Although it has no big names behind its establishment like the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, who propelled the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to, against all odds, become the ruling party in Anambra State, the influence of Young Democratic Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State in the last couple of months could spring some surprises against the bigger parties, some political pundits aver.
For such bookmakers, YPP’s growing base in the state is instructive. However, members of the two other major parties, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) would dismiss such a claim.
But the reason for the divergent views is not far off. YPP came as a child circumstance, at a time the configuration of the 35-years-old state with the ruling PDP holding sway since the return of democracy in 1999 in the state and the ruling APC, at the centre, appear to have lost the confidence reposed in them by Nigerians across virtually all the divides.
In Akwa Ibom State for instance, although incumbent governor Udom Emmanuel, had despite the challenges of economic blights occasioned by high level inflation, the Covid-19 bouts, and other extraneous forces, had been able to deploy his economic expertise in his bid to steer the state out of the woods, pockets of critics, are wont to score the administration low.
Therefore, the crises of succession in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections in about four months to come, gave rise to the emergence of the YPP in the political consciousness of Akwa Ibom, with people holding dissenting opinions on which parties to pitch their tent as the polls inch closer.
In the run-up to the primaries of the PDP, the governor and leader of the party had picked his preferred choice to succeed him – his then Commissioner for Lands and Water, Pastor Umo Eno, a big entrepreneur in the hotel and hospitality industry, about two years after being named into the cabinet.
“Time has gone for anybody who never owned a kiosk to, again become the governor of Akwa Ibom,” Emmanuel said, assuring that Eno, an employer of labour with business ingenuity remains the best bet to succeed him in order to sustain his industrialisation policy and create private sector jobs so as to dissuade the youths from the allures of politics.
But anger grew from the camps of the “established” politicians, who viewed this executive assertion as “unacceptable”, and, therefore, urged the governor to open up the political space for all contenders for popularity test.
He did. But issues concerning the use of ad-hoc delegates were intense as some aspirants accused the governor of working towards ensuring Eno wins the primary. This forced some aggrieved aspirants to protest and withdraw from the contest.
Top governorship aspirants including the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Bassey Akpan and the current House of Representatives member for Etinan Federal Constituency, Onofiok Luke, and others challenged the matter at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which was delivered in favour of Emmanuel.
Senator Akpan, determined to see through his ambition, resigned from PDP, despite being the party’s chairman of the Akwa Ibom caucus, and migrated to YPP. His friend and state party chairman, Pastor Nyenime Andy, who had the governorship ticket, surrendered the ticket to him (Akpan) through a re-conducted of the party’s primary.
The party has a little foothold in Anambra with Senator Ifeanyi Uba, representing YPP in the Red Chamber. But this did not deter Senator Akpan, from accepting to fly the party’s flag against PDP and APC.
The launch of the party in Uyo was massive with the former commissioner for Works and later Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Udom Emmanuel, defecting to pick the Senate ticket for Akwa Ibom South.
Former House of Representatives member for Abak Federal Constituency, Emmanuel Ekon and former House of Assembly member for Uyo state constituency, Usenobong Akpabio, and others also defected from the APC and PDP, to pick the Senatorial tickets for Akwa Ibom North-West and Akwa Ibom North-East, respectively.
For some pundits, YPP is pushing its influence across the 31 local government areas, especially among the youths.
With speed, checks by our Correspondent revealed that the party is becoming an organized force with structures and offices set-up across the 329 Wards spread across the 31 LGAs.
Ahead of the polls proper, Obong Bassey Akpan, popularly called OBA, had drawn the battle line, declaring that “the 2023 elections will be between YPP and Akwa Ibom state government’s vault.”
OBA made this remark at the Holy Ghost Ambassadors Ministry on Sunday, October 23, 2022 during the thanksgiving service, assuring YPP will win since it has the masses in its support.
“We came here to seek God’s face as we start this journey. The testimony of how far He has brought us is evidence that He is with us…We are definitely sure that God is taking us there, though we pass through tribulations. It is not about the wish of men, it is about the will of God. It is not by power or might but by the will of God,” he added.
OBA noted that the YPP candidates for other offices were the most credible in their former parties, and begged God to allow him to use YPP “to rescue Akwa Ibom people from mis-governance.”
Reacting, the chairman of the Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, who thanked God for taking the party to an enviable hight, assured “the campaign council will work with God till the state is taken over by the party.”
National chairman of the party, Comrade Emmanuel Amakiri, said the forthcoming election is between the people’s choice and the cabal’s choice, and urged the people to support the people’s choice for effective leadership.
Director general of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Pastor Sunny Ibuot said the emergence of Akpan, thanked the party’s leadership at both national and state levels for working with God’s plans in choosing Akpan.
Former minister of Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, who doubles as the political leader of Eket Senatorial District comprising 12 LGAs, predicted victory for YPP over the big parties because Nigerians don’t want them anymore.
YPP’s confidence draws from the simmering tussle within the APC and the belief that the PDP is weak after the crisis surrounding its primaries.
With the APC yet to officially disentangle its Governorship candidate, Obong Akanimo Udofia, from eligibility crises hanging over his disputed candidature in Court, the battle line is, for now, drawn between the ruling PDP and YPP.
Still, other pundits, like Maxwell Obiekwe, believe that PDP and APC still remain two leading parties in Akwa Ibom. He also argued that YPP would struggle to get the votes of those opposed to APC and PDP with other parties like Labour Party (LP) which is gaining momentum in the region and the state.
“There is no doubt that YPP has shown measurable presence in the state. But I still think PDP and APC are still the two dominant parties going into the election. More so, YPP will battle for votes with the Labour Party which seems to be making inroads in the state as well. So as much as YPP sees itself making inroads, it would be interesting to see what other parties are doing.”
Will the PDP with its incumbency factor retain its status as the Landlord of the Hilltop Mansion since 1999? Or, will the unexpected happen with YPP as the new kid on the block?. Only time will tell who would eventually carry the day.
