PLATEAU: No Bandwagon Effect

DIFFERENT factors and political under-currents will definitely play out in determining who wins the governorship election of Plateau State, as well as those who are going to emerge as new legislators. The result of the Presidential and National Assembly election is not likely to influence the outcome of next weekend’s polls.

If the candidates’ credentials are enough to record victory, they will not have problems at the polls. But one of them has to emerge winner.

The last elections in the state had shown that the electorate voted for personalities rather than parties. So, the result will not have any bandwagon effect come Saturday.

The contest is between two major contenders, Senator Gyang Pwajok of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The third contender, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, of the Labour Party (LP) does not have much following unlike the other two.

If the candidates’ credentials are enough to record victory, they will not have problems at the polls. But one of them has to emerge winner.

A highly disciplined young man, Pwajok is favoured to win. He is articulate and academically sound. The former lecturer has gone through all the rudiments of governance.

Lalong was the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, who refused impeachment attempts on the former Gover Joshua Dariye, despite pressure on him to do so. This courage is something many are banking to give him the edge.

The next contender, Hirse, was a minister Two in the Foreign Affairs, where he was said to have recruited many indigenes and the people are not in a hurry to forget this good gesture. Wherever the victory pendulum swings, Plateau will surely benefit from any of the tested and trusted candidates.