By Dirisu Yakubu

Like it happened in 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is again left in the lurch, following its lost of the 2019 Presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari. The party and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar are now faced with the options of either embracing the hand of fellowship extended by the winner or head to court to challenge the outcome of the exercise.

PDP South-west rally

In the build up to the elections, party stalwarts had predicted outright victory for Atiku, citing what they called President Buhari’s failure to deliver on the promises made to Nigerians in 2015. According to them, the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government of Buhari had not only failed to revive the economy, wage a successful war against corruption; the insurgency ravaging the North-East is gradually staging a comeback even into new regions where it was hitherto unknown.

Not one to scapegoat his rival for some cheap political gains, Atiku, using the power of the social media, engaged Nigerians, particularly the youths on live chats, wherein, he detailed his strategy to turn around the economy, provide jobs and make the country secured for habitation and businesses alike.

All these failed to send Atiku to Aso Rock as Buhari swept all seven states of the North-West geo-political zone, the axis with the highest number of registered voters. As predicted by some loyalists of the President before the polls, the margin of victory (3,928, 869 votes) this time outweighed that of the 2015 elections in which the then President, Goodluck Jonathan lost to Buhari.

As commentators, analysts and pundits continue to advance reasons for the electoral misfortune of the PDP; it is safe to state here that more than anything else, the party’s failure to make significant inroads into the North-West made victory for the APC a fait accompli.

Although, Atiku has chosen to seek redress in court, there is a sufficient premise for the party to feel proud of its outing at the polls and prepare for future elections. However, that future should be anchored on the shoulders of a younger Nigerian driven by passion to make governance count.

For a start, the party would be doing itself a world of good by bringing into its fold, young and energetic Presidential candidates who had a impressive showing at the recently concluded elections. The likes of Kingsley Moghalu, Tope Fasua, Omoyele Sowore to mention just a few may not have won the elections, but they have succeeded in telling the world that indeed, they were not too young to run.

As stated recently by the national chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, Dan Nwuanyanwu, opposition parties should take solace in the fact that come 2023, Nigerians would likely prefer a general shift in the leadership of the country. The PDP initiative “Generation Next,” would be a good premise to launch its re-branding effort aimed at seeking the highest office in 2023.

How the party fairs in 2023 may, to some extent, depend on its ability to win additional states in the governorship elections few days away.