My decision to stay on in PDP By Michael Bush
1.0 As has been her wont since 1960, our country is at the crossroads of politics. It’s worsening. There’s no ideology. There’s no morality. There’s no care. No, I take back that last one. There’s a care. Yes, most politicians have a care: pro-self; anti-people. Men and women who occupied front row seats in the heyday of Party A opt for Party B today just to feed their shifting cultivation-mania. I have no grouse about this perennial even if profound political correctness Nigeriana. I have no grouse about the same men and women and children who held high offices yesterday playing similar roles today or positioning for an encore with a different party. But, I condemn in the strongest terms possible the tendency of some of these smart Alecs to brazenly and noisily condemn their former platforms. This ingratitude should alarm all of us.
2.0 The people should not be fooled by such politicians. The people must stand up to them; otherwise their numerical strength would continue to grow in leaps and bounds as we have noticed lately. These guys don’t really care about us. I mean, why would so-called big men and senior women and political children who jump ship for more money and position have the temerity to taunt their former host so openly? Don’t they ‘have shame’? Or, they think we the people don’t see through their antics? Or could it be that they are emboldened and others encouraged to imitate because we keep quiet? Shame. APC members who defect to PDP must concentrate on their new bride. Ditto, ex-PDPists. Don’t kiss and tell; no insults. You never know tomorrow. You may re-defect!
3.0 Enter my own political journey. It has been a bumpy ride, no thanks to the People’s Democratic Party. Since joining in 2004, I have had the privilege of knowing, feeling, watching, judging and scoring the party. Peopled at the time by selfish gluttons, most of whom have now moved on, I thought the party frequently forgot its democratic nomenclature. Publicly, I wrote eloquently on that. Privately, I prayed and fasted for the party to live up to its pro-citizens mandate. It still is too early to rejoice that the steady stream of outbound defectors is answer to prayer. No matter, the hope is that PDP has learned, and would not forget, its lessons. With a little more justice and fairness to all, negotiation rather than force, plus a deliberate policy of inclusion, and fear of God by its leaders, PDP would have no good second let alone a contender nationally and continentally. It has everything it needs to overcome its former self and retake its pride of place. The 2015 tragedy complete with the aftermath which Nigerians have come to see and can now compare and contrast can and should become blessing in disguise. With the right people and strategies here and there, PDP should hit the sky flying in months, to better prepare for the golden opportunity that 2019 represents!
4.0 It is because of the foregoing that I HAVE DECIDED TO STAY ON IN THE PARTY. I shall try to push in a few ideas. As for one or two well wishers who have asterisked my decision to renew my PDP vows at this particular juncture when ‘others who are better politicians and readers of the political weather are leaving in droves’, I thank you for your love. But -and I’d never stop explaining this- I am not a politician in the strict sense of the word. So, I won’t do what politicians do. Neither would I read political weather nor leave my party. Besides, even if I say so myself, my life has always been about siding with the abandoned. I want to stay and help rebuild PDP so that when it is restored to its pretty and powerful and honeyed-milky self, deserters can run back to their puke. It will be nice to watch them eat that and their words. By the way, there have also been speculations about APC and me. For the records, I was only on loan thereto and for just a month or two; when I sought to help the man I supported for 2015th Governor. I have never held its card. That doesn’t make the party bad or small, though. I have friends and family there. I wish them well.
5.0 As I conclude, let me share some breaking news. On Thursday, the 9th at 3pm, Michael BUSH SHALL FORMALLY, PUBLICLY RENEW HIS PDP VOWS. Venue: Mini Stadium, Uruan Council Secretariat, Idu (that is, down Nwaniba Road, Uyo). I invite you, if you can. Also, by popular demand, I’ve arranged the event to accommodate everyone wishing to do this with me. Simply call up Dr. Kubiat Mbaba, 07033491614; or Deacon Christian Akpabio, 08028977974; or Prince Emmanuel Ekanem, 08023000847; or Mr. Archibong Okon, 08081771245; or Hon. Andrew Isaiah, 08028259898. One more thing: something tells me the much-awaited renaissance of this political party would start from Akwa Ibom. It remains for Chairman Paul Ekpo to rally his Exco and members behind Gov. Udom Emmanuel, Deputy Governor Moses Ekpo, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Onofiok Luke, Deputy Speaker Felicia Bassey, Sen. Bassey Albert, Chair of Chair Frank Archibong and all leaders of the party, big and small. All hands to the pump. PDP? Power. God bless Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria! …B
