The PDP Is Bouncing Back Stronger – Senator Bali Says

Senator Napoleon Bali, a retired Air Vice Marshal turned politician, in this interview with UKANDI ODEY, said the Peoples Democratic Party will soon reposition itself noting that some of the tensions in the party are simply about power struggles with different individuals want to control the structures of the Party. He provided insights into why fairness and truth are canonical to politics of justice and progress. Excerpts:

You’ve just been given another assignment to head the committee to organize the zonal convention of the PDP in North Central Nigeria. What is your success story or otherwise in Benue State? 

My success story in Benue began when the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party called me to go there as the transition chairman and organize an election. One thing I promised myself and the Almighty God was, to be fair to all.

When we arrived, there were issues – there is no doubt about that. We cannot shy away from the fact that, within our own PDP, there were some contending forces. I never knew the division was as deep as it was between former Governor Gabriel Suswam and former Governor Samuel Ortom. For whatever reasons, they had significant disagreements during the congresses, particularly the local government congresses. So, you can imagine. I went in to resolve the local government congresses and organize a state congress. Honestly, it was a big task.

So, how did you approach it?  

First of all, when I arrived, even accommodation became a political issue. If you check Benue in terms of hotels, let’s say Hotel Metropolitan. I think – I can’t remember exactly – they said it was linked to Suswam. So, the other forces didn’t want me to stay there. But I made it very clear that my security and safety, as well as that of my team members, were my priority. Most of the members were actually from Benue State – some even from within Makurdi. But about four of us were from outside the state. I insisted that we prioritize security and safety. Since it was a public place, no one could stop us from staying in the best accommodation available.

Whatever arrangements the other side tried to make for my accommodation, I rejected. I personally went to check around and secured a place. Initially, the owner seemed reluctant to accept payment. I made it clear that if they wouldn’t take payment, I would not stay there; and I had already started making alternative arrangements. Even if it meant staying in a different place, we would ensure proper security first of all.

That issue was settled, and I moved on to examine the overall situation. It was extremely violent at first – so violent that, for instance, throughout my time in the military, no one had ever threatened to attack me physically. But the situation deteriorated to that level in Benue.

Now that I had accepted this responsibility, I had two options: either to back out and be blamed for the failure, or to stand firm and fulfil my duty. I chose the latter: I stood firm and ensured that I did the right thing. All complaints that arose, I assured them, would be forwarded to Abuja. But for me, they had to allow me to organize the state congress.

The real crisis began when I eventually released the delegates and congress lists, local government by local government. That was when it turned into a free-for-all situation. But I stood my ground, making it clear that the delegates and congress lists were not generated by me. If anyone had complaints, they should take them to Abuja. That was my advice, and I assured them that was exactly what I would do.

How did you eventually manage the contending forces, and navigate to a safe conclusion of the assignment?

I tried diplomacy, engaged in a lot of discussions, and made contact with key stakeholders. Eventually, they realized I was there for serious work. Both factions, as I mentioned, wanted me to take sides; but I had made up my mind from the beginning that fairness would be my guiding principle. I had promised my Almighty God, myself, and my team members that I would be impartial – and that’s exactly what I did.

The National Working Committee later set a date for us to organize the congress. But then, venue selection became another problem because, for whatever reason, one side appeared to have the security apparatus in Benue on their side. And, why am I saying this? We secured the first venue, but the police went and sealed it off. We got a second venue, and the same thing happened. Security forces sealed it off. At that point, it became a serious challenge.

So, I contacted the headquarters and tried to speak with the Commissioner of Police, who understood my position. I don’t know who he consulted, but eventually, they allowed us to use the third venue we secured; and they provided police protection. That security presence helped us significantly. It ensured the safety of all the delegates from the various local government areas. I believe there are about 23 local government areas in Benue, and all the delegates came because they had votes to cast. Eventually, the votes were counted, Adaji emerged as the chairman of the state PDP, and I handed over to him and the other executives before leaving Benue.

When I moved back to Abuja, I submitted my report. Of course, the National Working Committee was pleased with my work. I also advised anyone with grievances to seek redress in court. Personally, I have, on many occasions, accepted court rulings, no matter how we perceive the judiciary in Nigeria. Once a judgment is passed, we must abide by it. I believe the matter is still in various courts, but I continue to encourage them to resolve their disputes because without unity in Benue State, it will be difficult for the party to regain power.

However, even within the APC in Benue, the divisions are deeper than those in the PDP. Just last week, I read in the papers that the Local Government Election Tribunal had been moved from Benue to Abuja due to security concerns.

