Politics
Major Political Parties On Verge Of Extinction – PDP Chieftain
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State and former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, has expressed fear that the major political parties in the country are on the verge of collapse.
He said the present situation with the political parties is a far cry from what obtained in 1999, when elections were won on merit as the military supervised them and allowed rules and regulation systems to operate, unlike the present, where parties no longer abide by their principles but operate on the whims and caprices of their emergent owners.
Essien raised the concern in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, when he received the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, and former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, who was in Eket to seek his support for the governorship in 2023.
Essien, a one-time House of Representatives member, described as sad the current situation where each party now has an owner, and the owner decides who does what, stressing that the country could not continue like that.
He said, “Let me use this opportunity to alert all of us that the major political parties are on the verge of collapse throughout the country. The gradual persistent erosion of political cultures in the parties since 2003 has led them to the situation they have found themselves today.
“Parties no longer abide by their principles, rules and regulations but have been allowed to operate on the whims and caprices of the emergent owners. The organs of authority, direction and coordination have become extinct.
“This is responsible for the multifarious harvest of court cases after each primary election and the calamities which often befall these parties. Political parties were not run the way they were now in 1999 when we came out to contest elections. Whoever won elections then won it on merit.
“But from 2003, few people will just sit somewhere, write names and announce. Indiscipline, disorder and outright impunity have a terminal point. This terminal point has been reached by major parties, thus enabling the small parties without structures to cause them a stir and the current panic for relevance and positions.
“There is a revolution in the offing-a spontaneous protest against the numerous wrong ways of doing things. The current situation is a call to return to the basics, and the time is now. The big parties may have to give way in 2023 for a restart of our democratic experience.”
He commended senator Akpanudoedehe for showing how politics should be played by visiting stakeholders who do not belong to his political party to inform them of his desire to contest as governor of the State in 2023.
He wished other candidates would do the same, adding, “This is good politics and the right way to play it. Politics is not supposed to be played in rigidly compartmentalised platforms devoid of the entry and exit of members.
“Once a nomination has been won within the party, the candidates are free to canvass for support across the board because if elected, you will become the Governor of the entire state and not of the political party. I commend your determination and persistence in being governor of the state since 2011.
“As a politician with a sound intellectual base, you are eminently qualified to be Governor. However, at a stage, you should consider stepping aside to be a kingmaker, playing advisory role which is most needed in the fast deteriorating democratic practice base on party politics.”
The former minister, who is the Atta of Eket, listed some outstanding developments the Eket people shall be expecting from the next administration in the state to include, the establishment of the Akwa Ibom Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commissíon, Delineation of local government area boundaries and resuscitation and development of Qua River Hotels in Eket, and establishment of a befitting low-density Housing Estate, among others.
Earlier, the governorship candidate, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, noted that he joined the NNPP platform to actualise his vision for Akwa Ibom, noting that he decided to visit Chief Essien because of his relevance in Akwa Ibom politics and as the political leader of Eket Senatorial District.
He assured that if voted into office, Akwa Ibom Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commissíon would be established without delay and appealed to
Chief Essien to support him to win in Eket.
“The PDP government has not been fair to Eket. There are a lot of votes in Eket. Vote for me, and I will complete all projects that Udom will abandon in Eket. I will empower our people to develop themselves so that we can build a peaceful state. You cannot be talking about maintaining peace when people are hungry,” he said.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.