By Adamu Mai-bödi
A house of cards is a structure, situation, or institution that is insubstantial, shaky, or in constant danger of collapse. Nothing can therefore depicts a house of cards as perfectly as Bauchi State PDP.
It is completely against the runs of play the way PDP members are dumping their party for the opposition APC in Bauchi State. In Nigerian political landscape, the culture has always been decamping from oppositions to ruling parties, not the other way around. As a pacesetter in Northern Nigeria’s politics, Bauchi is setting yet another new example.
The rumour going round the state is that Governor Bala Mohammed of PDP is preparing ground for decamping to the APC. This may not be just any rumour. The probability of its occurrence is very significant, especially now that the governor’s allies are abandoning his administration for a greener pastures in the APC.
It’s not out of place to recall that Bauchi State PDP was a dying breed before the massive gang up ahead of 2019 election which ensures the ouster of MA Abubakar after only one term in office. A collaboration that comprises of; the about-to-retire PDP members, aggrieved APC stalwarts and anti-party elements who hated MA Abubakar with passion. These joined forces helped governor Bala to power for their personal interest and aggrandizements.
Not too far into the journey, these power houses that made up of the joined forces started to part ways with Gov Bala, simply because they are not happy with the way he’s playing his cards and or their interests are not seem to be met. This marks the beginning of the disruption of Bauchi state house of cards (The PDP).
The first card to be withdrawn from Gov Balas administration was his political adviser, followed by the finance commissioner, the immediate past state zonal chairman of the PDP, and the Chief of Staff. This premature divorces gave the administration away as a government without focus. Along the line, some PDP members drew a battle line with the governor, because he couldn’t scratch their back in reciprocation to their roles towards his electoral victory. Even though, they didn’t officially dump the PDP, they are no longer in bed with Bala’s administration.
Speaking about dumping the party, Yakubu Dogara’s exit is one too many for Bauchi State PDP and Gov Bala in particular. His defection has sparked political crisis, with various implications that will shape both current and future political developments in Bauchi State. The most notable is the defection of PDP members loyal to the former speaker into the APC.
While the APC is getting stronger in Bauchi. Some of the antiparty elements that helped PDP’s Bala from within during the 2019 elections are now eying his seat. The same seat they helped him acquire, therefore will not support him in 2023 election, but will fight him for it instead. This further exposes the weakness of Bauchi state PDP and their not too strong permutations.
The situation of Bauchi PDP is synonymous with the death gasps of a dying man who is at the end of his tethers, The only string that holds it together is governor Bala. Now that rumour thickens about his possible defection to the APC, the nightmare worsens. Should the defection come to pass, the house of cards will be destroyed entirely. It will be a final nail on Bauchi PDP’s coffin.
Defeat may be eminent at the polls if Bala decided to remain in the PDP through 2023. Even though getting the gubernatorial ticket from the APC wouldn’t be easier for him, due to the nature of competition therein. In my opinion, his only way to avoid humiliation is to decamp to APC and fight for the ticket at all costs.
Looking at the way Bauchi political heavyweights are teaming up in the APC, 2023 battle will never be a fair one. The PDP will be like a wrestler with glassy jaws in the arena, who only needs a little smash to collapse. The forthcoming local councils elections will be a foolproof pointer to the messy fate that awaits PDP in Bauchi State.
No house of cards shall survive a storm. As Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo once said “PDP has lost its soul”. What do we call a body without a soul? – carcass!
Adamu Bello Mai-bödi writes from Gidado Bombiyo residence K/kaji Azare
