The morning after PDP primary: I need answers By Saint Michael »

The declaration of Engr Wada as the winner of the recently concluded PDP primary is a rude shock to me. Based on what I heard privately and otherwise, shock is actually an under statement.

Among the few lessons I have learnt from the whole drama is that you cannot and should not believe everything politicians tell you concerning politics.

I have never shown interest in active politics as much as I did in the last last couple of weeks- not even my stint with late minister Ocholi, SAN which was more or less a professional engagement.

In the build up to the primary election, politicians said neither Engr Wada nor Abu Ibro were strong contenders because of their relationship- one way or the other- with former governor Ibrahim Idris who is believed to be a ”spent force” in KOGI politics. Engr Wada is the husband of Ibrahim Idris’ daughter while Abu Ibro, you know. Engr Wada is believed to enjoy tremendous support of his brother in-law and one Ibro’s sons, even against his own brother.

It has turned out that politicians were wrong about their assumption of the ex governors political rating: only 38 votes separated the in-law from the first son in the first and second position.

Not only did the in-law and first son of the supposedly spent politician get a total of 1,458 votes between them, each of the defeated all the other candidates put together with more than 250 votes. I must be dreaming! Has Dr Olusola Saraki reincarnated in KOGI state?

And now, that senator Dino Melaye scored 70 votes must be a joke or the 8th wonder of the world. There were over 800 delegates from Kogi west and distinguished senator was the sole aspirant from his senatorial zone. Did they actually participate in the election? I can’t shout! Can someone please wake me up? What happened to SDM’s hitherto cult following? Who and what on earth could be the excuse for this disappoint? Barrister Babatunde Irukera who came into the race only a few hours before the APC primary and clearly had no time to campaign managed to polled a total of 109 votes. Dino Melaye on the other hand went round the state. What is the psychological difference between the Okuns in APC and Okuns in PDP? Is this the beginning of the end for Melaye?

How do I conclude in all of this? Was their performance at the primary election a reflection of Wada and Abu’s personal attributes? I doubt. Was it entirely Ibro’s credit? Most likely- for Abu ibro, not exactly for Engr Wada. Does it imply that the former governor still controls the politics of Kogi state? Most likely not. And finally, can Engr Wada win the general election, I mean defeat the white lion…. No comment. I need an answer. I actually need answers.

Saint Michael is a public commentator and Analyst