So, I want to use this platform to appeal to PDP members in Benue to come together. By the grace of God, in 2027, the PDP will return to power in Benue, even stronger than before the APC took over.

Beyond Benue State, what is happening at the national level of the PDP? With your work in Benue, do you believe the party can endure and come out strong in 2027? 

Honestly, if I say I have 100% knowledge of what is happening at the national level, I would be deceiving myself. But I do have a fair understanding of the situation.

The party currently has an acting national chairman who has faced a lot of pressure from different factions. Normally, after an acting chairman steps in, the expectation is for the party to stabilize. However, one thing people must understand is that PDP is not just any party at the national level. It is just that every minor issue concerning the PDP is amplified by the media, making it appear as though the party is on the verge of collapse.

But regardless of what is happening, by the time we hold our national convention – whether in October, November, or December – you will see the PDP reposition itself. Some of the tensions are simply power struggles, with different individuals wanting to control the party. These figures want to dominate the party structure and influence government formation at the national level. The reality is that you cannot just step in and displace those who have been key players for years, no matter the kind of godfather you have.

At the end of the day, I can assure you that all these issues surrounding the acting chairman and other internal matters will be resolved. We lost the last election under circumstances that PDP members are not happy about. But I can tell you that the situation at the national level is not as bad as the media portrays it. I have been an insider.

When I was in Benue, I maintained close communication with the National Organizing Secretary, who shared a lot with me. The National Chairman also wished me well and provided insights. So, just wait and see – it’s only a matter of time. By the grace of God, things will unfold in a way that strengthens the party.

You have again been appointed to lead a congress organizing committee; and I know you are eager for action. Do you expect this one to be smoother or have similar challenges with the Benue assignment?

First of all, I thank Almighty God, our governor in Plateau State, and the National Working Committee for approving my appointment as chairman of the North Central Geopolitical Zone Elective Congress. The congress will be held in Jos.

We have already conducted our inaugural meeting, and I have set up subcommittees. Everyone is working. Right now, my primary focus is to ensure that the delegates list is properly handled. Those who are eligible to vote must conduct themselves in an orderly manner.

One thing many politicians need to understand is that I believe in fairness. I will not allow anyone to manipulate the process. I am not saying they will try to do so, but in the unlikely event that someone attempts to interfere, I will not accept it. The process must be fair.

By the grace of God, this time around in the North Central Geopolitical Zone, the chairmanship position – which also serves as the Vice Chairman of the National Working Committee – has already been zoned to the FCT. Most of the other positions have also been zoned. However, I have been informally briefed that there are about six or seven positions where no consensus has been reached. For those, we will proceed to an election.

We are planning very well for the congress. We will have tents, and each local government, state, and the FCT will be identified by a specific uniform colour. Only delegates authorized by the National Working Committee – not any other person – will be allowed into the venue. Delegates will be stationed under designated tents, and we will call them in to cast their votes. Once the votes are counted, we will announce the winners. It’s as simple as that.

This is a major task, involving larger states, but by the grace of God, I believe my team and I are up to the challenge. We are meeting again to assess the progress of various subcommittees and refine our strategies to ensure the success of this elective congress.

It is in everyone’s interest to make this congress a success. Remember, Plateau State is the only state in the North Central region with a PDP governor. Our goal is to capture more states in 2027, and the success of this congress will play a crucial role in determining how the party moves forward. If the congress is well conducted and its outcome is accepted by all, it will strengthen the party ahead of the general elections.

That is why I pray for Almighty God to grant me the wisdom to ensure fairness. Nothing is greater than truth and fairness – because that is what promotes justice.

Within the State PDP, if you compare this period to two or four years back, the momentum in the PDP in Plateau State was steadily increasing. But now, with the PDP in power, the momentum is dropping consistently and steadily…. 

That is a perception and I can tell you from a point of knowledge. Let me start from the Plateau Southern Senatorial Zone. We have about 1,334 units, while you sit down here in Jos and on social media….

No, no, no. No sir, we cover everywhere….

Okay, well, when you cover everywhere and then sit down on social media – but, let me ask you. When was the last time you went to Bangai? PDP is still very strong there. The only thing is that the APC has strong propaganda machinery. And you know the people behind it. They’ve been in government for eight years, so they’ve perfected who among you journalists they will talk to in order to push their narrative.

