2019: Hurdles before Lalong, Useni

ISAAC SHOBAYO, examines the political landscape in Plateau State, zeroing in on the hurdles before the two frontline gubernatorial candidates, Governor Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his key challenger, Senator Jeremiah Useni, of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the governorship primaries of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State were generally regarded as peaceful and devoid of any rancour. This is unlike what used to happen in the past when such exercises often snowballed into controversies and deep animosity. The incumbent Governor Simon Lalong of the APC and Senator Jeremiah Useni of the PDP emerged without hitches. No aspirant cried foul play that would have warranted petitions.

Though Governor Lalong emerged the APC gubernatorial candidate unopposed, Nigerian Tribune learnt that there were consultations right from the ward to the senatorial levels for his endorsement. The three senatorial districts, Plateau North, Plateau Central and Plateau South, convoked stakeholders meetings at different intervals to x-ray performance of the governor in the past three years and at the end certified that he deserved another term based on his performance.

Governor Lalong’s endorsement by the three senatorial districts was followed by another endorsement by the APC elders’ council headed by Captain Joseph Din (retd). The elders announced their resolve to endorse the governor for another term in office. These gales of endorsements by various stakeholders made the party primary a mere formality. The delegates, without much ado, affirmed the choice of the governor and he grabbed the ticket without opposing voices.

From all indications governor Lalong has the full grip of the party from the ward to the state level. He is set to square it up with the candidate of the PDP, Senator Jeremiah Useni who also won the primary in a free and fair contest, defeating the likes of Senator Victor Lar, Honourable George Daika, Honourable John Bull Shekarau, Mr Sam Ponyah, Honourable Kemi Nshe, Engr. Jimmy Cheto, and Dr. Bawa Shingunum.

With the general election just around the corner, the scenario in Plateau State is looking like a two horse race between Lalong and Senator Useni. Immediately after their emergence, the two candidates started making deft political moves to win the people to their side. The PDP, which lost the election in 2015, is employing multi-pronged approaches to ensure that it returns to power in 2019. The APC is also mapping out strategies not only to win the election but to prove that its victory in 2015 was not a fluke.

Some observers have been asking why the PDP chose Senator Useni as its candidate considering his age. Findings however revealed that the 72-year-old General turned politician was picked among array of vibrant aspirants for two strategic political reasons.

He was said to have deep pocket to lubricate his campaign and perceived as the only candidate that could bankroll his campaign without depending on anybody. Some were also of the opinion that the state needed a retired military person to tame the spread of hostilities rearing its ugly head.

However his perceived bright chance is largely being threatened by the controversy trailing his choice of running mate. It was learnt that some stalwarts of the party had initially presented Mr Benedict Shinguhul as the running mate but that was later changed to Dr. James Dalok who was a director with the Industrial Training Fund before his nomination.

It was learnt that the political somersault as regards the choice of running mate caused a sharp division within the party as it was said that some prominent members of the party who were in support of Shinguhul threatened to leave the party over the development. It is also being alleged that Useni’s perceived closeness to the far North might jeopardise his chance of winning the election.

It would be recalled that Senator Useini was one time National Chairman of the apex political group in the North, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). Apart from this, being a retired military officer, he is said to be too independent minded. His opponents have been fuelling the speculation that he is not a democrat.

Though there are moves by some elders believed to be neutral, to resolve the wrangling, it is obvious that is the misgivings continue till close to the election, it might jeopardise the chance of the party making impact in 2019.

At the moment, there is relative stability in APC in Plateau State. There is no internal acrimony that could rock the boat within but the perception of people of the governance in the state is a different kettle all together. Governor Lalong in the past three years has adopted different approaches to tame the tide of crisis in the state but while the people appeared to be heaving a sigh of relief, there was a resurgence of violence, especially in the Northern senatorial zone. There has also been growing misgivings on the way the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) were being handled.

There is general insinuation in Plateau North Senatorial zone, especially among the Berom, that the governor did not give the killings in the zone adequate attention and that he did not stand by the people in the course of their travails. So the governor has a lot of convincing to do to ensure he carries the tribe along.

While some have observed that the administration in recent times has tried to put necessary machinery in motion to address the situation, those watching the trends of political events in the state believe that the government needs to do more to assuage the feelings of the people of Plateau North especially victims of the crisis.

It was also learnt that the recent local government election held in the state which was alleged to have been rigged and tagged “daylight robbery” by the opposition parties has also exposed some of the allies and political appointees of the governor as lacking strong political bases. Some observers have said that it might be dangerous for the governor to rely on such a structure to drive his 2019 project.

Further findings revealed that majority of the appointees lost their councils and the various polling units. A staunch member of APC disclosed recently that the appointees cannot be relied upon to work for the governor adding that there was pressure on the governor, and the party to raise another set of party faithful to prosecute the 2019 campaign.

Another issue that can pose a challenge to the second term aspiration of the governor is his romance with President Buhari and his constant journey to Abuja. Though the governor at different fora had claimed that his romance with Buhari has brought quite a lot of dividends to the state, but many are still of the view that he needs to be more on ground and identify with his people.

However, in recent times, the governor seems to have realized this and he is seen to be gradually adapting to the realities. His recent moves to address the plight of the IDPs and to resettle them in their various communities, aside the security arrangement being put in place, were seen as welcome development.

In the State, though many other political parties are in the governorship race, the battle right now remains largely a two horse race between the APC and the PDP. The other candidates have virtually been struggling to find their bearing. The ability of these two candidates to overcome noted challenges would determine who wins the 2019 gubernatorial election in March.