Group questions PDP’s readiness to take over presidential power in 2023

Democratic Intelligence Group has raised critical question about the readiness of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for presidential power in 2023.

The group’s concerns were contained in a statement signed by its Director of Communication, Ali Ibrahim.

Read the full text of the statement, which is the first of a series of the group’s planned interventions below:

NDEPENDENT REPORT ON THE PDP

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– IIR-PDP-01

Will PDP Be Ready for 2023?

**The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot gamble its way to victory in 2023.  It is impossible. The party must be strategic, deliberate, sincere and bold in taking decisions. There is a path to victory. **

The PDP must apply strategy, utilise research and network with critical stakeholders: Labour, Media, Civil Society, Students, Youth and Women group to be in a good stead for the general elections.

The PDP has a chance, but it will involve high-level politicking and situational management. If the party can win in Ekiti and carry the momentum to Osun for another victory in the two off-cycle elections, the party can ride on victory waves into 2023 return.

But, the road to 2023 is equally paved with conspiracy, greed and betrayal. It is a slippery slope that requires leadership, wisdom and foresight to navigate.

Is the PDP ready?

1. Communication: How effective is the communication strategy of the PDP for 2023? It cannot be business as usual or the straight jacket approach of media and publicity. To win 2023, there must be a strategic communication plan that speaks to the general and the specific on every issue, including how to get the desired feedback. Build a good relationship with local and foreign media and CSOs.
2. The Team: There must be a special think-tank led by the National Publicity Secretary, NPS or an experienced strategist. The PDP has some huge social media players to mine but there is no coordination and strategic messaging.
3. Electoral Act: The PDP must quickly recommit to the passage of the electoral act by asking the National Assembly to review the concerns raised, pass it and retransmit it to the President for his assent. The message to the National Assembly must be clear, the bill must be passed and signed in January 2022.
4. INEC: The plan to rig the 2023 elections by the APC has started with the gradual elimination of upright, neutral and respected personnel in INEC who deserve a second term or an elevation within the system. The PDP must show more than a passing interest in what is going on in INEC. Electoral reform will not drive itself, but the sincere implementation of the much-anticipated new electoral act can only be done by honest personnel.

5. Osun/Ekiti 2022: This is where the party must apply wisdom and be very deliberate. The hand of APC is already in the PDP in the two states.

• Osun: It is obvious the popularity of Ademola Adeleke is still very high. He should be returned as the candidate. He won in 2018, but was rigged out. In 2022, the people are disenchanted, the APC is heavily polarized and there could be a pathway. The party must manage the process. APC has an incumbent.
• Ekiti: Segun Oni is the most popular aspirant in the state. He is loved by the people. PDP has a chance, but APC Gov Fayemi is plotting with some PDP insiders to compromise the party. A significant base of the APC will collapse into the PDP for the governorship election if Segun Oni gets the ticket.

Because of the strategic importance of these two off-cycle elections to the 2023 polls, the party must be deliberate in managing the process and watch out for internal betrayals.

6. Presidency-2023: The PDP must consciously gauge the mood of the nation and, if possible, conduct a survey to assess where the pendulum of power would swing. The party had demonstrated wisdom in zoning its national chairmanship to the North to buy time in making some informed decisions. The PDP must take advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari’s admittance to weakness (working less 6-hours) to field a competent candidate. Nigerians would want to seek a strong and independent President, strategic enough to serve. The APC is heavily polarised. Gov Wike is right that the PDP has an advantage and must get it right. But there are moles within

7. APC is the target: Buhari will not be on the ballot. The PDP strategy team must focus more on the APC as the party that ruined the country.

8. Poster Boys: Gov Makinde has a good external image that can help the PDP more in media campaign. Use Donald Duke, Bolaji Abdulahi and a few persons who could entice the public for strategic campaigns. Wike should continue to speak truth power and conscious of courting the North. Sen. Saraki should continue his PDP polishing strategy and issue-based discourse.

Part One…

Ali Ibrahim

Director of Communications

democraticintelligencegroup@gmail.com