Political sabotage and the rendering of PDP comatose during the 2023 presidential election in Borno, Nigeria (1), by Dr Aminu Salihu Yakudima
The 2023 general elections have come and gone and the presidential inauguration also conducted and left us with various issues to iron out. These matters are not only highly vexatious, but they also constitute an unnecessary challenge to the growth of our democracy. We are therefore compelled to tackle them in an effort to find solutions that will enhance political activities and promote compliance with the rule of law in Nigeria.
To be brutally frank for the benefit of those who are unaware and for those who are in doubt, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was deliberately rendered comatose and its victory completely sabotaged, and the painful consequence of that was the loss of the 2023 presidential election. Undoubtedly, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON and Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, the flag bearers of the party, were robbed of election funds by the few people they erroneously trusted.
The betrayal, selfishness, insincerity, and dishonesty of these untrustworthy and dangerous individuals were responsible for the election loss in Borno State on February 25, 2023, not rigging as falsely claimed and reported. The shameless sycophants are still on a mission to hide PDP’s tragic trajectory and continue to give false information. They are talking nonsense and avoiding hard facts to the national leadership, general public and the media.
Before providing empirical evidence on the electoral sabotage, siphoning and stealing of election funds, it behooves pointing out that the Borno State Chapter of the PDP had been sharply divided into two or more groups even before the elections. The party is still in disarray without any effort at reconciliation.
At the root of the problems are personality classes among party chieftains, sabotage of one another, and lack of cooperation for the common good and individual’s aspirations. In spite of this disorder, certain pretentious party leaders fabricated “facts” and clowned their way into persuading the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and Atiku Abubakar to trust their skills in election management.
However, what they had cunningly purveyed was actually a subterfuge to steal and share election money. They are just business politicians, desperately after money and nil electoral value to add. Cash and carry elements. That is exactly what they are and nothing more.
The current State party Executive Council under the authoritarian control of Alhaji Zanna Gaddama Mustapha is a total failure. Therefore, there is a serious yearning for a credible change. A historical examination of the background of the PDP’s impressive performance in previous elections, and the wise political calculations and achievements of its chieftains over the years, juxtaposed to the bad leadership style, bad policies and bad administration of the Alhaji Zanna-led executive buttresses the point.
In the 1999 general elections, PDP won many seats in both the National and State Assembly; it captured a lot of Local Government Councils, but was robbed of the governorship election through massive vote manipulations. The percentage required for the presidential election was secured by a comfortable margin compared with the total percentage and scores of other political parties in the election.
The PDP also performed creditably well in the 2011 and 2015 general elections. The internal political dynamics in the state party did not bode well for victory in 2023 as a consequence of the reasons stated above, relative to the dysfunction in structure of the party. Also, formation of inner circle of self appointed leaders, who are mere political contractors without any interest of PDP and Atiku’s ambition at heart.
The PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) definitely desired to win the 2023 general elections in the North East Zone, particularly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. Borno State was treated as a special case among them and a *whopping sum of over one billion Naira* was made available for the elections exercise. Hundred of millions in additional funds were given to some candidates especially those for the senatorial elections. Alhaji Zanna Gaddama Mustapha and the Director General (DG), Hon Kolo Bukar, also collected millions of Naira as logistics for other structures, allowances for PCC members, and support for canvassers without paying anything to anybody.
For their recklessness; agents to man polling units and collation centers were not employed, election returning officers and supervisors were not deployed either, and PCC members expected to be canvassers and coordinate affairs during the elections exercise were totally neglected and sidelined.
In the aftermath of the election loss, investigations have revealed that the template which accompanied the funds disbursement was never implemented. Instead of utilising the funds to fight for the party’s victory in the elections, the monies were diverted into the private bank accounts of unscrupulous party charlatans particularly the so called party leaders and some candidates.
In their myopic thinking and for selfish reasons, they mischievously believed that the money was for personal expenditures and exclusive right of the leaders to spend as they wished. The main objective which was to ensure the victory of the PDP and Atiku Abubakar was subordinated to the scheming and avarice of these individuals.
They were not only callous and indifferent, but have no regret over their recklessness and deliberate action to rubbish the party, and ensure Atiku’s election is not won, even when PDP and Atiku headed to the court seeking for redress over the election lost. Definitely, they will cover their faces in shame and be worried if PDP and Atiku win the case before the tribunal. Even thought, with the clear sabotage, it may be difficult to have a clue from Borno State for clear evidence that may be useful to the ongoing case before the court. It was an absolute bunkum, the recent appearance in court by one of them for testimony. What was his submission? Who will he impress with this pretense?
They fiendishly thought it was legitimate to corner such money and share it like war booty, when they all probably knew that monies allocated for campaigns and elections were public funds. Every Nigerian citizen, regardless of PDP membership status, has a right to raise questions over these stolen funds, and can file a petition against the criminality exhibited by these people. Anti-corruption Agencies in the country, on the other hand, have a responsibility to look into the matter dispassionately. Anybody doing this will be seen and regarded as a Good Samaritan, and as one who is rendering service to humanity, our country, and seeking for the pleasure of God.
Above mentioned were the core beliefs that catalysed my interest to make this report, and what had also compelled some stakeholders from Borno State to follow-up on the matter by confronting the PCC, National Working Committee (NWC) and the Presidential candidate of the party. We all have a right to demand for accountability from the state Chairman, Zanna Gaddama; the DG, Hon.Kolo Bukar and others who collected and embezzled the funds.
Again, we encourage the stakeholders to query the Chairman of PCC, Borno state, Senator Sanusi Daggash about his lukewarm response to these nonsensical arrangements and his weakness of leadership. This was not the first time Sanusi will stood down and allowed himself to be compromised for reasons best known to him. He doesn’t look fantastic and too serious for good leadership. Also, Mr. Nicholas Mischeliza, former Chief of Staff to the DG, Aminu Tambuwal must be investigated for his not assigned role of facilitation with the sole aim of personal aggrandizement.
Everyone in the PDP, not necessarily from Borno State alone, should join in a meaningful and progressive crusade like this one to put an end to the anti-democratic tendencies, corruption, sabotage and impunity of politicians and non-politicians alike so Nigerian democracy may survive.
The second part of my report, coming soon, will detail the exact amount budgeted and released for the elections exercise in Borno state, how the money was stolen and illegally shared, and the list of the beneficiaries. The members of the illegally appointed kangaroo committee who had been involved in the collection, appropriation and disbursement of the funds, will also be disclosed. Why and how their actions left an infamous indelible mark in the annals of the political history of Borno State and Nigeria in general shall be revealed.
God save Nigeria.
Dr Aminu Yakudima is a columnist and writes from Abuja.
