly grounded and effectively spread its tentacles across every area of the federation, its machinery must work tirelessly to map out strategies of how to beat their opponents.

The above statements are made specifically in reference to the new Nigerian party APC -which recently burst into the political scene following a merger with other large political parties. The objective of this discourse is not to paint APC in a bad light, cast aspersions on its leaders or campaign on their behalf. It is simply an analysis of their actions/inactions over the past few months and how that may determine their performance in the forth coming polls.

Exactly one year ago, some political gladiators sat to brainstorm on how to wrestle power from the ruling peoples Democratic Party (PDP) those in the frontline of this course were a former head of state Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), former Governor of Lagos state, Alh. Bola Tinubu of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu of the defunct All Nigeria peoples party (ANPP) and hordes of others like the former Governor of Kano state, Alh. Ibrahim Shekarau, the former FCT minister and controversial public figure Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, an erstwhile EFCC boss Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and controversial senator, Sen. Sani Yerima among other political warlords. The knitting of ACN, CPC, ANPP and faction of APGA gave rise to what is called today as the All Progressives Congress (APC). Their nationwide consultations to woo more members into their fold is never in doubt and largely speaks volume of their seriousness to wrestle power and control from the PDP.

Recently, APC leaders led by its interim national chairman Chief Bisi Akande toured the States of all the G7 Governors in an attempt to woo them from PDP into fold. However, in my opinion any candidate can boast of having better policies than the incumbent or perhaps even saying that they better understand the plight of the Nigerian masses. But how many times have we heard these sorts of empty promises? The same peopel in opposition may find themselves in Government and perform even worst than their predecessor. And therefore Nigerians appear to always be caught in this time warp of not being sure what to expect from any of the major political parties.

In Plateau state, for instance the interim chairman Gen. John Shagaya is seen through his actions and inactions. And he has been relentlessly beaming his searchlight to identify any cracks within the PDP fold, which can be exploited. A reliable source within the party has confirmed to ViewPointNigeria’s correspondent that APC’s potential governorship candidate is Prof. Emmanuel Garba a university of Jos lecturer.

Truthfully speaking, prof. Garba is a quintessential academic guru and I have so much respect for him. However, his bane is that he is not the only person from Qu’an pan who may run for the position. In actual fact, there are several political heavy weights from that area who are lining up and jostling to take on the gubernatorial race. These incluse the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Chief Longmas Wapmuk and the incumbent deputy Governor Amb. Ignatius Longjan.

The key political question therefore is, can APC make headway in striving pulling down a massive party like PDP -with all is networks, connections and machineries? For APC to achieve this massive feat, it must strategize effective, build a strong base at the grassroots (wards and Local Governments) and manage its internal crisis, which may emanate from the merger.

by Satmak Dapar Alexander

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2015: How far can APC go? By Satmak Dapar Alexander