It is becoming a battle of titans in the race for the position of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party begins its congresses today, writes KUNLE ODEREMI.

The date, February 25, 2012,  may appear a bit far away, yet some leaders of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) are not leaving anything to chance over their ambition to become the party’s next National Chairman.

They have stepped up their campaigns, which has largely been at the level of consultations and discussions with influential caucuses within the party. Having totally thrown their hats in the rings, they have deployed every lawful means to sell, as it were, their pedigree and credentials to necessary quarters ahead February 25.

From all indications, all of them appear to possess the prerequisite to take the party to what they themselves have described as the next level. Most of them are coming with a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors, spanning more than four decades in some cases.

According to some observers, if their individual cognate experience should be  the sole determinant of who wears the crown, then PDP could be heading for the rocks this time round. Beyond experience there are other extraneous factors and guidelines expressly stated in the constitution of the party including other ethos that might influence the final ‘election’ of the national chairman of the party.

Some of the other unspoken but highly decisive factors could include the disposition of President Goodluck Jonathan to each of the current fairly large number of contenders, who all hail from the North-East zone. Governors from PDP controlled states will no doubt use the opportunity to assert their authority given their numerical strength, coupled with influence during major intra-party elections such as the PDP National Convention. They possess the ace on those who become delegates, particularly because of the issue of logistics. They have always used such factors to an enormous advantage at crucial times, including during party primaries to determine PDP’s presidential ticket.

So far, some of the contestants for the chairmanship position are Ambassador Idris Waziri, who hails from Taraba State; the former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu; his former counterpart in Gombe State, Alhaji Danjuma Goje and a former Minister of Defence, Alhaji Shettima Mustafa.

Also in the race are the former Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),  Architect Ibrahim Bunu; former Minister of State for Power and Steel,  Malam Murtala Aliyu, while the ambition of the incumbent National Secretary of PDP, Professor Rufai Alkali remains in the  realm of speculation.

Already, some of the contestants have been moving around the country trying to enlist the support of other major stakeholders in the party for their ambitions. Their main target has also included members of the National Assembly, especially the PDP caucus in the Senate and the House of Representatives. They have also gone to other geo-political zones, apart from the North-East,  to solicit the support of PDP leaders such as those that appear to enjoy considerable influence among PDP members in different areas. For instance, Ibrahim Birma, also a contestant, is believed to have visited the South-West, where PDP was in control until it suffered a major ‘electoral’ shock not too long ago.

The campaigns of the contestants have succeeded in crystallizing the key issues at the heart of challenges facing PDP.  They have helped a few of them in further appreciating the challenges that lie ahead if any of them is elected into the prime position. Some of the issues that have come to the front burners include debates over internal democracy, internal conflicts arising from the choice of candidates, reconciliation, plans for the future and collaboration with elected public and appointed officials to accelerate the pace of the delivery of democratic gains to the people.  Thus, the contestants have been utilising every opportunity available to them to state their mission and vision if given the chance to lead PDP.  The profiles of a few of them, including the following names lend credence to an envisaged February 25 epic battle:

Dr. Hassan Adamu
Born in Yola, the Adamawa State capital in 1940, Adamu is regarded by his associates as a man with the Midas touch. He is a former president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria [MAN] and served as the Chairman of the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NICON). His credentials also include being a former Minister of Agriculture, Steel and the Environment and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States.

Alhaji Bamangar Tukur
He is another old war horse and political titan from Adamawa State in the race. He was the governor of old Gongola State in the second republic. He was also an active player in the defunct National Republican Convention [NRC], where he fought gallantly for its presidential ticket during a two party system in the country. He has consistently combined his sprawling business empire with party politics for several decades. He has provided some clues on his ambition though some critics say the job should be left for new breeds in PDP and not for the supposed hawks. “I will unify PDP if given the chance to lead,” he recently said, stressing that the party “can only rule forever if it keeps its social contract with the people ….this is what shall form my priority as chairman because as a founding member, I clearly understand the ideals that the party was meant to achieve.”

Professor Jibril Aminu
He is one of the leading political figures that rose from the academic environment to the political arena. He left the University of Maiduguri after attaining the prestigious office of Vice Chancellor. His rising profile culminated in his appointment at different times as minister during the military era, holding portfolios as education and petroleum. He had worked assiduously to promote the federal government’s programme on nomadic education. His traducers had often mistaken his academic brilliance and intelligence quotient for arrogance, bigotry and chauvinism. But his distinguished career as a politician include serving as a three-time member of the Senate, where he presided over many key committees.

Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Birma
Aged 52, he is among the leading contestants for the coveted office, having paid his dues in the party since its inception. He served in various capacities from the state level to the national level handling very serious assignments. He also bestrides the legal profession and the business world like a colossus.  He is seen as the rallying point for political and social mobilization within PDP and the political circle as a whole. He says part of his mission is to “move PDP from being a great party to a formidable status through constructive and active engagement with all stakeholders across the country.”

Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji
He is a former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly. He was among those who led the Jonathan presidency project when many could only proclaim it in hushed tones. He parades an intimidating credential and would not hesitate to reel out how he gathered those experiences in about 40 years. He is a former Executive Secretary of Health Management Board, Director of Finance and Supplies of Governor’s office. He was also a member of the Borno State PDP Executive Committee and PDP National caucus, as well as having served as PDP North Central Zonal Congress Chairman in 2008. Some said he could rise on the crest of Mr. President to PDP national Chairmanship position in appreciation for his display of courage to tread where many had fretted. But he insists that, “I’m offering myself for scrutiny in a process that is entirely the prerogative of PDP members and stakeholders. I am humbly presenting to them my nearly 40 years experience in public service at state and federal levels.

Alhaji Gambo Lawan
He was the National Chairman of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement [GDM], one of the five parties formed by the Abacha administration. The party was involved in the theatrics that characterised the infamous project meant to pave the way for late General Sani Abacha transmuting to a civilian president.  He was also the deputy chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). He says part of his objectives is the race to foster confidence building and create a level playing field in PDP.