By Nora Inwang-abasi
Taunting, whether in public or closet, trails the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State.
Things are no longer the same for the party which has been holding sway in the State since the return to civil governance in1999 – producing three Governors – Arc Obong Victor Attah, Obong (Barr.) Godswill Akpabio and the incumbent, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
Glaringly, the PDP is facing intense against it by its officials and members, while the new party in the state, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) is becoming the beneficiary as decampees keep swelling its ranks.
Again, PDP’s public rating has also dropped drastically. No thanks to the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel, whose seven year’s reign has been adjudged to have performed abysmally on grounds of failing to impact on the lives of the people and littering the state with several abandoned projects.
The administration’s reported success in industrialization is rather self-centred as the projects are 99% sited in Awa, the governor’s hometown in ONNA Local Government Area.
With its loosening grip due to recent political developments in the state, the PDP, once touted as a ‘religion’ in Akwa Ibom has become a paper tiger. The political whirlwind has ravaged the PDP; throwing its doors wide open for mass defections of its formidable members in the 31 Local Government Areas as well as the State Executive Council.
Pundits are quick to point out that the state PDP is still in deep shock with the negative developments – which points towards its impending failure in the forthcoming 2023 general elections. As it is, the leadership of the party can hardly believe that their imposition of candidates, particularly foisting an unpopular Governorship flagbearer, could turn out to be disastrous as being witnessed, presently. Their insensitivity has made the party to wither like a flower that was once cherished and sought after.
The crack in the party started few months ago, when a popular politician, who is so much loved by the people, in the person of Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) defected to Young Progressives Party (YPP), to actualize the dream of majority of Akwa Ibomites who wants him to vie for the Governorship of the State come 2023.
As an anointed leader from God, Senator Albert’s defection firmly laid the foundation for several hundreds of thousands to quit the PDP and pitched their tent in YPP. The groundswell of defection has not stopped. It has become a daily affair, with many others, reportedly bidding time with PDP until next year before general elections to cross over to YPP!
OBA’s emergence as the YPP’s Governorship candidate has garnered rapid popularity in all the nooks and crannies across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State within a twinkle of an eye. Today, PDP has been thrown into disarray, as it battles to stem the tide of defection to no avail.
At every gathering now, it is YPP that is dominant in all discussions. YPP has become the new party for the state. OBA’s governance from next year, when he assumes the mantle of leadership, is expected to change the fortunes of the people. The Udom Emmanuel led administration has induced unimaginable poverty in the state that a break and fresh air is so much desired by the people.
Misery rocks the entire state. The present administration has made lives unbearable for the citizens. Unpaid pension and gratuities have triggered many deaths in the state. Families and Next of kin of late primary school teachers have staged protests upon protests, with the government remaining rather unperturbed.
Some PDP arrowheads had hitherto thumbed their chest that no party could uproot them in Akwa Ibom State. But surprisingly, YPP berthed the political shore of Akwa Ibom against their imagination, which goes to prove that PDP is dead in Akwa Ibom. As the scripture says, when “…the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” (Matthew 5:13).
The masses have determined to queue behind a credible party which is ready to open its doors and accommodate everyone; not a party that would sideline others and only focusing on their families alone. They prefer a party for the masses – one that will pay attention to the needs of the people.
The era of fooling the citizens with fake promises thereby imposing a candidate has passed. Now, the people are ever ready to flush out PDP and their selfish and greedy leaders with their votes in 2023.
The electorates in Akwa Ibom State are so conscious with their decisions against the PDP in 2023, not minding the activities of the hawks in PDP and their misguided supporters, lured with peanuts to mortgage their conscience against their future. Clearly, majority of the people have thrown their weight in support of YPP, and its gubernatorial candidate, Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert in 2023. That decision is fruit yielding.
It could be recalled that, when it was reported that OBA would defect to YPP; PDP mocked the decision that the party is new, unpopular and without structure. Today, YPP has turned out to be their nightmare, making them to tremble. YPP is blooming like the prophecy in Isaiah 60:22: “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.”
While PDP is livid with fear, YPP is consolidating in preparation to rule Akwa Ibom in 2023.
