Edo PDP: A Party in Downswing
In just about four years, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that was used to pilot Governor Obaseki to power after he was rejected by APC in 2020, has become as thin and scary and whitewashed as a scarecrow. The party has been slipping into political darkness like a empty haunted house, with all its core lights fading into obscurity. Its enterprising members have since left for other endeavours leaving only a handful of members who got some small inconsequential stipends from the ex high-handed governor, as well as those who hope in vain that Asue is Coming.
In Edo State then, under the effusive leadership of Chief Dan Orbih, PDP was a force that stood as an opposition should stand, holding the then APC government accountable with facts and alternative ideas. Today, the Party has lost its relevance, its core mandate, its role, its influence…the Party, has in fact, lost everything. It is now no more than a carcass ready to be disposed into the pit of history. Thanks to Obaseki, and some PDP leader who could not stand up to tell Obaseki the truth.
Like ruined empires of past ages – the Babylonian ruins, PDP is in almost total ruins. It is a matter of tattered umbrella, coupled with the unending predicament at the party headquarter. Of course, twice have they betrayed the Edo State chapter by giving tickets to aspirants not worthy. First, Obaseki got the ticket having just moved to the party, which most old members opposed. Secondly, they gave the ticket again, four years later, to Asue Ighodalo, who just came into the party then. Both actions were based on their deep pockets comparatively. On the long run, both afflicted the party with maximum damage, coupled with the fact that Obaseki’s performance in office was abysmal.
Obaseki, who arrogated to himself, the leadership of the Party, has gone into self-exile – he is now a political truant. From there, ones in a while, like someone speaking from a deep slumber, he sends press releases down through his leftover morally beaten supporters who are left hanging about waiting to recover a mandate that was never missing.
