Despite Defections, PDP Remains Strong – Chieftain, Chris Edadi
Hon Chris Edadi is the Financial Secretary of the People Democratic Party, PDP in Cross River State. In this interview with our Chief Operating Officer, Evang Joseph Kingston, the PDP strong man insisted that his party was far from extinction as widely believed. _Excerpts_ :
*As the financial secretary of the PDP in Cross River State chapter, how do you feel seeing your members leaving everyday?*
As a loyal party man, sincerely committed to my party, I always feel saddened most times, but I am even more encouraged that even the APC is not doing better and there is hope in the future before the final collapsing of the APC ahead of 2027. Most of the people defecting today will be highly disappointed soon, especially those with aspirations or one expectation or the other, .This is because the APC we know do not keep to agreements and nothing can change them soon.
*Is there any prospect in your personal politics in the future looking at the way things are going as a young man full of energy to serving the people?*
Well, as an individual, ordinarily I know the future rewards yesterday and today’s hard work pays better but patient is required. One must be sincere to self, consistent and committed to his conviction to have a great future. As a good student of Nigeria’s political party’s migration disease and how political power is acquired, I know some time soon we shall be incharge and what we do differently when the time comes for the benefits of the general society is what we are learning from the mistakes of the past and the now occupants of power today. Definitely, when we come on board in 2027, we shall do it differently.
Therefore, I don’t see people leaving my party as an intimidation or fear to frustrate the future, but more saddened that many have lost the vision and are not sensitive to the timing and chances that await them despite the suffering and the plight the same APC government has inflicted on hardworking Nigerians.
*Are you saying, you can’t leave PDP or defect to APC no matter what it offers* ?
Yes. As much as people are at liberty to join any party, any day, any time, they are free and that is why I don’t attack people’s personal decisions except if they leave with a derogatory standpoint or issue statement against my party. It is at that point that I wouldn’t be silent anymore. My take is that, if you want to resign, just resign and face your new party. After all, joining APC today is a normal trend of defecting to APC today and being retired tomorrow, but joining PDP is rather a greater decision.
*How will you survive a long opposition as a politician with other responsibilities?*
Like, I had already said, whatever you are seeing happening in the APC today is against the people and the people are aware and what is holding most people down in the APC is that there’s no viable option at the moment. The truth is that we don’t have any sincere APC member today in Cross River State except those holding one position or another. Nobody is in APC out of personal love and can proudly proclaim so in their respective constituencies or social media platforms freely without fear of being attack from either heterogeneous or extraneous members of the society who are victims of the APC government.
Unfortunately, the APC members complain more. There is too much disappointment, internal bickering, hatred, witch hunts,duplication of factions,betrayal, lack of expression, modernized slavery and deceit.
I don’t think, I need to be in APC or defect before I can benefit from the APC government especially from my friends.
But it must be said that most times, they need the help more than you even as appointees and elected officials. Most of them are living from hand to mouth, and only from their salaries. Some appointees of the government are more frustrated.
Therefore, my major challenge is that those we are supposed to run to for help have nowhere to run to. This is because, the APC plague is a respecter of none. The increasing numbers of Crosssriverians in abject poverty is alarming, and these appointees are compelled to spending without reservation for themselves and are always bankrupt because of the bad economy of the same APC government.
To think of joining is not in my calendar because there’s absolutely no attraction in the APC. What you see is hypocrisy and self deceit
*People say Cross River State is gradually becoming more of a one party state. What is your take?*
I have told you before that APC in Cross River state doesnt have any sincere members except those holding one or two appointment or engaged in something to help such survive. There is a big margin between loving a party and just surviving on the platform of a party without options.
The APC is at risk. This is because any opening of a stronger move of opposition will spell doom to the APC and let no elected office holder think it’s over. This is because what is coming will consume the illicit and sponsored defection and undue endorsement of the APC trending across the state at the moment.
Obviously, you can only be celebrated the day you joined APC and after that day your eyes will definitely open to know that you are merely at your own risk and nobody cares.
Unfortunately, I have it on record that 60% of those who defected in Calabar about two weeks ago, are already regretting because what was discussed wasn’t seen and some were even abandoned in Calabar. During that event, those who came from the north and central saw hell.
With such experience, they are yet to be APC members in earnest and there can never be one party system. At the appropriate time, we shall recall our members. We have said so already Mobility is a character trait of all humans, and and we evolve with time.
The people will definitely express their feelings against what seems to be playing at the moment in favour of the APC. You can force a cow to the river, but drinking is optional. No force wil cause a cow to drink water he does not want to.
Situations on ground will enforce the people’s opinion before the ballot paper.
*Are you sure there shall be a credible opposition candidates in Cross River state come 2027.*
Yes, like I have told you, nobody aspire under any platform or to any position without prospect. PDP and other parties like the LP wil feature prominently in 2027
Let’s keep our fingers crossed, and be rest assured that those who may be thinking of being too smart to cross ship recklessly will definitely meet again during the 2027 contest.
