THE WATCH: UNEASY LAYS THE HEAD (A Review of the PDP Dynasty)

Hello and welcome to my first article in this column “THE WATCH”. I have been away from writing for a long time now so pardon my rustiness. I really want to thank Mr Seidu for the privilege handed out to me to be a part of this great movement on Seidu Kazeem's Blog “THISSEIDUBLOG.COM”. 

You might wonder why I choose to write on this particular topic at this time knowing there are more crucial things we could probably be talking about from the recent increase in insurgency attacks, drop in the value of our very Naira in the global currency market, the turmoil in the Legislative Arm of Government and the list of mishaps keeps growing. 

But can all this blustery issues facing our country be connected to the current higi-haga in the noble clan of the ruling party (PDP) in our nation?

You might not agree with me, but the current storm tearing through the PDP Dynasty started way back in 2011 when Dr Goodluck Jonathan the acting President then was made the Crowned Prince of the clan. These issues were just but little itches then, which due to poor handling by the dynasty chieftains has metabolized into a cancer killing the dynasty bit by bit. A popular Yoruba adage says “You trim the branch of an Iroko Tree from nursery so that when it grows big it doesn’t require of you a human being for sacrifice”.

The party under the leadership of Dr Goodluck Jonathan has gone through many phases of events most of which were ugly. During the 2011 General Elections, Gubernatorial elections were held in 26 states out of the 36 states of the federation. This was because 10 states had incumbent governors whom were still serving their 4years term.

As of May 28 2011, PDP had 23 governors but as the time I am writing this, the number has dwindled down to 20. At this point let me pick few of many events which has and is currently spelling doom for the ruling dynasty.

The Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers State Business

The genesis of the power toggle between the President and the Rivers State governor is quite unknown but the havoc it wrecked still lingers on. 

A lot had been going on beneath the calm surface till May 2013 when rumour had it that the Felix Obuah led executives of the PDP in Rivers State were making moves to impeach Governor Amaechi, this sparked a reaction between the Amaechi Loyalist and the assumed Presidential stalwarts.

The series of attack to and fro both factions reached climax in July 2013 when members of the Rivers State House of Assemblies took to physical combat which saw the Mase turned to a weapon of head destruction.

This definitely drew the attention of the APC recruitment agents as leaders of the party quickly took advantage of the situation to woo Amaechi to join forces with them and bring an end to the victimisation he was facing from the federal power.

The bomb was dropped on November 27 2013, when Gov Amaechi swapped ship to join the largest opposition party PDP had ever have, the APC. That was not the only blow that came with the package, as Amaechi carted away from the PDP dynasty 4 other Governors (Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Jigawa).

 

I will like to pen down at this point and conclude on the issue in my next article. Like I said it’s been long I wrote something down but believe me it can only get better. Hope to have you around for the next article. Please share your views using the comment box provided below.

Author: White Knigt