For PDP, It is a Reset, For APC, It is a Litmus Test for the Change Mantra

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It is now fact that the 2015 Presidential is rescheduled by six weeks. The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) shifted the election dates on the basis of the advice of the security apparachik, that they cannot guarantee  the safety of the elections if held this Saturday, altering all political calculations. During the six weeks, it is expected that the multinational forces of Nigeria,  Chad, Cameroun and Niger would take on the insurgent group, Boko Haram, and flush them out of all territories they currently hold in North East states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe, to enable voting in several towns and villages currently under Boko Haram control.

For the PDP, this offers some respite to heal its internal wounds and unite to take on the unprecedented challenge from the opposition APC. PDP also has the chance to heal divisions in several of its must-win states like Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ondo, Anambra and Ebonyi states. It will also be able to consolidate inroads into Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Nassarawa.

For APC, it is a test for the staying power of the mantra called “change” and the fact that most of their support is emotion and anger driven against the Jonathan administration, and may disappear with time. After building a formidable opposition, do they have the means and resources to fight on for another six weeks? Will they wilt in the face of renewed PDP firepower? Will the papered-over cracks between the Amaechi and Tinubu factions in the  APC open up? Will Buhari be able to continue to shield questions about his apparent limitations in economic management over the next six weeks, and continue to hide his weakness on policy and a 1980’s mindset by avoiding a debate? For PDP, the ultimate risk in this postponed elections will be in the economy. With dwindling oil prices, and rising exchange rate, the economy could worsen leaving the ruling party most vulnerable.

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Source: This Day