In this chat with News Express, former Abia State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka, traces the cause of the party’s steady decline culminating in the on-going exodus of members.

What’s your perspective on the current exodus of PDP members from the party?

I am not surprised at all with the turn of events. What you’re witnessing is symptomatic of food-is-ready politicians. Instead of rebuilding the party they destroyed, they have chosen to become mere tenants elsewhere.

How did they destroy the party?

I am sure that you have heard that PDP, Abia State was comatose as at 2010 when I was head-hunted to come and rebuild it. Without thumping my chest, it is right to say that my team and I did a good job of the assignment. My five years at the helm have been described as the golden years of the party. I returned the party to its winning ways. During my time, party affairs were conducted from the party secretariat and party members had a say but the moment I left office after completing my five years as State Chairman, all that changed.

Party officials, after my exit, lost control. They started taking instructions from a few government officials, who weaponized the party against perceived enemies within the party. They sat in Umuahia and decided who would be an officer of the party at the ward level. As if that was not enough, the three Senatorial Structure of the State became non-existent in their minds and ceased to be the basis for the allocation of offices. Abia, for them, was made up of old-Bende and Aba Districts. In the process, Abia North Senatorial Zone, was alienated. All these and more, laid the foundation for the death of the party. Instead of making efforts to rebuild, the food-is-ready politicians chose to abandon their sinking ship.

Are you still in PDP?

The once vibrant party is now a ghost of itself. To remain there would be like having a one-man party. So, I have decided to join the Siddon Look Party (SLP). New members are welcome. We’ll soon build it into a formidable party: Better to build than to destroy- is our motto.

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