WHAT IS PDP DOING RIGHT IN NIGERIA?

People's Democratic Party (PDP) has not hid its intention to make Nigeria a mono-party state. Triumph in four consecutive presidential elections since return of democracy to the West African country in 1999 suggests the party is on course to attain its goal. Should they retain Aso-Villa in 2015, the party will match a record of five wins in a row set by US democrats in 1948 when Harry Truman got re-elected into the White house.

Such strong-hold on governance within a democratic state prompts one to seek what this party is doing right. A yoruba adage says: 'When a child falls he looks forward, but when an adult falls he looks back'. Therefore, let's look back and see if we can identify a consistent pattern in PDP's political structure. And where better to start than the beginning of the third republic, 1999.

Chief MKO Abiola died in prison the previous year 1998. He was charged with treason in 1994 declaring himself president-elect of Nigeria's supposed third republic. Many still remember his party's slogan 'SDP -- Progress' largely believed to have being victorious at 12 June 1993 presidential elections. But election was sadly annulled by the National Defence Security Council (NDSC) on 23 June 1993, hereby making the election results invalid. Incarceration and eventual death of philanthropist and business tycoon, Chief Abiola, a native of Abeokuta in Ogun state (southwest), raised tension of secession of the yorubas’. In the wake of a new democratic dispensation in 1999, office-of-the-president was unanimously zoned to the southwest in a bid to form a government of national unity.

PDP weren't going to leave anything to chance. They presented a replica of SDP's candidacy at the 1993 polls with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (southwest) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (northeast) also adopting the party's slogan 'PDP – progress'. Joint nominations from Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Peoples Party (APP), Chief Olu Falaye (southwest) and Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi (northwest) respectively, slightly missed out on this opportunity to ride on the people's emotions to lead the country.

1999 - 2003

Privatising and deregulating major sectors of the economy to create a liberal market were PDP's focus. In 2001, global system of mobile communications (GSM) was introduced to Nigeria. The citizens were beginning to communicate better. A former luxury item (mobile phone) became readily available to all who could afford it and not just the wealthy families. Businesses were improving and jobs were being created especially in telecommunications.

At end of the four-year tenure PDP put forward the same candidates Obasanjo and Abubakar to contest the 2003 presidential elections against main opposition coming from All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) - Muhammadu Buhari and late Senator Chuba Okadigbo. Nigerians would again decide to go with PDP.

2003 - 2007

The party continued its restructuring plan for the country. In 2004, it mandated banks to increase their capital base from N1 billion to N25 billion. "Banks have not played their expected role in the development of the economy because of their weak capital base. As such the decision to raise their capital base is with the aim of strengthening and consolidating the banking system" said then central bank governor, Professor Charles Soludo. The banks had to comply and the industry was set for globalisation.

2007 - 2011

Speculation that Obasanjo was seeking a third-term re-election as PDP’s presidential nominee unsettled the country. Eventually a presidential candidate emerged at PDP's convention. Umaru Yar'adua, an ex-governor and younger brother to late Shehu Yar'adua, who died a political prisoner in 1997. Umaru Yar'adua's nomination was praised by the north, who considered it their turn to rule. His opposition at the polls, Muhammadu Buhari, also a northerner was making a second appearance on ANPP's ticket alongside Atiku Abubakar who decamped from PDP after serving as vice-president to Obasanjo for two-terms.

Chosen vice-president on PDP's ticket, Goodluck Jonathan, also an ex-governor from the Niger-Delta was beginning to build a portfolio for himself as the ‘chosen one’. Moreover, his section of the country feels marginalised in governance on the executive level since the country gained independence. But this changed when PDP came out tops at the 2007 elections.

An amnesty programme was set up for militants who had taken occupation in oil producing Niger-Delta. A social activist from that region, Ken Saro-Wiwa, was hung in 1995 by the junta for protesting against environmental damage caused by activities of foreign oil companies within the region. Following his killing, many youths of the Niger-Delta would slowly adopt militancy in defence of their land and people.

Three-years into his tenure as president, Yar'adua died due to a long suffering health condition. Vice-president Jonathan had to take oath of office becoming president of the country on 6 May 2010 to see out the remaining year of their tenure. This set the tone for a Niger-Delta presidency come 2011. But arch-rivals Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) didn't share this sentiment. Instead, they chose Muhammadu Buhari as their party’s flag-bearer making his third consecutive appearance at the polls. Again, the people would elect PDP's Jonathan as president ahead of Buhari at 18 April 2011 elections.

Present day

Following his re-election, President Jonathan signed the freedom of information bill (FoI) into law 28 May 2011. Allowing Nigerians have a say in how they're governed, a voice that has been suppressed for many years.

To further PDP's goal of a free economy, President Jonathan announced on 1 January 2012 deregulation of the petroleum sector and immediately removed subsidies government pays on fuel.  The president said, ‘this will create transparency and improve competition within the oil sector’ and saved funds will be used to develop infrastructures across the country via 'Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme' creating 370,000 jobs in the process.

This announcement wasn't favoured by the people. Street protests were held by Nigerians locally and internationally in disapproval of what is perceived as further hardship for 33.9% of the population in severe poverty and another 17.8% close to the poverty threshold -- (UNDP) 2011 report. This made government detract its plan by partially deregulating the oil sector and re-adjusting SURE projects.

Protesters in front of Nigerian House - London 

However, instead of stressing their dissatisfaction towards the PDP led government by votes. The people of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Sokoto and Cross-rivers respectively reinstated PDP candidates as their state governors in large numbers ahead of candidates from other parties on the ballots. These results seem not to surprise observers, many of whom convinced PDP is doing something behind the scenes that opposition parties couldn't match.

Recently, Mr. Bamanga Tukur, while declaring his intention to vie for PDP's national chairmanship, said 'someone said to me PDP will rule forever. I said no, PDP will rule as long as it does the right thing. And I'll do the right thing as your chairman to ensure PDP continues ruling'.

What is this right thing? Is it selecting candidates according to the people's tribal sentiments? Or delivering economic reforms that benefits the people? Or is it a case of 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't'.