Implications of PDP crisis on politics By Oyewale Oyelola

The crisis in the leading opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new dimension on Saturday as two interm leaders emerged at parallel National Convention held in Port Harcourt and Abuja. The immediate past Chairman of the party, Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff was sacked unceremoniously before the commencement of Port Harcourt National Convention attended PDP Governors, elected political officeholders from the party, National Working Committee/National Executive Council members, Board of Trustees and delegates from 36 states of the federation and FCT.

On Monday, Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt gave injunction in support of Senator Ahmed Makarfi led PDP Caretaker Committee and banned Ali-modu Sheriff and his cohorts from parading themselves as PDP Executive. While, deposed PDP National Chairman approached another Federal High Court in Lagos to nullify his removal from office.

Senator Ibrahim Mantu who was appointed by delegates at Abuja Parallel National Convention convened by party’s stakeholder forum comprising majority of founding members is also claiming to be authentic leader of PDP.

The Nigerian Police Force to avoid breakdown of law and order sealed PDP Headquarters, thereby denying any of the warring faction of having access to Wadata Plaza. Force spokesperson, Bisi Kolawole said Police sealed Peoples Democratic  Party Headquarters due intelligence that indicated some aggrieved factional leaders and members of the party had perfected plans to engage thugs from across the country to join them in threatening public peace and security in Abuja.

Statement released by NPF to justify their action read in part, “Towards perfecting this criminality, credible Police sources confirm that the actors will mobilize into Abuja with effect from Monday 23rd May 2016 and they intend to march through major streets in Abuja before proceeding to the PDP Secretariat to manifest their intention.

“Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police has directed the deployment of Police assets to secure the PDP Secretariat and protect the staff until the threat to internal security that is being occasioned by the intra-party crisis within the PDP is stabilized.

“The police action is a proactive initiative which is being placed in furtherance to the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Police to prevent breakdown in law and order and protect lives and property.”

Although many Nigerians described Police prompt action as suspicious but Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase must be commended for acting swiftly to promote law and order.

The party who ruled Nigeria at the central level from 1999-2015 has been bedeviled by crisis since defeat in last year Presidential election. National Executive Committee (NEC) of PDP are just learning act of opposition which necessary ingredient to strengthen democracy in the country.

Ongoing crisis started after All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated the party at the federal level. Some members embarked on blame game after their defeat, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State accused former National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu fondly called ‘Game Changer’ of not doing enough to mobilize support for Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in the north during April 2015 election. He therefore mobilized party faithful against Muazu and his exit from office.

Sequel to exit of game changer in May 2015, Chief Uche Secondus (Deputy National Chairman, South) takes over as Acting Chairman but forces from North East led by former Political Adviser, Ahmed Ali Gulak filed a suit at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop Secondus continue stay in office. Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the High Court, Abuja sacked Uche Secondus as the Acting Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) December last year.

In February National Executive Committee after nationwide consultation appointed Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff as National Chairman to complete Adamu Mu’azu tenure. This move which has the backing of Jonathan was to ensure North East retain the chairmanship seat.

However, the appointment of Sheriff who joined PDP in buildup to 2015 general elections was rejected by youths, stakeholder forum (group former political appointees in the party, some elders and Board of Trustees. Aggrieved party faithful argues that Sheriff will lead the party to doom due to his antecedent of working against his party from within while other says he responsible for creating of Boko Haram.

The party leadership later announced that Sheriff will lead PDP for three months and vacant the seat during National Convention.

Regrettably, Sheriff  prove his critics right by nursing ambition to retain PDP Chairmanship seat till 2018 and contest for president in 2019. He alleged offered Vice President Slot to PDP four governors to their support. The former Borno state governor allegedly initiated two court cases that stopped election of NEC during failed National Convention.

Another factor that led to failed convention was the move by PDP governors to install their protégés as NEC Members. Ayo Fayose is planning to install his media as party’s National Publicity Secretary. The failure of governors to agree on position sharing before Port Harcourt Convention spell doom for the convention.

Lack of leadership figure like sitting President or respected elder like former President Olusegun Obasanjo who can maneuver different factions to work together in the of the party also led to the Saturday’s drama.

Failure of party leaders to reconcile warring after losing presidential election also contributed to current crisis in the party.

The first victim of PDP crisis if not resolve on time might be the PDP governorship aspirant in Edo State. According to INEC time table for September 10 Edo State Governorship election; political parties are expected to conduct party primary election between July 2 and 4 including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries. So PDP might not field candidate in the election if they fail to elect NEC members before end of June.

Nigerians are also missing the role of vibrant opposition played by APC before winning Presidential election. PDP didn’t give APC any issue when they removed subsidy on petrol in May 11 and increased the price to N145 per litre. Lack of credible opposition is not good for emerging democratic like ours, so PDP must resolve their difference in order to play their new role effectively.

The Party whom Ex-Chairman once boost that they will rule Nigeria for 60 years might soon become history not to talk of returning to power in 2019.