Adamawa: Crisis imminent in PDP as stakeholders kick against imposition

By Lawrence Olaoye

There are indications that all may not be well in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as some stakeholders in the party are battle ready to resist what they term as imposition of candidate ahead of the October 11 governorship bye-election in Adamawa state.

Impeachable source at the Wadata House headquarters of the PDP disclosed that there are threats from certain quarters that the alleged deal entered into by some leaders to ensure the emergence of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as the party’s flag bearer for the Adamawa bye election would end up in polarizing the party with fire consequences at the polls.

Although Ribadu had said that he was ready to contest the party’s primary alongside other aspirants, there are insinuations that some strongmen in the PDP had concluded arrangements to make the primary a mere formality for him.

This realization, no doubt, has made some of the aspirants, who have been on ground before Ribadu’s defection last week, resolve to be extra vigilant in order to ensure that due process is adequately followed.

Former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Barrister Ahmed Gulak, in a recent interview, told newsmen that imposition would have a disastrous effect on the chance of the party in winning the state’s guber election insisting that the least anybody could wish the people at this trying moment is for them to be allowed to choose their leader.

According to him, the bitter experience from the imposition of the impeached governor, Mutala Nyako, should deter whoever is contemplating similar idea to have a rethink.

Equally commenting on the issue at a recent press briefing, Awwal Tukur told newsmen that he was unaware of any consensus arrangement centred around Ribadu insisting that he had paid his dues as a politician and would not be part of any undemocratic agenda.

Apart from the fear of Ribadu’s imposition, some critical stakeholders have sworn to challenge the ruling party in the court of law should due process not followed in the conduct of the party primary leading to the emergence of the PDP candidate for the bye election.

A source within the party said “the provision of the constitution as regards waiver for those people who are just joining the party must be adhered to. Section 50 (9) of the PDP constitution is clear on who gets waiver to contest election. Any attempt to circumvent the PDP constitution would only result into harvests of litigations and I’m sure that the party is not ready for such now. The leadership of the party is aware of this and that explains why the NWC could not deliberate on the matter. Our leaders are seriously looking at the issue with a view to blocking all the legal loopholes.”

“But the fear that the emergence of any new entrant may degenerate into crisis which threatens the success of the PDP at the poll is real but the leadership of the party is seriously consulting on the matter,” the source disclosed.