APC sets up monitoring team on PDP national convention

Findings have revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is leaving no stone unturned to brighten its chances ahead of the 2019 general elections as the ruling party has set machinery in motion to monitor the activities of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it prepares for its National Convention slated for December 9 and 10, 2017.
The Daily Times reliably gathered that a crack team secretly constituted has been dispatched from the Abuja headquarters of the party to monitor each of the strong contenders for the PDP National Chairmanship position to assess their clouts and possible fallouts which the APC can latch on.
Though the espionage mission was not listed on the agenda of October 31, 2017, National Executive Council Meeting of the APC, it was gathered that members of the team were secretly selected at a nocturnal meeting held in Abuja and were given the mandate to fine-tune strategies to monitor activities within the opposition camp, starting with PDP forthcoming National Convention.
Given the fact that the PDP Convention comes ahead of APC summit billed for earlier next year, the leadership of the ruling party considers the outcome of the PDP convention, a critical factor capable of shaping or altering its own calculation for zoning of its key positions.
Of major concern to the team is the South West states where the majority of aspirants are jostling for PDP chairmanship, most especially Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states.
The APC, our findings further revealed, is banking on a possible breakdown in the PDP zoning formula should the leadership of PDP in the South West failed to agree on a consensus candidate and pave way for Uche Secondus, a formidable contender outside the zone to emerge.
In the event of the emergence of a non-South West chairman, there is likely going to be an alteration in the PDP zoning arrangement, which the APC may swiftly react to by dangling its chairmanship position before the South West to curry electoral favour from the zone.
It was also gathered that the team’s assignment goes beyond mere monitoring and waiting for the fallout of the PDP convention, but to railroad its way into identified aggrieved stakeholders who are sympathetic to the aspiration of persons whose chances are already being threatened. The focus of the team is mostly in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states.
In Oyo State, for instance, the camp of former governor Rasheed Ladoja has vowed that its arrowhead remains in the race irrespective of his being screened out by a zonal screening committee as pronounced by Chief Shuaib Oyedokun. The camp may be vulnerable to negotiation with possibly APC in protest of being screened out.
Also, the team, it was learnt is talking to another former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala to serve as the chief negotiator between the APC and his predecessor in office.
So, the APC anxiously awaits the fate of Ladoja in the race to determine its move to decimate the PDP once again in the state and scuttle the chances of Prof. Taoheed Adedoja who is considered a weak contender.
In Lagos State, supporters of Jimi Agbaje who was also said to have been screened out by the Oyedokun committee will not easily concede to Bode George, another contender from the state, thereby ready to split the vote of Lagos delegates.
It is believed that it is only an indivisible PDP that can give the ruling APC a fight for the soul of Lagos State.
One of the most prospective contenders for the PDP chairmanship position, former Governor Gbenga Daniel’s aspiration as well will be a major concern to the APC. Though he was said to be enjoying the support of some PDP governors, his presumed disqualification by the Oyedokun committee is already widening the gap between the camp of the former governor and that of Senator Buruji Kasamu in Ogun State.
Relying on the firm grip of incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun on APC machinery in the state, the APC monitoring team may have the ground softened by the governor, who is believed to know the terrain of Ogun politics better, especially in the face of rancour within the PDP.
Though there is no serious contender for the chairmanship position from Osun State, the APC team need to carefully study the leadership tussle on who controls the soul of the party in the state and the direction the Osun State chapter is taking in the PDP Chairmanship position.
The team is expected to get back to the leadership of the party to submit its findings and compare notes in preparation for APC national convention next year.