by Alexander O. Onukwue

There are approximately twenty months between now and the next general elections in 2019, and Ahmed Makarfi, the now authenticated PDP Chairman, is already behind schedule.

The internal problems of the party has left it without a proper structure over the past two years, causing factions and disgruntlement amongst members, some of whom have exited to join other parties. In the two years in which it has occupied the place of the opposition, PDP has not so much as imposed any value on itself, let to talk of opposing the APC. Beside lone figures like Ayodele Fayose, Nyesom Wike, and the quips from Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode, the PDP as a party has not given the APC any tough nuts to crack.

With the major issue now settled, it can be expected that they will set about restructuring the party to make it ready for the 2019 polls. The Makarfi-led executive will now have to set a plan in place to mend the party’s weaknesses and loopholes that made it a catastrophe in the 2015 elections.

Senator Makarfi finds himself in a unique situation different from the fate of previous Chairmen of the PDP; he is the first substantive Chairman of the Party as an Opposition party. There could be advantages to this as he would not be subject to the whims of a President, as was the case under former President Goodluck Jonathan who had six Chairmen in his five years from 2010 to 2015.

Makarfi, a former Governor and Senator, is easily one of the greyer hairs in the party, perhaps only a level below the Anenihs and Jerry Ganas. He would have a greater measure of control in the affairs of the Party, and if he deems it fit to propose structural reformations in the party, there will be little meaningful resistance or manipulation from higher powers.

The interests of serving Governors, Senators, and members of the House of Representatives will obviously still guide the Party as it moves forward and aims to reclaim power from the APC. The capture of Senator Ademola Adeleke from Osun State – a traditional APC hold – will have boosted the Party’s morale.

It will be left to Makarfi and his committee to position itself and the Party properly to have a structure that continues to attract people away from other Parties and join their ranks. As the Twitter user @akaebube observed, the double-swoop of getting Adeleke and beating relegation via the Supreme Court victory means the PDP could be one “good signing” away from landing the major honours in 2019.

Editor