Let me tell you, for instance, the last local government elections definitely came with a lot of challenges within the PDP. Yes. But the point is that, especially with the primaries, I cannot pretend. Let the APC themselves remember when the Appeal Court struck out our case, saying we did not have a structure. In Plateau State, was the APC having a structure? No. But because of legal challenges – I can tell you, even a lot of APC members made me sponsor their legal issues. But at the end of it all, it was PDP that was punished.

What the Supreme Court said was that we have a structure. Before the local government elections, a lot of APC and other party members were ready to defect to the PDP. But because of this internal wranglings – some perceived and some real – most of them stayed back. So, the APC capitalized on that to revive themselves. But it is not true. PDP is still very strong.

What is happening is that the state government initially concentrated on massive infrastructure development in the northern part. So, of course, the central and southern parts of Plateau started asking questions. But if you go down now, the government has awarded contracts. I can tell you that from the Southern Senatorial Zone, contracts have been awarded. Some projects have even started, while others have been completed—primary school renovations, healthcare facility upgrades, and roads construction. That is a fact. Go around and see.

So, anybody telling you that PDP’s fortune is dwindling – I can only pray for Almighty God to take us to 2027. Then you will see the gap we are going to give them this time around. We defeated them while they were in government. Now that they are not in government, what do you think will happen?

If you also want us to spend more money on propaganda instead of providing Plateau people with infrastructure and other essentials that promote human capital development, we can. But will propaganda actually help the people of Plateau?

Look at agriculture, look at mining – what is this governor not doing? First of all, are you going to remove all the buses from the streets, the roads that have been rehabilitated, or the projects completed since Lalong? No. The only thing now is to maintain our objective. And that objective is to provide infrastructure, develop our people, put money in their hands, and wait. It is the people who will judge.

If today, as a journalist, you are able to sample opinions from polling units across Plateau State, going around local governments, then you can tell me what you have found.

Remember, I still have the records. When we wanted to recall some legislators, for some obvious reasons – which I will not discuss here – we were asked to hold back. But I still have those records. If APC was truly popular, why were people signing petitions for their recall?

What I did was not just collecting signatures. I ensured that people also put their thumbprints to avoid denials or manipulation. As of last year, or maybe early January, when we took stock after the New Year, we had about 291 signatures and thumbprints to recall some APC legislators who benefited from court judgments. If they were truly popular, why were people signing recall petitions?

Now, like I said, even after the local government elections, not every area was turbulent. But politicians will always disagree because of competing interests.

So, in summary, the PDP is still very strong in Plateau. And we will see, irrespective of what they are offering people. There is a difference between bringing palliatives and actual governance. Is Plateau State not part of the federal government? So, if palliatives come from the federal government, even our PDP members are supposed to benefit.

But you know how human beings behave. I don’t have the facts, but most of our people are not receiving these palliatives. That is why some of us in PDP, who have some resources, have also been buying and sharing. But remember, governance is not just about food. It is about teaching people how to fish, not just giving them fish.

You have pre-empted the last question for this session. What is your review of His Excellency’s administration? Is he actually in charge?

Absolutely, he is very much in charge! He is absolutely in charge, and there are statistics to prove it. I can give you examples. Like I said, some people who cannot see beyond their noses view this transportation initiative as if it is nothing. But it is not. How much money is involved? How much have people saved by using these Metro vehicles?

Number one, the money they have saved can be used for healthcare, school fees, or other necessities.

Look at the roads—both the ones he has constructed and the ones he has patched. Even the federal roads, regardless of who is handling them, I know for a fact that he has been lobbying for those projects. Take, for example, the Farin Gada-Bukuru road that was in terrible condition. I travelled by road about a week ago, and I saw the kind of work being done there.

Then, if you look at other projects, a lot of contracts have been awarded, including water projects. He is always meeting with his state executive council and security team, where I serve as the chairman of the Advisory Committee. He has invested significantly. What we are doing now is combining technology with personnel on the ground.

Apart from that, on the issue of reprisal attacks, he has been proactive. Unlike before, when these unfortunate incidents happened, we now step in immediately. He personally ensures that reprisal attacks do not occur. Because one thing with insecurity is that once there is a reprisal attack, there will be more reprisal attacks. And this is where he has been effective.

Now that we are enjoying this relative peace, you will see even more progress. As a governor, if you have a vision for the state, you must drive it forward. He has been doing that. But I can tell you that very soon, we will start listing these achievements one by one for people to see, especially now that we are in 2025. In the next year, primaries will be conducted, and people will take stock of what has been done.

My last discussion with him was clear: governance remains the priority; but we must also communicate our achievements to the people. These will be made public, especially for those who deliberately refuse to see them – so the evidence will be undeniable.