While it is no longer news that the PDP lost to the APC in its traditional stronghold in Cross River State, there a few lessons for the Party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

1. Choosing a candidate from a region that has poor votes return: One of the mistake the PDP did was giving the ticket to the Ukelle axis all in a bid for equality sake.
Ukelle axis, did not deliver the needed votes for their son and this should be taken into consideration when giving the presidential ticket.
The party should avoid giving the south east its ticket for the now, if it wants to reclaim the seat of presidency it should only give the south east if the APC does same. As the voters apathy from the south east should be taken to heart.

2. Proper campaign: The PDP choice of Calabar as against Okpoma or Igoli for its final campaign rally was a poor choice.
Taking the rally to Okpoma or Igoli was giving the people a sense of belonging and actually sending their message to the electorates who have a say in the elections directly.
And the APC understood this perfectly.

3. Imposition of candidates: The PDP should avoid imposition of candidates. Mike Usibe was imposed by Sen. Jarigbe against the wishes of majority of the party members and the result is the defeat of the party by the APC.

4. The party should know that politics is local and that elections are not won on social media. The party also needs to know that there's no more a traditional stronghold again and as such it should go back to the basic, and start grassroot mobilization.

Ol