Emmanuel Menseh Madaki, a PDP chieftain, explained that Governor Caleb Mutfwang helped Labour Party (LP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidates win the February 2024 National Assembly re-run elections in Plateau State because of their demonstrated capacity and competence. In the rerun, LP’s Asama Daniel won the Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency seat, while Pam Dachungyang of ADP claimed the Senate seat for Plateau North.
The PDP did not field candidates due to a Federal High Court ruling, but Madaki emphasized that Mutfwang prioritized capable leadership, supporting LP and ADP candidates without any agreements for them to defect to PDP afterward.
In the interview, Emmanuel Menseh Madaki clarified that the PDP’s decision to support Labour Party (LP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidates in the Plateau re-run elections was based on a commitment to good governance, rather than political selfishness.
He dismissed rumors about any plans for the LP and ADP candidates to switch to PDP after the election, stating that no such agreements existed.
The PDP simply wanted to back candidates with the capacity to lead effectively, despite the party being excluded from the race due to a court judgment.
“There was no alliance for the LP candidate or the ADP candidate to either after winning the election decamp or cross carpet to the PDP. All that PDP did was to demonstrate to the people that for the fact we are not going to be on the ballot or we have been excluded from participation in this election, we are going to ensure someone, or people, who have the requisite knowledge and capacity to drive home all the political knowledge and points wins this election.
“And in less than 24 hours, PDP demonstrated for the umpteenth time again that it has all the necessary powers in Plateau state to ensure that the right people win elections.
“What really transpired in the rerun election was something that has never happened anywhere else in Nigeria, because PDP wanted to demonstrate and actually prove, score a political point, especially to those other political parties that took PDP to court.
“For instance, even though the labour candidate was one of the petitioners in the general petition, that is Asama himself, but then, during the rerun, PDP decided that we needed somebody who will come from almost the same axis with the candidate whose election was actually nullified,” he said.
Madaki further explained that the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang was aware of the dangers of allowing a stronger political party to have the day. He described LP’s Asama as a lesser devil.
“And indeed, if you’re asked to choose the lesser devil, PDP decided to settle for the Labour Party, because labour party did not do any harm to the PDP.
“So, there is this synergy within the PDP, because there was actually proper consultation, and PDP decided, under the leadership of the governor, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, that for the fact that we’re not going to be on the ballot, that does not mean that we should now ruin the chances of bringing somebody who is more competent into that position. That was why the governor decided to give the marching order, and in less than 24 hours, Labour Party claimed the position,” Madaki added.