Emmanuel Menseh Madaki, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asserted that Governor Caleb Mutfwang played a significant role in facilitating the victories of Labour Party (LP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidates during the recent National Assembly re-run elections in the state. This support was rooted in Mutfwang’s belief in their capabilities.
In the February 2024 re-run elections, LP’s Asama Daniel secured the Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency seat, while Pam Dachungyang of ADP claimed the Senate seat for Plateau North. It’s worth noting that the PDP did not field a candidate due to a Federal High Court ruling that invalidated the party’s nomination.
In an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday, Madaki emphasized that the PDP is dedicated to promoting good governance rather than pursuing self-interest by endorsing candidates from LP and ADP.
He dismissed any rumors of party defections, clarifying that there was no pre-election agreement between the candidates and the PDP.
“There was no pact for the LP or ADP candidates to join the PDP after their victories. Our intention was to assure the public that, despite not being on the ballot or being excluded from the election, we would support individuals with the necessary expertise to win,” he explained.
Madaki further highlighted that PDP has consistently demonstrated its influence in Plateau state, ensuring that qualified candidates emerge victorious in elections.
He remarked that the events of the re-run election were unprecedented in Nigeria, as the PDP aimed to make a political statement, particularly to other parties that had challenged its position in court.
He elaborated that although Asama Daniel, the Labour candidate, was involved in the previous legal petitions, the PDP recognized the need to support a candidate from a similar area as the one whose election had been annulled.
Madaki noted that Governor Caleb Mutfwang understood the risks of allowing a more dominant political party to succeed, referring to LP’s Asama as the “lesser evil.”
“If we had to choose the lesser evil, the PDP opted for the Labour Party, as they posed no threat to us,” he stated.
He emphasized the collaborative spirit within the PDP, underscoring the importance of consultation under Mutfwang’s leadership. He concluded that even though the PDP was not contesting in the election, it was crucial to ensure that a competent candidate was elected, resulting in the Labour Party claiming victory within a day.
