Despite the bold claims by the Akwa Ibom Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it remains “unshaken” following Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the reality on the ground tells a different story. The PDP in Akwa Ibom is now a shadow of its former self. The once mighty castle with the current wave of defections ignited by governor Eno has beed reduced to a fallow, crumbling structure devoid of life and vitality. The exodus of members, coupled with the loss of government funding, has left the party with a very uncertain future.
Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the APC was not just a symbolic blow; it was a seismic shift that exposed the fragility of the PDP in Akwa Ibom. For years, the PDP thrived as the dominant political force in the state, buoyed by its access to state resources and the loyalty of its members. However, with the governor’s defection and the subsequent mass movement of members into APC, the PDP is now an empty shell equivalent to a toy lion that neither roars nor devours.
What remains of the PDP in Akwa Ibom is a small clique of former power brokers who are unwilling to reinvent themselves. Out of pride, these individuals cling to the illusion of relevance, hiding under a “deceptive canopy” of subjective integrity and outdated ideologies. Rather than adapting to the new political realities, they sit in denial, hoping to rekindle a fire that has long gone out.
The lack of funding from the government is one factor that will hasten the obituary of the party. Without the financial resources to sustain its activities or mobilize its members, the PDP in Akwa Ibom will slip into life support. Party offices that once buzzed with activity are now eerily quiet, with a dwindling number of loyalists attempting to keep the lights on. The party’s structure, which its spokesperson Edwin Ebiese claims is “100% intact,” is little more than a façade, masking the internal decay and disillusionment that have overtaken the organization.
The defection of Governor Umo Eno has opened the floodgates for other prominent PDP members to follow suit. The allure of aligning with the ruling APC, which now controls both the federal and state governments, has proven too tempting for many. The APC’s narrative of change and development resonates with the people, leaving the PDP scrambling to retain its few remaining members. The once-bubbling castle of the PDP now lies deserted, a stark contrast to its heyday of power and influence.
The PDP’s insistence that it remains “unshaken” is not just wishful thinking, it is a desperate and dishonest attempt to mask the harsh reality of its decline. The party’s efforts to project internal cohesion through “strategic recalibrations” and “stakeholder consultations” ring hollow in the face of the mass defections and the clear momentum shift toward the APC.
As the APC continues to consolidate power in Akwa Ibom, the PDP’s relevance will only diminish further. Without the cloak of power and government funding to sustain it, the PDP will remain a party of a few angry, disillusioned men. Its roar has faded, and its claws have been clipped.
The fall of the PDP in Akwa Ibom is a sad tale of how complacency, pride, and an inability to adapt can lead to political irrelevance. For the PDP, the dream of reclaiming its former glory is over. What is left is the slow, inevitable march toward obscurity.
