Saving the Dying Political Party; PDP

Saving the Dying Political Party; PDP

By Joy Uchejim

The mass defection of politicians from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress  (APC) in recent times is increasing exponentially. The former ruling party, in light of the defections it has been dealt with, has inadvertently sailed  into agitated waters of ranchor and uncertainties.

Some of its faithful members, instead of working to ameliorate the current situation, they have further exascerbated the crisis by fixing blames like crew members who goes after the goods in a sinking ship.

It is still a bone of contention as to what exactly could be the root of the mass defection of its members especially the insinuation that some of its leaders are trying to hijack the party structure, intimidation and the lack of fairness and equity.

For a run through of what occurred in Zamfara state, Governor Bello Matawalle officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Afterwards, three Senators notified the Senate leadership of their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Senators being the Minority Whip, Sahabi Ya’u (Zamfara North), Lawal Anka (Zamfara West), and Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North).

PDP has lost vital crew members and will lose more if the cause of the drift is not addressed promptly and holistically. The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi as well as other members of the Ebonyi State PDP executive have also stated their intentions of defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC). This drew the attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and pushed them to comtinue with fixing the blame rather than fixing the problem. A natural approach would have been to locate and attack the root cause of these defection. Rather the body has stated its intention to dissolve the PDP executive in Ebonyi State. The executives in the state, however, has refused the dissolution of the party in the state. What an open display of in-house disputes that has put the party in a political quagmire. Yet, the problem has not been diagonised.

Hypothetically, the party seems to be sailing on a coast of turbulence, peopled by crew members who go after narrow interest which will land the party in a early grave.

The question however, is what are the still faithful stakeholders of this party doing to rectify this dilemma.

Governor Wike of River State on this defection saga made a comment , “People who could not win ordinary election. The party used technicality and went to court and got victory. Now, they say they are leaving the party. Hopeless, shameless human beings. People who have no conscience.”

However, the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus who would defend the reason for the drift and wift could conjure a mechanical expression such as slamming the APC-led federal government, stating that despite the security and economic challenges plaguing the country, the Buhari administration is more focused on how to poach members from opposition parties.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  has declared that governors elected on the platform of the party are defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) due to intimidation and fear of prosecution.

The PDP Chairman in trying to fix the blame and not the problem, pushed the lapses of the party on Buhari and his administration. PDP's current entropy deepens with deficient internal democracy and the persistence of Godfatherism envious of positions. The party would have considered in-house restructuring instead of embarking on toxic expressions and passing of blames. The defectors have given several reasons for their actions ranging from  internal crisis, tyranny, to leadership failure within the PDP.

The  brutally honest comments made by Governor Wike of Rivers State may not be what is needed to assuage the defection saga. Rather his toxic  expressions will further bruise the party. PDP leaders must understand that a political party is nothing more than a vehicle politicians utilise in conveying themselves to power. However, when the vehicle gets faulty or uncomfortable abandoning it would be the resort of many. Above all, PDP should sit up because the storm is not over.