PDP crisis: This is why Makarfi’s group must not surrender to Ali Modu Sheriff
Editor's Note: The crisis rocking the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to end. Although some members of the party are surrendering to the Sheriff faction having secured victory at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, FRED LATIMORE OGHENESIVBE, a PDP member in Delta state, in this article, is of the view that Makarfi's group has the support of the majority, hence, it should not surrender to the Ali Modu Sheriff's faction.
It appears ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, as one of the key leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is very keen in reconciling the leadership crisis between the Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Alhaji Modu Sheriff factions after the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt ruled in favour of the Sheriff group.
His peace moves are commendable but I respectfully wish to state that his intervention came a bit too late. The crisis has been on and rocking the party to its very foundation since May 2016. No matter how busy Goodluck Jonathan may be, such monumental internal legal fracas ought to have attracted his prompt attention.
I am of the candid opinion that the Makarfi group is on good standing irrespective of the Court of Appeal ruling in favour of Modu Sheriff. Looking at the calibre of party leaders and major stakeholders behind the Senator Makarfi group, it follows that Sheriff is not in the good books of the majority of key players in the party which further confirms the allegation that he is "a mole and a divisive tool" in the hands of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makarfi and Sheriff
I am not also comfortable with some of the reckless and divisive statements credited to Sheriff by the media after his victory at the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt. He was widely quoted as saying that he would "reduce Gov Wike of Rivers state and Fayose of Ekiti to nothing in the party" and to further ensure that they do not play any major roles in the party under his watch as party national chairman.
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Sheriff went further to describe the two incumbent governors as miscreants, thugs and hooligans. This, to me, is the height of reckless political statement, suggesting that Sheriff is not done yet with internal squabbles in the party.
Sheriff’s crafty manipulations appears to be very dangerous and stakeholders must insist that he retract the insults on Fayose and Wike and also tender apology via the mass media.
For crying out loud, if not for Wike and Fayose, PDP would have been completely voiceless at a time the party ought to give the failed APC government a dogged fight through vibrant opposition to free Nigerians from acute hunger, amplified poverty and stagnated economy.
It is now very obvious that the CHANGE mantra is a scam, dubious and a fast string on the collective intelligence of Nigerians.
It is therefore expedient that the Senator Makarfi group should approach the Supreme Court to review the ruling of the appeal court for the sole purpose of exposing miscarriage of Justice, if any.
The verdict will also serve as legal reference for other political parties that may experience similar internal leadership crisis in the future, especially matters bordering on strict adherence to party constitution, rule of law and good conscience.
Sheriff has battled PDP and is almost having his way
In my personal opinion, I very much believe that Alhaji Modu Sheriff and his group are insensitive to the opposition roles which PDP ought to provide at this critical time of bad governance in our country occasioned by the deceitful and clueless government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC.
APC as a party deployed high level political propaganda and hate speeches to wrestle power from PDP and it is expected that the party doubles efforts to take over power from APC in 2019.
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APC still dwells in the realm of superlative propaganda to deceive Nigerians, especially the state of health of Mr. President. The APC people are saying that President Buhari is sound, waiting for medical reports and laboratory tests but could not video record the visit and conversation between Senate President Bukola's team and President Buhari and send same for broadcast on NTA, CHANNELS, AIT and other stations, so as to confirm to millions of Nigerians that Buhari is on stable medical condition to continue very soon with his functions as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What a scam!
PDP must quickly rebrand and give APC a running political battle from now till 2019 general elections. Modu Sheriff and his group should not create additional suspicion in the minds of Nigerians that the ruling party is behind their political chess game.
PDP must of a necessity provide a vibrant and dogged opposition to sustain our hard earned democracy.
Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state
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