2027: Sen Bwacha Takes Over Wike Led PDP Structure in Taraba Amidst Chaos

·       His Plans For 2027 Election

The political landscape of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State appears to be undergoing a major shift as loyalists of former Senator Emmanuel Bwacha are reportedly consolidating control over the party structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development followed the controversial PDP state congress held in Taraba, which ended in confusion after two different candidates were announced as consensus chairmen of the party.

The congress, organised by a faction believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was meant to produce a new state working committee to steer the affairs of the party in Taraba.

However, the exercise quickly descended into chaos when the State Electoral Congress Committee Chairman, Barrister Clement Mue, announced Dr. Victor Falack as the consensus chairman of the party.

Moments later, the Secretary of the Electoral Congress Committee, Alhaji Useni Yerima, interrupted the proceedings and announced Alhaji Ibrahim Sale as the chairman of the party in Taraba State.

The conflicting announcements sparked protests among delegates at the venue, with many insisting that Dr. Falack was the authentic consensus candidate as earlier agreed by stakeholders and documented in the congress guidelines.

Angry party members attempted to confront the congress officials before security operatives, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force, whisked away Barrister Clement Mue from the venue to prevent him from being attacked by the crowd.

Speaking shortly after the incident, Barrister Clement Muedefended the process, saying disagreements were common in party politics.

"In party politics and congresses there must be complaints. The delegates agreed on a consensus arrangement and a harmonized list which was used for the admission of delegates into the congress. After the swearing-in, an elderly man approached me with another list, but we were dealing strictly with the list agreed upon by critical stakeholders of the PDP in Taraba," he said.

Mue further revealed that part of the arrangement involved accommodating loyalists of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha within the party structure.

"The acting caretaker chairman, Dr. Victor Falack, was in agreement with the faction loyal to Senator Bwacha and they agreed to share positions. Six members of the caretaker committee were to step aside to allow Bwacha's nominees to be accommodated. That was the agreement reached by stakeholders," he explained.

However, sources in the Falack camp said Falack was being persuaded to step down as the chairman but agreement wasn't reached.

Sources within the party told Taraba Truth and Facts that the emerging arrangement effectively gives the Bwacha political camp significant influence within the new PDP structure in the state.

Political observers believe the development could pave the way for Senator Emmanuel Bwacha to return to the PDP and pursue his governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The newspaper had earlier reported exclusively that the former senator, who represented Taraba South Senatorial District, may consider leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pursue his political ambition on another platform if the incumbent Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, eventually joins the APC.

Multiple sources disclosed that the former lawmaker has been holding a series of strategic meetings in Abuja with political allies and stakeholders, where discussions are centred on repositioning his political base ahead of the next election.

According to insiders familiar with the consultations, part of the strategy involves reaching out to disgruntled allies of Governor Kefas as well as APC members who feel sidelined within the current party structure.

One source close to the political negotiations revealed that some influential figures within the Presidency are also encouraging the former senator to contest the governorship election.

"There are strong political consultations going on. A top female politician within the Presidency has advised Senator Bwacha to contest, assuring him that what people call 'federal might' will not be deployed in Taraba during the next election. The idea is that all candidates will face the voters on equal grounds," the source said.

The source added that the political strategy involves building alliances across different power blocs within the state.

"The plan is to position Bwacha as the governorship candidate while bringing together lawmakers and political actors from strategic blocs who are not comfortable with the current arrangement in the state. You may be surprised that even some individuals close to Governor Kefas are part of the ongoing discussions," the source added.