Analysis
For political observers and analysts, it was fascinating, if not intriguing as President Jonathan and ThePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) were taken abruptly by a surprise as the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate surged in the poll. It began to appear that the APC understand the antics of political machination with a root supplanted in propaganda and physiognomy of political theater. But test of time, push back and ultra-enriched political campaign waged by PDP thwarted APC‘s momentum and revised it to a standstill.
The major turnaround for PDP started when the voting date was deferred from February 14 to March 28, 2015. The delay in voting gave a breathing space for PDP to re-just and fine tune its victory strategy and to finish the outstanding business on the ground. The main problem permeating into the tent of victory of Jonathan’s PDP was Boko Haram. The evils and naked boldness of Boko Haram have become a major problem for ruling PDP and Nigeria. It was soft spot on the soil of PDP and an issue for APC exploit and to showcase the weakness of Jonathan’s administration inability to tame the menacing force of Boko Haram.
With extension for election voting was promulgated by Jega’s INEC, the President Jonathans and military wasted no time in waging a massive warfare and push back against Boko Haram. And with a short period the story was changing and Boko Haram combatants were on the run. It was said that Nigerian military acquired more sophisticated weaponry and technical know-how that overwhelmed the Boko Haram. There were good news on the ground, most of the North east of Nigerian towns and villages occupied by Boko Haram were taken back by Nigerian military. The army has now gained their high moral intellectuality and superiority; simultaneously recovering back the famous Baga town and the surrounding villages.
President Jonathan was seen in the newspaper and electronic media doing the job of commander in chief of the armed forces. On front of news pages, President Jonathan pictured dressed in military camouflage and paying respect to military chaps at the vanguard of the warfront. Yes, Nigerians began to take another look at President Jonathan as an organized and decisive leader that takes an action with an affirmative result when he is committed to a particular operation with a resounding victorious outcome.
PDP has finally stood up to media savvy of APC and never left any accusation goes unopposed. The PDP became more aggressive in defining themselves and their opponents. Men of the hour for PDP including the flamboyant Governor Fayose and intellectually boisterous Kayode were busying doing damage to the sensibilities and swans of APC in the media and on the campaign belts.
But PDP cannot afford to sit on its laurels while counting its chickens. As Americans use to say, “It is not over until the fat lady sings.” The election is just hours away and by Sunday evening the results of the election will be out. But whatever the outcome, the political ramblings, challenges and shenanigans were a good thing and learning moment for the fledging Nigerian democracy.
Emeka Chiakwelu, Principal Policy Strategist at AFRIPOL. His works have appeared in Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes and many other important journals around the world. His writings have also been cited in many economic books, publications and many institutions of higher learning including tagteam Harvard Education. Africa Political & Economic Strategic Center (AFRIPOL) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa. info@afripol.org www.afripol.org