Political history is often shaped by defining moments – moments when a single decision alters the course of events for years, sometimes decades. Looking back over my political journey, I have come to regard the events surrounding the 2007 PDP governorship primaries in Edo State as one of those defining moments.
I do not write these reflections out of bitterness or regret. Time has a way of softening personal disappointments and replacing them with sober reflection. Rather, I write as one who was privileged to witness history from within and who believes that future generations should learn from the successes and mistakes of the past.
By 2007, I had served our nation in several capacities – as Commissioner in Edo State and two time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. My aspiration to govern Edo State was driven by a sincere desire to build on those experiences and provide purposeful leadership for our people. Across the state, many party faithful believed that I possessed the experience, political reach, and grassroots support needed to lead the PDP to a convincing victory.
The party leadership, however, chose another path. Like every loyal party man, I accepted the decision in the interest of peace and party unity. I neither rebelled nor abandoned the PDP. Instead, I remained steadfast and successfully contested for the Senate, where I had the honour of representing the good people of Edo Central Senatorial District for two consecutive terms.
Yet, many party members believed that the decision of 2007 came at a heavy price. It created deep dissatisfaction within the party, weakened confidence in its internal democratic processes, and sowed seeds of division that became increasingly difficult to heal. Politics is built on trust, and once that trust is eroded, rebuilding it is never easy.
The years that followed seemed to confirm those fears. Although the PDP initially secured victory in the governorship election, that victory was eventually nullified by the courts. The party lost control of Edo State and, despite repeated efforts over the years, struggled to regain its former dominance. Internal disagreements, defections, and recurring leadership crises gradually diminished what had once been the strongest political platform in the state.
As I watched these developments unfold, I felt no sense of vindication. Instead, I experienced profound sadness. I had devoted a significant part of my political life to building the PDP. To witness its gradual decline in Edo State was painful, not because of my personal ambition, but because of the hopes and sacrifices of thousands of loyal party members who believed in its ideals.
The story of the PDP in Edo State offers enduring lessons. Political parties cannot thrive without fairness, transparency, internal democracy, and respect for the wishes of their members. When capable leaders are overlooked through political expediency rather than objective assessment, the consequences may extend far beyond one election. They can weaken institutions, fracture unity, and erode public confidence for many years.
History rarely announces its verdict immediately. It unfolds gradually, allowing future generations to judge the wisdom of decisions made in moments of intense political calculation. Whether one agrees with my perspective or not, few would dispute that 2007 marked a turning point in the fortunes of the PDP in Edo State.
As I conclude this reflection, I bear no resentment toward any individual. My faith teaches forgiveness, and public service has taught me humility. My hope is simply that future political leaders, regardless of party affiliation, will place justice, merit, and the collective interest above personal calculations. That is the surest foundation upon which enduring political institutions are built, and the greatest lesson that the PDP’s experience in Edo State has bequeathed to history.
Senator Odion Ugbesia
Excerpt from memoir