IS KWARA POLITICAL STRUCTURE STRONGER? By Sadiq Abdulrahaman

Nigeria for a long time have been running a one dominant party system; at a point at the earliest stage of Nigeria’s democracy, there were only two opposition states, while others are ruled by Peoples Democratic Party. Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction in PDP leadership, but interestingly, the party remains at the hem of affairs. However, at the 2011 elections, the growth of opposition politics became more evident in Nigeria as PDP lost more states to various opposition parties- CAN taking over 5 of 6 South West states, LP, APGA and CPC also took hold of some states in the South West, East and Northern Nigeria respectively.

Further challenges followed the election of Mr. Jonathan Goodluck, the presidential candidate of PDP; insecurity, hike in fuel price, inflation, disrespect for the rule of law among others accompanied the administration. This has inflated Nigerians’ discomfort, therefore the need for another political party that would lead a better government. Unfortunately, the party itself started having internal crisis which rocked it consistently till important members of the party like Senator Bukola Saraki, Governor Rotimi Amaechi among others defected to All Progressive Party, a merger political party which has been described as the strongest opposition party in Africa.

The fallout of these political icons from PDP to APC raised the hope of Nigerians and further establishes in them that a new Nigeria is possible. No doubt, PDP might be losing the battle already. From political analysis, the weight pulled by defected politicians is sufficient to put an end to PDP’s rule. However, the fate of PDP lies in the hands of Nigerians who will decide whether to vote them or not. On a broad note, as the defection has been gripped with joy of change, some have expressed fear in the merger party-APC. More concentration is set on the presumed leader of the defectors’, Senator Bukola Saraki. 

At previous rallies held by the PDP in Kwara, they have issue statement threatening the leadership of Bukola Saraki in Kwara, and that the PDP will take over Kwara.

In an update spotted on Facebook, Rotimi Ogungbola wrote “Somethings appear unattainable until they happen; this explains why the change course is inevitable in life, change is no respecter of persons or position, it blows so strong and bring about the unimaginable. Prior to the defection of the Kwara state political structure from the crisis ridden PDP to APC; nobody would have believed that there can be a united and progressive relationship between former opposition politician in Kwara, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the ruling structure in Kwara...but the course of change is stronger than man himself...often I have asked myself, what does this signifies for Kwara? Well, no doubt, this has heightened the strength of Kwara's political structure and in a big way,it has reduced the opposition's existence to the pages of newspaper...Core opposition community like Offa, Oro among others are strongly united into the government..” this truly sends a strong signal. 

Kwara PDP has been dreaming of taking over Kwara but this is impossible. Elections are won with structures not noise or political propaganda on the media; Senator Bukola Saraki’s political structure in Kwara is waxing stronger with the defection to APC which appears as the strongest ever. It will be impossible for the nocturnal politicians in PDP to take over Kwara; the political alliance of the ruling party in Kwara is too strong to be defeated.

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