THE massive edifice of the party shrank and degenerated into a decrepit and moribund organisation. The party slipped into the dark shadows of a capricious dictator as sole godfather beating other contenders into retreat.

His ways became more whimsical, wild and supercilious that men of honour, dignity and esteem were alienated from the mainstream of activities. While many deflected to other parties, particularly the ACN in anger, some others have remained phlegmatically resilient, constrained to watching events from the sidelines, hoping that sanity would prevail some day.

It is therefore, sad that rather than address the issues, the same leaders that callously pulled down the solid structures of the party suddenly came out of the blues with claims of reconciliation.

Questions are still hanging in the air unanswered about the inscrutable issues that fortified the intransigence of both camps and inexorably forced them to a deadlock for about four or more years running. They cannot simply wake up one morning with hollow claims.

The public deserves to know the thrust of reconciliation vis a vis the issues in contention. What deals have been struck now that could not be struck years back? The multi-million Naira inspired reconciliation has already been rubbished by some notable leaders of the faction.

The deal if allowed to stand would confirm Chief Tony Anenih as politically supreme in the party, having earlier legitimized his personal structure. This will consign Dr. S.O.Ogbemudia and Admiral Mike Akhigbe to perpetual position of subordination. The so-called reconciliation was conceived and contracted in humbuggery. It has no political value what-so-ever!

In the heat of the rally on Saturday October 15, 2011, the roll call of recognition of dignitaries and leaders of the party troubled the minds of lovers and zealots with streams of tough questions popping-up: Where are the original promoters and protagonists of the party? Where are die-hard ideological motivators and the great party orators at rallies? Where are the original field commanders, political warlords and foot soldiers that held sway in their various electoral districts of influence?

The answers are hidden in the smoky rooms of impositions. Out of the recent congresses, concealed in the old strategy of setting barricades against perceived recalcitrant elements, the old body fabric and the conscience of the party was supplanted with chronic know-nothings from the defunct APP that have no record of any political achievement.

For instance, the defunct APP gubernatorial candidate and his running-mate in 1999 in the persons of Lucky Imasuen and Dan Osi Orbih are the installed party leaders of the present PDP in Edo State. The former is the State Vice Chairman (South) and Chairman of Edo South caucus, while the latter is the State Chairman of the party. The then senatorial candidate, Mathew Urhoghide, whose senatorial ambition was again recently terminated in the ACN, is the new Publicity Secretary of the PDP.

In Oredo Local Government Area, in Benin City, the seat of power, which tends to dictate the direction and pace of events, another crony of the godfather, a vacuous and arrogant alien to politics, has been foisted on the people as the party leader. His short foray into politics has been hallmarked by sycophantic manoeuvres and mindless betrayal of his people’s interests.

When his godfather rewarded him with ministerial appointment, he was so parochial and shortsighted that he shut his doors against everyone and could not build any followership in his ward. This know-nothing and lack-lustre cavalry commander without foot soldiers is the preferred leader for the highly enlightened and urbane people of Oredo local government council .

In the PDP, you have to work really hard on your self- esteem. The more people demean themselves and master the act of fetish devotion to the worship of the sole godfather, the more the chances of getting rewarded with positions without regard to proven ability or capacity to perform. In the PDP under the watch of the ‘Leader’, the practice of imposition of persons into any position is unquestionable and distressingly normal.

Therefore, the present configuration and composition of the party leadership in the State hardly suggest a determination to fashion out fresh winning formula. With the mass defection and abandonment of the umbrella by members of the original victory machine, it would appear that the task of rebuilding the party, ward by ward, will be a Herculean one, as quality materials for remediation may not be readily available. When party apparatus and structures are weakened by parochial imposition of sycophants, bootlickers and personality cult worshippers, you probably do not need a crystal ball to predict ominous outcome.

There is no clue what-so-ever to compel a major recasting of electoral forces from the experience of the April 2011, National and State legislative elections.

Unfortunately, the lack of forthright leadership and character, the absence of capacity to play grassroot politics of little deals, favours, bargains and resolution of local conflicts cast a pall on the political horizon of the PDP in the forthcoming election.

Thus, irrespective of what anybody says about the pitfalls and faux pas of Governor Oshiomhole’s administration, the PDP is doomed to fall again into the dark tunnel of defeat come Saturday 14 July 2012.

Mr. JOSEPH OSUYI, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.