- *PDP: ADRIFT AND RUDDERLESS, A SHIP NAVIGATING THROUGH UNCERTAIN WATERS WITHOUT A SAILOR
- By Comrade Jude Imagwe
In the ever-evolving theatre of Nigerian politics, few narratives are as tragic and compelling as that of the *People’s Democratic Party (PDP)* , the once a mighty political machine that bestrode Nigeria like a colossus, now reduced to a vessel tossed by the tempests of internal strife, visionless leadership, and missed opportunities.
From its birth in 1998, the PDP was set out to become a national platform for inclusion, unity, and democratic values. It held power uninterrupted for 16 years, producing presidents, governors, and countless legislators. Yet today, it finds itself adrift and rudderless, as a ship without a sailor, navigating turbulent waters of political uncertainty. Likened for a Journey to Nowhere.
*The Betrayal of 2014: Cracks in the Foundation*
The PDP’s descent into chaos did not begin overnight. The seeds of today’s disarray were sown as far back as *2014* , in the build-up to the 2015 general elections. The party, deeply entrenched in power, grew complacent and dismissive of internal dissent. Several aggrieved members, including *five serving governors* and a key national figure, *former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, GCON.* , defected from the party, citing a lack of internal democracy, disrespect for party zoning arrangements, and the dominance of vested interests.
This political earthquake resulted in the birth of the new PDP bloc within the APC, which played a pivotal role in the PDP’s loss to a more unified and energized opposition in 2015. That defeat should have marked a turning point, a moment for sober reflection and urgent reforms. Instead, the leadership became locked in self-preservation, failing to diagnose the disease afflicting the soul of the party.
*2019: A Missed Opportunity for Redemption*
The 2019 elections offered a glimmer of hope. The political climate was ripe for a comeback. Nigerians, disillusioned with the APC’s performance, looked toward the PDP with cautious optimism. But that optimism quickly eroded. The presidential ticket was awarded in a manner many still considered elitist and non-inclusive. The party failed to consolidate internal support, alienating young voices and reformists eager for change.
While Atiku Abubakar emerged as the flag bearer, there was no coordinated national strategy, no broad coalition that extended beyond the elite. Internal fractures remained unresolved, and party cohesion was a myth. Once again, the PDP failed to ignite the spark of national hope.
*2023: A Tragedy of Avoidable Errors*
If 2015 was betrayal and 2019 was negligence, then _2023 was sabotage, a tragedy born of arrogance and poor judgment._ The PDP had every opportunity to build a formidable front. The public sentiment was ripe for political change. Nigerians were eager for a party that would listen, adapt, and act. But once again, the PDP fell into the trap of internal manipulation and power wrangling.
The party primaries, especially the presidential primaries, were marred by distrust, betrayal, and manipulation. A disregard for zoning principles left the party’s southern base bitter and disconnected. The outcome alienated critical regions and stakeholders, particularly the G5 governors and southern leaders who felt betrayed. Unity was sacrificed for ambition. The Wike-Atiku fall-out fractured the party in critical states, while no bridge-building efforts were sincerely pursued.
And when the dust settled, the PDP found itself fragmented, with many party loyalists either defecting, remaining indifferent, or working against the party from within. The election was lost long before the ballots were cast.
*A Ship Without a Sailor*
Today, the PDP is *no longer a movement, it is an institution in search of relevance.* The party lacks vision. It lacks direction. It lacks unifying messages. The party’s youth wing is inactive, its grassroots structures are weakened, and its communication strategy is virtually nonexistent.
The recent silence in strategic regions like Anambra, where no one has picked up the gubernatorial nomination form months before a major election, underscores a deeper crisis a lack of faith in the process and the handlers of the party’s machinery.
*A Call for Redemption or a Farewell Note?*
The PDP must ask itself: *Does it still have the will to lead, or is it contented to linger in political obscurity?*
*Rebuilding the PDP will require:*
Truthful introspection
A complete overhaul of the party leadership
The restoration of internal democracy
The empowerment of credible youth voices
Respect for zoning agreements and equitable distribution of opportunities
The time for cosmetic reconciliation is over. Without deep-rooted reforms, the PDP may continue to drift, a once-proud ship now reduced to a ghost on the waters of Nigeria’s political ocean.
It is not too late to act. But *the clock is ticking* . When tomorrow comes, Only Time shall tell.
*COMRADE Jude IMAGWE, MON*. 04/04/25
Political & Public Policy Analyst.
