The governorship race in Plateau was finished even before it started. How, you may ask?

Well, initially up to 14 aspirants emerged in PDP, all professing zoning, saying that power had to move to the South. At the time, everyone thought they were serious –because of the vehemence of their tone. Unfortunately, this was all an illusion –at the PDP primaries, several of these aspirants refused to step down for others who were adjudged to have better chances of winning –instead they stuck to their selfish ambitions thereby scuttling the overall fortunes of all.

The governorship race in Plateau was finished even before it started. How, you may ask?

Well, initially up to 14 aspirants emerged in PDP, all professing zoning, saying that power had to move to the South. At the time, everyone thought they were serious –because of the vehemence of their tone. Unfortunately, this was all an illusion –at the PDP primaries, several of these aspirants refused to step down for others who were adjudged to have better chances of winning –instead they stuck to their selfish ambitions thereby scuttling the overall fortunes of all.

Following the loss at the primaries, these disgruntled aspirants threatened to move over to the APC (or to work with APC). Some even went as far as negotiating with Simon Lalong to give his mandate to them –promising him lofty appointments and settlements.

Simon Lalong refused all offers, saying he prefers to lose at the polls than to give his mandate to anyone. Today, as it stands –a lot of these aspirants appear to have lost out on both sides. Not pleased with Simon Lalong for vehemently refusing to give up his mandate and also disenfranchised with the PDP for what they term “a farcical primaries”. Seeing as they have lost of both sides, where these aspirants go from here remains to be seen.

The above situation is not atypical or new in Plateau politics. This has happen several times in the past and goes to show the greed and selfishness of our politicians. How can politicians hope to win, when their votes are divided into 14? Do they not know that politics is a game of numbers? The strategy of dividing votes to win, is the oldest trick in the book and everyone, even children know this.

No politician in Plateau can feign ignorance of this fact because it has been used time and time over by the politically savvy Hausa community in Jos. In several instances, they instigate the so called indigenes to come out in numbers to vie for one elective position, whilst they present a common and unified candidate. An example is in 2007 when Bassa, Irigwe and Afizere candidates all came out to contest the Bassa/Jos North House of Reps Seat, losing to the lone candidature of Hon. Saleh Hassan.

The same selfish ambition which is playing-out before our eyes is the reason why it may be difficult for the ruling party to be upstaged in the coming elections. The dexterity in which the ruling party has been planning and executing its strategy, along with the diligence and systematic application of political tactics may prove too much for the anyone standing in opposition in the February 28th 2015 polls. The one singular fact that still plays to the favour of the opposition is the disgruntleness in the electorate (which has emanated from the squashing of the zoning arrangement) –this may give some sympathy votes. But beyond that, nothing we have seen suggests that the opposition is as organised, systematic and coordinated in their approach. They seem to still be at the very early stages of planning and ideas generation whilst their competitors are already in the end phases of strategy execution and implementation. That said, the elections are still six weeks away and there is sufficient time for key strategies to be rolled out and implemented. Time shall tell.

A ViewPointNigeria (C) Publication – 14th January 2015

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The complexity of Plateau politics -between winning and losing