OBA and the surge in popularity of YPP in Akwa Ibom

Things are no longer the same for the party which has been holding sway in the State since the return to civil governance in1999 – producing three Governors – Arc. Obong Victor Attah, Obong (Barr.) Godswill Akpabio and the incumbent, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Glaringly, the PDP is facing intense rejection against it by its officials and members, while the new party in the State, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) is becoming the beneficiary as defectors keep swelling its ranks.

Again, PDP’s public rating has dropped drastically. No thanks to the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel whose seven years’ reign has been adjudged abysmal on grounds of failing to impact the lives of the people and littering the State with several abandoned projects.

The administration’s reported success in industrialization is rather self-seeking as the projects are 99% sited in Awa, the Governor’s hometown in ONNA Local Government Area.

And with the ruling party losing political grip due to recent political developments, the PDP once touted as a ‘religion’ in Akwa Ibom has become a featherweight. The political whirlwind has ravaged the PDP; throwing its doors wide open for the mass defection of its formidable members in the 31 Local Government Areas as well as the State Executive Council.

Pundits are quick to point out that the PDP in the state is still in deep shock by the bizarre developments – which points toward its impending failure in the forthcoming 2023 general elections. As it is, the leadership of the party can hardly believe that their imposition of candidates, particularly foisting an unpopular governorship flagbearer, could turn out to be disastrous as being witnessed presently. Their insensitivity has made the party wither like a flower that was once cherished and sought after.

The crack in the party started a few months ago, when a popular politician, who is so much loved by the people in the person of distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) defected to the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to actualize the dream of majority of Akwa Ibomites who wants him to vie for the governorship of the State in 2023.

As an anointed leader from God, Senator Albert’s defection firmly laid the foundation for several hundreds of thousands to quit the PDP and pitch tents in YPP. The groundswell of defection has not stopped. It has become a daily affair with many others, reportedly buying time with PDP until next year before the general elections to cross over to the YPP.

OBA’s emergence as the YPP’s governorship candidate has garnered rapid popularity in all the nooks and crannies across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State within a very short period of time. Today, PDP has been thrown into disarray, as it battles to stem the tide of defection but with negligible results.

At every gathering now, it is YPP that is the dominant topic of discussion. YPP has become the new party for the State. OBA’s governance from next year when he assumes the mantle of leadership is expected to change the fortunes of the people. The Udom Emmanuel-led administration has induced unimaginable poverty in the state that a break and fresh air is so much desired by the people of the state.

Misery rocks the entire state. The present administration has made lives unbearable for the citizens. Unpaid pensions and gratuities have triggered many deaths in the State. Families and next of kin of late primary school teachers have staged protests upon protests, with the government remaining rather aloof.

Some PDP arrowheads had hitherto beat their chest that no party could uproot them in Akwa Ibom State. But surprisingly, the berth of YPP on the political shore of the state has altered this narrative, proving subtly that PDP is dead in Akwa Ibom. As the scripture writes, when “…the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” (Matthew 5:13).

The masses have determined to queue behind a credible party that is ready to open its doors and accommodate everyone rather than a party that would sideline others and only focuses on their families and cronies. They prefer a party for the masses – one that will pay attention to the needs of the people.

The era of fooling the citizens with fake promises thereby imposing a candidate has passed. Now, the people are ever ready to flush out PDP and their selfish and greedy leaders with their votes in 2023.

The electorate in Akwa Ibom State is so conscious of their decisions against the PDP in 2023, not minding the activities of the hawks in PDP and their misguided supporters, lured with peanuts to mortgage their conscience against their future. Clearly, the majority of the people have thrown their weight in support of YPP, and its gubernatorial candidate distinguished Senator Bassey Albert in 2023. That decision is fruit-yielding.

It could be recalled that when it was reported that OBA would defect to YPP, PDP mocked the decision that the party is new, unpopular, and without structure. Today, YPP has turned out to be their nightmare, making them tremble. YPP is blossoming like the prophecy in Isaiah 60:22: “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.”

While PDP is living with fear, YPP is consolidating in preparation to rule Akwa Ibom in 2023.