THE ELASTICITY OF THE PEOPLE ‘s DEMOCRATIC PARTY’s (PDP) UMBRELLA

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by Goodliffe Goodhead

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is said to be the largest political party in Africa, as it has over 50 million registered members across the Country, Nigeria.

During electioneering period, the elasticity of the Red, White and Green Umbrella Logo of the party is such that it accommodates all members and intending members. Strategic meetings are held at all strata of the party (Units, Wards Local government Areas and State) T-Shirts and face caps are printed and distributed. Vehicles are hired and people mobilized from all over the local government, States and Country in general.

Members of the party are charged to wear their ‘Jims’ and protect their votes. They are instructed to ensure that the party emerges victorious in their various units, wards, local government and States. In carrying out these directives, some members get beaten, injured, deformed, and some cases, killed.

Moments after the election is concluded, results announced and the winner emerges, the party’s Umbrella becomes inelastic. Only few persons are accommodated in terms of political appointments, award of contracts, etc. The political appointees in turn, focus on their relatives and friends for empowerment. Contracts are awarded to close associates, relatives and friends. No one remembers the people mobilized from the various units, wards and local governments to win the election.

Ordinarily, the generality of the people would have benefited from social amenities such as free transport, free medical care, free education etc. But those are alien to our leaders. So, the people become shut out of the umbrella. meetings are no longer called. Phone calls to people in authority are rejected as effort to meet them personally are rebuffed by their security details.

The privileged few feed fat while the majority wallow in lack and poverty.