Three months to polls, political parties in a shaky start in Plateau

North Central Bureau Chief, ISAAC SHOBAYO, assesses Plateau State’s political parties’ readiness for the impending gubernatorial election, asking why most of them have not yet established their campaign structures.

Many people, particularly those who are politically enthusiastic, are concerned about the lack of activity in Plateau State’s political circles. The lull in the political atmosphere has been a topic of public discussion, with various connotations that are both plausible and improbable. Candidates at all levels, particularly gubernatorial candidates, are most likely still devising strategies for dealing with the epic race that lies ahead.

Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that just the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Kefas Ropshik Kefiano, have begun their campaigns by appointing respective Directors-General. Apart from the arrowhead of the Campaign Council, they are still grappling with the composition of members, particularly the APC.

Governor Mutfwang appointed Sir Joseph Ari, the former Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), as his campaign Director-General. While introducing him, the governor stated that he was chosen after extensive consultations and consensus among key APC stakeholders in Plateau State, demonstrating confidence in his leadership ability, political maturity, organisational competence, and ability to rally support across diverse constituencies.

In contrast, Kefiano appointed Honourable Christopher Hassan, the former PDP state chairman, as his campaign director general. It will be recalled that Hassan as the immediate past PDP chairman was among those who worked assiduously to ensure Mutfwang victory in 2023 on the platform of the PDP.

Political watchers and other keen observers in the state have been wondering why the APC has been dragging its feet on forming its campaign council. Aside from its arrowhead, the party has yet to bring more members on board to drive the processes.

All indications point to high expectations, and APC political leaders want an all-inclusive council that ensures their representation. Based on the current situation, the stalwarts have yet to put their differences behind them and fully embrace reconciliation. The Governor’s group, which joined the party from the PDP, and foundational members have not fully integrated and functioned as an entity. There is suspicion at a certain level that needs to be addressed.

According to an insider, aware of the existing cleavage, the party’s leadership is taking its time to ensure that the composition does not spark a crisis that could jeopardise the party’s success in the upcoming elections. As a result, the list is being reviewed, and that the list will not be released until it is perfected and has a semblance of acceptability.

Though the governor has denied the existence of a schism in the party, claiming that the party is an entity, political observers believe that the divide between the governor’s group and the legacy group has yet to be fully bridged, despite the open camaraderie that is frequently displayed in public.

A party stalwart who did not want his name printed stated that the composition is being delayed for the sake of harmony from both ends, emphasising that both the party and the governor must be meticulous to avoid lopsided appointments and to have competent people on board who can actually deliver.

Honourable Istifanus Mwansat, the governor’s Political Adviser, dismissed the notion that the list is being delayed for obvious reasons previously stated.

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He said the APC wishes to change the method of campaigning in the state, stating that rather than holding a political rally, the governor is currently consulting with all relevant stakeholders in the state before embarking on a rally across the seventeen local government areas of the state.

Despite the fact that the APC will easily win the state election, he insisted that the party does not take anything for granted and added that the party will carry on with its regular campaign and consultation.

“Contrary to rumours, we are not underwriting anyone. We have just finished our ongoing engagement with stakeholders for the Northern and Southern zones. We will begin with women, religious organisations, and the youth structure next week.

“The governor and the party are well prepared because people expect the traditional campaign process. Despite this, preparations are underway, and everyone is looking forward to the normal jamboree. We must start doing things differently; this is a different season, so our interactions with people, particularly the elite, must continue.

However, there are approximately 18 gubernatorial candidates in the state, the majority of whom have yet to fully launch their campaigns. As a result, an analyst recently stated that many of them are pretenders who will most likely end up at the postal level.

Hon. Dung Dewan, State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stated that his party has not been intimidated in any way and that the party is simply taken its time to develop a reliable campaign structure capable of taking on the incumbent APC Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, whom he described as a spent force.

“Our Campaign Council list is being finalised, and it will be unveiled next week. We are not intimidated in any way; instead, we are the ones intimidating the ruling party in this state. Though the APC has virtually all of the resources required, our people want the best for the state and cannot be bought off. They are looking for a change.

‘We are very impressed with the party’s acceptability in Plateau State and throughout the country. I can tell you that we are the ones intimidating the APC, both locally and nationally. The election will be decided on what you have to offer, not on your past achievements.” He said,

According to a source close to ADC gubernatorial candidate General John Sura (rtd), the candidate is actively campaigning, adding that town hall meetings and consultations with stakeholders and groups are more effective than rallies, which could be categorised as jamborees. “We are currently consulting and meeting people from various strata,” he stated,

At the moment, most of the political parties are not well positioned in the radar for the contest. In Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the emergence of two candidates has created uncertainty within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly among candidates contesting other elective positions under the NDC platform.

However, the crisis in the Plateau State chapter of the Nigerian Democratic Congress has worsened. The party currently has two gubernatorial candidates in the state, and they have taken their case to the High Court.

Other parties in the state are also struggling and may be unable to reconcile their differences before the next election.

In terms of the state’s 2027 gubernatorial election, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which could have given the APC a run for its resources and skillful challenge, is currently facing uncertainty due to a number of cases that could determine the party’s fate.

Kefiano, the candidate, is not a walk in the park, but he faces a difficult challenge. He has yet to establish his campaign structure, but he has been traveling throughout the state and meeting with stakeholders.

The crisis at the PDP’s highest levels seems to have diminished its political influence and strengthened the All Progressive Congress, even though the PDP is still a strong and functional party in the state.

It is also important to note that Governor Mutfwang and most of the people who provided the PDP with a lifeline have since defected to the APC. For obvious political reasons, former governor Jonah Jang, who has considerable political influence throughout the state, is hesitant to get involved.

The general perception among the APC stalwarts and party members is that the 2027 gubernatorial election is a done deal; hence, the second term of Governor Mutfwang is guaranteed. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, recently boasted at a public function that the election in his home state of Plateau had been completed at all levels, claiming that the party was in the best position to win at all levels.

However, analysts believe that the party’s sluggish approach to the election may be its undoing. One of the political observers put it succinctly: “Overconfidence kills.”

The next few weeks and months will determine how far they can go in the race. A check by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that most of their campaign state secretariats are still not fully functional, giving the impression that they are still consulting.