By Donald Duke
Dear Friends,a lot is being said about my return to the Peoples Democratic
Party,PDP.Truth is,I reunited with the party almost a year ago now,but in spirit
never left the ideals for which the party was founded upon.It is rather
unfortunate that Governor Ben Ayade who constantly egged me to rejoin the
party has himself had cause to leave.
A rather unfortunate decision for which I
neither support nor condemn,asI’m not privy to the details except his
complaints of being stifled and unappreciated by the leadership of the party and
certain elements of CrossRiver State origin at Abuja.
In our early to mid thirties buoyed by optimism and faith in our State and Nation,
we took a plunge into the unknown world of politics.Providence smiled at us
and thrust us into the limelight and leadership of national politics.In Cross River
State we took on the establishment and won a razorth in victory in1999, but
through firm and adroit leadership and adherence to the democratic principles of
inclusion we soon brought largely all the political class in the state under the
PDP and by 2007,we were perhaps the most PDP state in Nigeria.
However,post 2007,the party’s fortune started ebbing.An autocratic leadership
style emerged,communication with its followers declined and emergence in the
party was determined largely not by the party constitution or structures but by
the whims of the States Chief Executive.
This is the structure GovAyade inherited and has largely led us to where we are
today.The very top down political style we fought against prior1999,instead of
consultation,accommodation and inclusion reared its head to the extent that
founding members of the party in the state including former state chairmen,
senators, members of the National Assembly and,over time opted out and this
attrition has continued unabated to the extent that the Governor himself has left
to seek pasture elsewhere.
I believe it is important that we provide the same opportunities that democratic
inclusion afforded us in our youth to other young people as they prepare to
takeover the mantle of leadership.
It is my hope that we all have learnt the lessons of the past couple of years.Our
nation begs for sincere and committed leadership.We can and must do better.
There is no roomn or time for egoistic pandering but selfless service and this,is
what the times deserves.Thank you and may God Bless our state and nation.
Donald Duke
