The PRP And Its Promising Prospects On The Plateau

 

By Sadiq Sabo

The People's Redemption Party is never an underdog political party; in actual facts, it is the oldest political party in Nigeria as at today because since its inception in the late 70s (1978), it has never experienced any dissolution except of course when it was banned by the Buhari-led junta but it resurfaced after the embargo placed on political activities was lifted. It was the reincarnation of Mallam Aminu Kano's Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU). It was a socialist party or what many people described as Jam'iyyar Talakawa (the masses party). The political party enjoyed the people's trust and support because of its pro people ideological principles and stance. Anyone in the party was considered an honest man whose only drive is to promote the lot of the people especially the downtrodden. 

However, during the return of democracy or what pundits describe as the fourth Republic, the party didn't enjoy much patronage and support largely due to the fact that politics has been bastardised and characterised by money and Godfatherism which its members frowned upon. It never undergo any metamorphosis or much factional rifts because its members were and still are upright and patriotic.

In the last couple of years, its lost glory has continued to return as it started enjoying patronage and support from seasoned politicians and professionals who have taken a plunge into politics. On the Plateau here and not surprising, because Jos, the Plateau state capital has been a strong hold of the party in the 70s and a boiling pot for political activities because of its strategic position. It was considered a no-go-area, hard to penetrate by the ruling class because of its strong presence at that time. Is history trying to repeat itself? Only time shall tell!

In the February 2022 by-election for the seat of HoR, Bassa/Jos North federal constituency, its candidate in that election, hon. Muhammad Adam Alkali otherwise known as Gwani or Dan London, polled 37,757 votes, just a little behind the purported winner of the election, hon. Musa Agah of the PDP (we are still in court to reclaim our stolen mandate), more than 10,000 votes ahead of the ruling party's candidate. And that was our first major outing under the able leadership of our state party chairman Mr Rabi'u Lawal. PRP is now a household name on the Plateau from that first outing. 

During its May 2022 primary election, the observers from the nation's electoral umpire, the independent national electoral commission INEC, the department of security services DSS and other sister agencies adjudged the exercise and credible, peaceful and rancour-free which both aspirants and party exco left happy irrespective of who lost or won. That primary election produced many credible candidates for the party. For instance, its gubernatorial candidate Comrade Luka Panpe Yakubu is a household name and an agile young man brimming with ideas and armed with the requisite expertise and knowledge to turn things around. Freshly from the polytechnic, the people's professor as he is fondly called, is abreast with the issues on the plateau and has a statewide appeal from the irish potato farmer in Bokkos, to the business man in Jos North; from the civil servant in Pankshin to the woman in Quanpan; From the university student in Panyam, Mangu to the young man in Gwol, Jos South; From the old man in Ganawuri, Riyom to the mama selling fresh vegetables in Rukuba and across the width and breadth of Plateau, he is well known, trusted and capable to deliver on the job.

As if that wasn't enough, the party has presence and structures in all the nooks and crannies of the plains of the Plateau. It has candidate in almost all the elective positions on the Plateau. Recently, a seasoned politician, a two-time member of the HoR left his party to the People's Redemption Party and talks are high to contest for the seat of senator, Plateau North senatorial District. He has the political clout, the credentials and the support, according to our permutations and calculations to take the day. Again, talks are high with aggrieved members of the two major political parties to cross carpet to the PRP. These developments is further giving the party more momentum on the Plateau and these things would create a disruption and change the order of things in the political landscape of the Plateau. Recently, a high powered delegation on a courtesy call to the second Republic politician, the nonagenarian Ambassador Yahaya Kwande spoke highly of the party and its founders, saying that, "whoever you see in PRP, he is an upright man".

As the build up to the general election in 2023 heightens, the PRP isn't just a third force but a force to reckon with and a platform poised to take power from the ruling party. It is well placed equipped with credible candidate and unrelenting party officials to tune the fortunes of the state.