Politically, events in the Kwara State’s capital of Ilorin have remained calm until the frenzy similar to that which we usually experience during the preparation for the governorship or at best the presidential elections.  The beehive of activities witnessed last week and the general conduct of the rerun offa local government election which pitched the ruling party and the major opposition party in the state against each other provided the anticipated litmus test to gauge the readiness of Ilorin indigenes and indeed kwarans for the bigger task ahead come 2015. The composure and maturity on display was completely unadulterated as it was obvious that the objectives of the August 15th  swearing-in of the two separate Local government election petition tribunal by the Kwara State Judiciary to oversee to the smooth running of the LG polls had finally been achieved owing to the hullabaloos that marred the initial election plan which culminated to the postponement till further notice.  This was very much necessary to allow the warring parties time to sheath their swords to avoid a breakdown of law  and order.  

Despite the violence-free successes recorded before and after the poll, the announcement  of the result came with its usual condemnation from the opposition party – All Progressive Congress on the allegation of result falsification. This, however did not diminish the lessons therein and the accolades that should be credited to the supporters of both parties who showed great comradeship in their attempt to further entrench firmly, the roots of democracy in Kwara State. 

The LG election in Kwara State gave the newly merged party the opportunity to test its popularity amongst the people. Many pundits are of  the opinion that the competition provided by the APC will be enough threat to give the PDP a run for their money provided they avoid the mistakes of the past that usually betrays their intentions. Affirming the above assertions, the former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki  recently described the new party as “necessary national opposition party” needed for the growth of democratic structure in the country.  Saraki further advised the party  to brace up for the challenges ahead, adding that transforming from regional parties to a national party requires much sacrifice on the part of the leaders.

A look at the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic party at the national level is a pointer to the renewed strength of the opposition party, taking advantage of the internal rancor bedeviling the largest party in Africa, there seems  to be a growing confidence among the party stalwarts that the new “bride” in APC can spring surprises in the future  elections.

 That as it may, the opposition party, especially in Kwara State cannot celebrate for long, with the birth of the factional “New PDP” determined to protest the greed of a few and rescue the party from an imminent collapse, also, the cohesiveness of the State’s chapter of the party are a source of constant headache for the newly merged opposition as the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki in the state remain a major factor for the ruling party prowess both at home and at the national  level. It appears that the problems within the party leadership will have little or no effect in Kwara as  the efforts made in the past to reconcile the aggrieved parties are being frustrated by a few within the presidency . Or, how do we explain the case of an individual attempt to constitute  himself  into the National Working Committe of the party and claimed it  had endorsed the congresses without the meeting of the bodies that initiated the whole process? Moreover, several attempts have been made to institutionalize the office of the First  Lady which does not exist in the constitution thus making political pundits keen on the outcome and the successes that can be achieved by the factional PDP as opposed to the one being currently run, as a sole proprietorship.  

I can unequivocally say and admit that Kwara State is setting the pace needed to nourish the nation's democracy as APC intensify efforts to create a virile opposition that will stand the test of time. In all of these battles of the wits, it is interesting, that  the shape of things to come in the near future with these two balanced party system arrangement is one to watch out for as the youth takes the center stage; a reminiscence of the vocal supporters that characterized the defunct  NRC  Vs SDP during the pre 1993 era.  The political landscape in the state of harmony is changing for good and the citizenry is more  informed, sensitized and concerned about the actions and inactions of their political leaders. Come 2015 general elections,  the key determinants will be the party's preparedness to meet the yearnings of the teeming youth while throwing of tantrums, trading words and hollow actions just for the sake of swaying the voters will no longer be effective.

The people’s democratic party no doubt is the party to beat in the state with the arrogated incumbency power, but it cannot afford to underrate the latency of the All progressive Congress if it is to hold on to power for much longer.

Wale Bakare Writes from Lagos.