After more than two years in political limbo, some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who constituted themselves into an opposition forum in Akwa Ibom State, have staged a comeback in a move that is aptly described as ëThe return of the fugitives,í writes ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK
The gubernatorial election which was conducted in 2015 had long been decided with winners and losers emerging from the various political parties that fielded candidates in the polls.
Although it is often said that there are no permanent enemies in politics but permanent interest, the case was somehow different in Akwa Ibom State.
Soon after the gubernatorial primaries, those who lost out took their grievances to the leadership of the PDP in Abuja where they spent “40 days and 40 nights” saying they were in the wilderness seeking the intervention of the “Supreme Being” but sadly it was to no avail.
Since then, they had kept a distance from the party, claiming that they were done with the party that they would have nothing to do with PDP again.
For instance, while former Senator Helen Esuene defected to the Labour Party and obtained the party’s nomination as its standard bearer, former deputy chairman of the PDP in the state, Samuel Akpan became the gubernatorial candidate of the Accord Party in the 2015 elections.
While a number of the group went to the APC some others remained within the PDP. But with the appointment of one of their members, Nsima Ekere, former deputy governor as the managing director designate of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), things have not been the same again within the forum.
As it is widely anticipated that the new managing director of the NDDC is likely to be interested in running for the office of the governor in 2019, some members of the group have retraced their steps after meeting with Governor Udom Emmanuel and have pledged their support to the governor as the leader of the party in the state.
But surprisingly, a crack seemed to have appeared on the walls of the ‘opposition group’ as eight out of the 22 members have not only held a meeting with Governor Emmanuel, but have also pledged their solidarity to the party and to work for the progress of the party in the state.
Speaking while receiving the fugitive members who had earlier in 2014 spent more than 40 days in Abuja seeking audience with former leadership of the party all to no avail, Emmanuel commended them for their decision to place the interest of the state above other considerations.
The governor, who expressed delight over their loyalty to the party, said: “Their refusal to defect to other political parties was an indication of their unalloyed commitment and belief in the ideals of PDP.”
He lauded the G-22 members for their resilience and perseverance throughout the period they were in the political wilderness.
Ekpenyong Ntekim, a former attorney-general and commissioner for Justice in the state, while declaring their solidarity to the governor and his administration, stated that it was not possible for all the “aspirants to emerge as governor and that good reasoning provides that they rally round Governor Emmanuel to enable him succeed.”
He added that the breakfast meeting afforded the G-22 members the opportunity to deliberate on issues particularly the welfare of the state. Ntekim attributed Emmanuel’s emergence as the governor to the grace of God, saying that the governor has provided quality leadership for Akwa Ibom people who elected him into the office and assured of their maximum cooperation and input that would aid in the development of the state.
The special adviser to the governor on political and legislative affairs, Anietie Etuk, said the G-22 members have demonstrated that politics could still be played without bitterness and saluted them for their display of statesmanship.
According to him, PDP will continue to wax stronger, adding that the party has “opened its arms to accommodate every individual with genuine interest for the party.”
The G-22 members on the visit were Assam Assam (SAN), Okpolupm Etteh, a former lawmaker, Chris Abasi Eyo, Ita Umo Udoh, Samuel Udonsak, Effiong Usin, among others.
Peter Esuh, a university lecturer and former member of the forum, said members join any party of their choice, adding that the forum is not a political party.
“G-22 is not a political party but a principled ideological group designed to push the state forward in the right direction and contribute to national discourse and national development
“It is made up of people from different political parties; those who met the governor are those of PDP extraction in G-22.
“Members are free to belong to any political party and that is in line with the constitution on freedom of association,” he said.
Observers say that the development is an indication that PDP as a party is now ready to reconcile with its aggrieved members.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK
