Can PDP Address Discontentment among Members?

BY UKPONG UKPONG

From all indications, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State is  facing one of its toughest fights to stay afloat since the party began its reign fifteen years ago. And this time, the fight is not only from opposition parties struggling to take the seat of power but it also involves aggrieved members, resisting lack of internal democracy as well as tactlessness within the system. 

In any organization, discontentment borne out of oppression works like a cancer, spreading to all parts of the system if not treated early. So, the once ruling political party has found itself struggling to keep membership because it waited for too long to address growing annoyance among members or was deliberately insensitive to their predicament. 

This is contrary to claims by the national chairman of the party, Alhaji  Adamu Mu’Azu, that “the PDP has set a standard which is yet to be surpassed in the country in terms of the transparency and integrity of its internal democratic processes”. 

A little over six weeks to the general elections and it appears the party hierarchy in the state is either unaware of the precarious situation it has found itself or is overconfident from previous victories at the polls, ignoring its probable crash. 

Looking at the last primaries, especially the governorship primary, it is clear that that party has developed tough skin touching complains against imposition of candidate on the people paying no heed to the fact that people are tired of being shoved around and told what to do or not do. 

Perhaps, the erroneous presumption that power of incumbency and unhindered access to state assets will smoothen all the rough edges and ensure victory is the reason grievances by aspirants are treated with levity. Interestingly, many of those apparently sidelined have reacted by defecting to other parties. They do so not alone, but with their supporters, which is counterproductive to PDP.
The former secretary to State Government, Obong Umana Okon Umana, for instance, recently left when it became clear that he will not be allowed to pursue his governorship ambition on the platform of PDP, a party he had contributed tremendously towards its success in past elections. Yet, all what a leader of the PDP could say to such a colossal loss was that Umana Okon Umana’s action portrays political naivety. 

If Umana is naïve for leaving an undemocratic and severely compromised party to another which welcomes his aspiration, what would be said of Bishop Samuel Akpan, a foundation member of the PDP, who left few days later out of frustration to champion Accord party? 

Same can be said of the 22 aggrieved governorship aspirants, who may decide to defect together with their supporters if their grievances are not properly addressed. Would they also be acting naïve? Perhaps their defection does not also matter as the party is capable of winning elections anytime. 

  It is important for political parties to note that whether it is very popular or not, what makes it thrive is maintaining the tenets upon which it was founded. Practice of these tenets, which ensures protection of their fundamental human rights, equal opportunity, justice and fairness, transparency, consensus and reward for loyalty and dedication, is what attracts members and keeps them nothing else.