By Victor Mathew Victor
The political atmosphere of Southern Kaduna has always been shaped by a contest between grassroots mobilization and elite manipulation. At the heart of this struggle is Senator Danjuma Laah, a man deeply rooted in the masses’ aspirations, yet strategically sidelined by the elite class within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). His journey, from being a formidable force in PDP to his current alignment with Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a testament to how political miscalculations and internal betrayals within the PDP have reshaped Kaduna’s power dynamics.
The Betrayal at the PDP Primaries
Senator Danjuma Laah, a proven grassroots mobilizer, faced a coordinated attack by the Southern Kaduna elite during the 2023 PDP primaries. Despite being the most senior elected official from the region, he was pushed aside when the elite chose Senator Sunday Katung over him in a collegial PDP primary.
Nevertheless, 85% of PDP grassroots supporters across Kaduna State wanted him to lead the PDP Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign Committee, but 15% of the stakeholders—driven by self-interest—resisted his appointment, despite his credibility and past successes.
The key figures in this plot—Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Isah Ashiru, Hassan Hyat, and Sunday Katung—worked together to block Laah’s influence. The core reason? Their fear of transparency and accountability regarding the 2019 campaign funds, which had already stained their credibility. If Danjuma Laah had emerged as a leader in the 2023 campaign, the PDP’s old guards would have faced exposure for their past mismanagement.
The Grassroots Rebellion Against the PDP Cabal
Senator Laah did not sit back in silence. Leveraging his deep grassroots connections, he mobilized against the same forces that denied him a third senatorial term. He strategically worked to undermine the PDP’s gubernatorial campaign, throwing his weight behind Labour Party’s (LP) Jonathan Asake, ensuring that he remained in the race despite elite pressure to step down for Isah Ashiru.
The PDP elite had underestimated the power of the grassroots, as Laah, together with other forces, secured victories for Engr. Mike Auta of the LP party in 6 out of 8 LGAs in Southern Kaduna. If Senator Danjuma Laah had been given the Labour Party (LP) ticket in 2023, the outcome might have been catastrophic for PDP in the region. However, the same elite cabal manipulated the process to favor Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, sidelining Engr. Mike Auta, whose victory was stolen.
The Silent Hand in Uba Sani’s Gubernatorial Victory
In the larger scheme, Senator Laah played a key role in crippling PDP’s gubernatorial aspirations. As PDP’s internal chaos worsened, Uba Sani, backed by APC’s financial muscle and tactical political maneuvering, capitalized on the division. The PDP’s old guards, under Makarfi’s political cult, alienated younger party members, creating further resentment within the party.
On the ground, R-PDP members, particularly in Igabi, Kaduna South, Zaria, Sabon Gari, Lere, Soba, Kaduna North, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, actively worked against Isah Ashiru, aligning with Uba Sani’s camp. This fragmentation within PDP sealed their fate, allowing Uba Sani to emerge victorious.
Danjuma Laah’s Future in the APC: The 2027 Political Onslaught
Now aligned with Governor Uba Sani and the APC, Senator Danjuma Laah is set to lead the final onslaught against PDP in 2027. The political terrain is shifting, and Laah’s influence will be crucial in delivering Southern Kaduna’s grassroots votes to the APC gubernatorial candidate. With seven APC State Assembly members and four House of Representatives members from Southern Kaduna, a formidable coalition is already forming.
Additionally, all the Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Southern Kaduna are now APC members, further solidifying the part.
Victor Mathew Victor
bobaivictor2@gmail.com