by Abduljeleel Bashir
Stability, cohesion, and unity are some of the most important elements of a political party. The Kwara State People’s Democratic Party, especially its leader, Sen. Bukola Saraki understands this, and it is in fact, one of the lessons the party has learned post-2019.
While the party has gained a lot of ground following the 2019 defeat, it appears the party may be on its way to yet another avoidable mistake, with the Kwara Central Senatorial ticket decision.
A new name, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, former PDP National Chairman was recently thrown into the race. While Baraje is well qualified to run his aspiration which he has continued to advance in hushed tones, this will topple the metaphorical Apple cat for his people – Magaji Ngeri and the PDP by extension.
Kawu Baraje, 71, is already in the twilight of his life, his ability to withstand the rigour and intensity of the legislative business is clearly in doubt. If anything, the Buhari experience has shown us that age is an important factor in leadership selection, that even Governor El-Rufai at 62 already describes himself as too old for political office.
Legislative business is a 247 job that requires mental alertness and physical fitness. Kawu Baraje at the age of 71 is already too old for a Senatorial district that is dominated by 60% young people. The question then arises as to how Kawu-Baraje would relate with the large youth population in his senatorial district? He is already disconnected and lacks the ideas that should dominate our political conversation and rally young people at this time.
Within the PDP political family, there has been a ceaseless agitation from the people of Magaji Ngeri, where Baraje hails, for the Ilorin West/Asa House of Representatives ticket. It is impossible that the party would jettison the more than 5 candidates that have already shown interest from the ward, for a man who has not indicated his interest.
In the eyes of observers, a Baraje candidature would be described as an imposition and that would not be a good look on the party, because the electorates have become even more aware.
My advice to the PDP is never to make the mistake of a Baraje candidacy for the Kwara Central, the party must not even romance the idea. If it has in the past, it must bury such idea now.
Baraje as former PDP Chairman has already achieved the climax of his political career. At this point, he should take the seat of a statesman and offer his support to a much younger candidate within the PDP.
If the PDP is interested in reclaiming the Kwara Central Senatorial seat, then it must endorse a candidate that can energize the youth population with gusto and give the people something to hope for, Baraje at 71 is not that man. PDP must take heed.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Informant247’s editorial stance.
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