The PDP Split, Prospects and Consequences
The just concluded special convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which was widely commended by both internal and external observers has become an eye opener to the party against those who ambush the party, praying for its downfall.
The police and other security agencies in the federation were not left out of the commendation as past events, especially the October 1st, 2010 bomb blast at the same Eagle Square was enough lesson to drive home the expertise security network exhibited during the convention.
The convention however, has come and gone, but its ripples are worrisome to many particularly the well-wishers of the party.
To the founders and members of the party, it is a normal scenario in a political party, hence they say, no cause for alarm.
But for the members of the opposition parties, especially the APC it has hailed the splinter group of the party, hoping it will snowball into their victory at the much expected 2015 polls.
Before the just concluded convention, there were cries of suppression in some quarters of the party, particularly in Rivers State.
The pro-Amaechi believers were of the opinion that the party in the state could not do without them while the party moved in earnest to conclude arrangements for the special convention.
The problem in Rivers raged on to the expulsion of majority of the commissioners in the governor Amaechi’s cabinet in addition to the already suspended lawmakers and the governor himself.
According to the party’s constitution, the lawmakers and commissioners who are members of the party are delegates to the convention.
But where a functionary is suspended from the party, all his/her rights in the party are shattered and, or withdrawn, hence the disqualification of the affected officers from attending the convention.
While, the affected officers in the state were loyal to the Godspower U. Ake’s sacked exco and ignored the Obuah leadership, the party moved to strip them of their rights.
The action by the party against the suspended and expelled members were however viewed by some as a war of attrition, but to others it was viewed as show of not only supremacy, but an act of discipline in the party.
We believe that, the scenario in Rivers State may not be different from those other states were crisis also engulfed the PDP.
For example, the Adamawa State, where the National Chairman of the PDP Bamanga Tukur and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are wielding political influences.
In a political setting, what is happening in PDP is normal, but must the players consider it a do or die affair?
We view it as an act of selfishness on the part of the splinter group who could not take bold step out of the party, rather went to form a parallel exco that is not recognized by the law establishing withal party as approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had left the PDP for ACN and later returned and now to form a parallel exco, what is he looking for. The same Atiku had fought his boss, OBJ while in office to take over power, but to no avail.
We, suggest that the splinter group and the party as well should ensure that peace reigns in Nigeria by not allowing their individual and selfish motives suppress the unity, peace and development of the country.
We further tasked the PDP which claim to be the largest party to put its house in order if its dream to win the 2015 elections will not be a mirage. ###
