The entire country —or almost the whole country— has been startled by the sudden decision— well, at least, it seemed unexpected —of a sizeable chunk of the pecking order of the Peoples Democratic Party to break away and form another—if not a different — political group.

So why were we not surprised that the PDP imploded at its own convention last week? Why was the news not greeted with dismay by the generality of the people? Is it because we are yet to fully grasp the meaning of a ruling party that has imploded and the effect it could have on governance? No.

Some attribute this cruel but recurring phenomenon to nerves, burnout, inferiority complex, inadequate preparation, inexperience, unpaid allowances … there’s a whole host of reasons why that green and white vest continues to flap futilely in the wake of the overachievers (usually several meters ahead).

An Igbo adage says that when birds fly without perching, one will shot without aiming.

WATCHING the PDP fall apart is like watching a car crash in slow motion. At the  time of writing, 26 senators and 57 House of Representatives members have decided to defect to the “New PDP” splinter group that was formed last weekend and is headed by Alhajis Atiku Abubakar and Abubakar Kawu Baraje.