An apt political description of what is going on in Edo State PDP is somewhat akin to dancing with the wolves that are always around in every election season. To gain political power generally is like dancing with the wolves because one has to consort and embrace people and groups, which in a normal run of things, one would avoid. But this is politics for you.
The wolf in its natural animal instincts is not a very forgiving animal. He may lay low and pretends but at the end, it attacks his attacker at the most opportune moment. That’s what politicians do. For now, we are told that the Leadership of the party and the PDP Governors will meet with the concerned parties in this sudden impasse and resolve the contending issues, as they were. But in real life, people remember things long after the initial crisis is over. It is human nature.
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That’s why I fear that the instigators of the current macabre dance should remember a fact of life; that no politician really forgive the people who run against them using barb wires to whip him while pretending it is sport. It is a wolverine game. So, no matter the handshakes, banters and back-slapping for the photo-ops after the settlement, there’s always something that happened at a particular time in the campaign trail that’s so ingrained in the deep recesses of the mind that is never completely forgiven and forgotten.
This political mindset really leaves one to wonder if there are faithful and loyal friendship among politicians. Politicians claim they are friends but generally their friendships are not faithful ones. They are only in alliances. And alliances shift on the basis of selfish personal interest. And regrettably, sometimes, this is what causes the downward slide of many a politician to the abysmal region of political deadwoodism. The political highway and byways is strewn with such shipwrecked politicians of timbre and caliber just yesterday.
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Hence, all parties on both sides of the divide in this unthinkable, almost seismic explosion must sheath their swords and embrace amicable resolution for the sake of suffering loyal PDP masses in Edo State. Else, they should keep in mind that if this issues are just plastered and not surgically healed, the end of this scandal is very likely not an end in real sense. This should be a legitimate concern for every career politician or political beneficiary of PDP support.
No matter, it may seem some people have the upper hand now. Governor Obaseki may seem weakened with his hands tied by this hard tackle ambush. He is thus, forced into negotiation or re-negotiation. But the fact is, he is still the incumbent Governor and now, also, he is a PDP Governor. With that comes latitude of liberties that he can invoke after the election dust settles. So, let’s not leave negative but positive impressions, always and the more so, in hoary political times as this. This is a clarion call for all actors in this current gubernatorial movie to make supreme sacrifice for PDP and help the party regain power. If the fire brigade efforts fail and the party is thrown into full blown crisis, none of the persons involved will be covered in glory. All party faithful of light and honour are happy that today, Edo State is PDP as we speak.
My 10 kobo opinion. Let’s make PDP great Again!
Note: Malik, a political communications consultant was head of public affairs and strategy at PDP Governors Forum.
