With its "Red Alert" Weekend tentatively concluded, Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party is starting its "Crunch" Fortnight Monday, 11 December 2006. Reports from around the country now indicate a mixed bag and very mixed fortunes for both candidates and party in the governorship primaries. All incumbent first-term governors, including the usurper in Oyo State, won. Just as the so-called "anointed" or "imposed" candidates scaled through, the aggrieved and disenfranchised either boycotted or are protesting loudly. Several states had either postponed or cancelled or rescheduled the primaries. The fallouts will unfold this week. So, we wait.
Presidential aspirants will be screened from Monday. This, as there are rumours that the party hierarchs are scheming for either a consensus candidate or to impose a favourite of the top man. Rumours! But you know how these things come or go.
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because this is the top prize. And many will do any and everything to clinch it.
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because the party still thinks that it controls the political scene and thus holds the key to President Obasanjo's successor. So, its leaders swing and stagger with a touch of arrogance and a hint of invincibility. Understandably.
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because several erstwhile opposition leaders (some say these were always moles/spoilsports!) have returned or defected to the ruling party, in quest for the post or some collateral consolation. And these include some really big names, legislators, and a sitting governor!
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because the party chieftains are determined to bar Nigeria's vice president from contesting...at all costs, it seems. He is one of the founding pillars and has a chunk of devoted followers in the PDP! Of course we all know about the raging battle between him and his boss...over some alleged corrupt practices. The VP has already formally declared for the race. Battle Royale is ahead.
Why "Crunch" Fortnight? Because everything be not up for grabs, yet nothing is sure.
If this process gets murky or marred (we pray not), then, the fallout will meld with that of the "Red Alert" Weekend to compound the party's simmering problems. The combination could combust its electoral prospects and political fortunes. Watch out.
Worrisome is the fact that, despite the party's spirited denials and continuous assurances, its members are spinning rumours like hell, some swearing that there is a hidden agenda! Many many times in the past, we have found that "there was no smoke without a fire". So, there.
PDP leaders should keep their word, and their honour: Be free, fair and transparent in both the screening and the primary election for the presidential slot. No more, no less!
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