PDP’s presence diminishes in North Central - 10th NASS

 

The 2023 general election in Nigeria has caused a significant political upheaval, particularly in the North Central region, where a wave of change swept aside many political heavyweights. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the most affected party in the region, as all of its incumbent senators, except Abba Moro from Benue South, lost their bids for re-election.

The North Central region, comprising six states - Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) - holds a considerable number of Senate seats, totaling 19 senators. Prior to the 2023 election, the Senate representation from the region was dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in some states, while the PDP held its ground in others.

The pre-2023 election Senate composition in the North Central region was as follows: Niger - APC (3); Kogi - APC (3); Plateau - APC (2), PDP (1); Kwara - APC (3); Nasarawa - APC (3); Benue - PDP (3); and FCT - PDP (1).

However, the political landscape in the North Central region underwent a significant transformation after the 2023 election. Apart from Abba Moro, all incumbent PDP senators lost their re-election bids. Consequently, the Senate representation from the region for the 10th Assembly stands as follows: Benue - PDP (1), APC (2); Kogi - APC (3); Nasarawa - SDP (2), PDP (1); Plateau - PDP (2), APC (1); FCT - Labour Party (1); Kwara - APC (3); Niger - APC (2), PDP (1).

With this new composition, the PDP finds itself in the minority within the North Central region's Senate representation for the 10th Assembly. The APC holds the majority with 11 senators, while the PDP has 5 senators. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has 2 senators, and the Labour Party has 1 senator.

Interestingly, since its formation in 1998, the North Central region has produced six out of the 14 PDP chairmen so far.

The diminished presence of the PDP in the North Central region's Senate representation raises questions about the party's future strategy and its ability to influence legislative decisions effectively in the region. To regain prominence in subsequent elections, it will be crucial for the party to regroup and rebuild its support base.

Edwin Onuh, a prominent member of the PDP from Benue State, expressed deep concern over the party's dwindling fortunes not only in the North Central region but across Nigeria as a whole. Onuh sees the outcome of the 2023 general election as a sign of the PDP's demise in the country. He emphasizes the urgent need for the party to regroup and strategize if it wishes to survive.

According to Onuh, the PDP is currently in a state of coma and requires immediate attention, similar to a patient in the political intensive care unit. He stresses the necessity of addressing the party's internal challenges before it succumbs to a final demise.

Another PDP member, Sunday Okechuku from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), echoes Onuh's sentiments and attributes the party's electoral losses in Abuja during the last election to what he refers to as the "Peter Obi - 'Obidients' tsunami" that swept across the country. Okechuku believes that the PDP needs to address its internal divisions and reevaluate its strategies to reverse its declining fortunes.

The PDP's position in the 10th Assembly in the North Central region will require strategic planning, effective leadership, and the ability to work across party lines to achieve positive outcomes for the region. It remains to be seen how the party will navigate these challenges and rebuild its political influence in the region in the coming years.