By Usman Aliyu
A combination of many reasons especially leadership tussles, unbridled ambition and coarse impositions contributed to what is clearly an anti climax for Taraba state biggest opposition party, The APC.
Earlier this year, APC was so strong it became the darling of many politicians in the state. Big wigs from every zone simply jumped out of the PDP wagon and boarded the ride to APCville. Partly out of disaffection but mostly due to attraction, many politicians flowed into the party. In the Northern zone, powerful party stalwarts called the shots, including a former Acting Governor, Sani Abubakar Danladi known as contact. In the Southern zone, a former Head of Service of the federation, Kifasi joined the party.
It was as if PDP was emptied out. For once, the fact that Taraba is PDP by birth was almost mystified. Resignations from the ruling party became an easy feature as each day saw a new drift towards the new bride, APC.
Sadly, the party didn’t just attract good will, it also pulled in some dangerous people. The attraction suddenly became toxic. And the house became choked up.
The first crisis that hit was that of its leadership. For a party no one was really keen on running, its Chairmanship became alluring. Barrister El Sudi saw the lush field and wanted to lay further low on it. It was the start of the implosion. As I write this, the matter of the exco is still before the courts.
But by far, the party finally imploded with the entry of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and the tough ways he went about harnessing its now weakened leadership. El Sudi was obviously smitten by the Bwacha’s appeal and had no plans whatsoever not to hand him the governorship ticket. The old timers kicked. When it eventually happened, it was a case of to your tent O Israel.
Today, the party and its top leadership has further emptied out into either the PDP or the upcoming NNPP. The old order, who incidentally own the party’s structures, is committed almost to a man to ensure the party is defeated at the polls. The deep division have already damaged the party’s chances. Members confidence has dwindled as they see their political investment crumbling. Above all, the fortunes of the party at the national level is now reflecting even more badly back home.
All in all, it is a party in tatters and no thanks in small measure to the ribald ambition that consumed a once promising party.
