KASHAMU: LET'S SAVE THE PDP FROM IMPOSITION

KASHAMU: LET'S SAVE THE PDP FROM IMPOSITION

PREAMBLE
Constitutionally, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has institutionalised the zoning system as a means of equitable political relationship amongst Nigeria’s six geographical zones. This is evidently the strength of the party as rightly envisioned by her founding fathers. No structure can stand without its foundation being in place. It is therefore akin to rupturing the PDP foundation if the zoning agreements and/or ethics are jeopardized under the pretence of some other rights, no matter how tenable or legal. Consequently, it is imperative for all PDP stakeholders to rise up to the challenge of saving the party from the unfolding schemes of few of our leaders to selfishly rock the boat.

THE ISSUES
It is not hidden that prior to the emergence of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee, a generally acceptable zoning of national exco positions have been reached; where the national chairmanship was zoned to the South, on the understanding that the next presidential candidate shall be of northern extraction. Major stakeholders in the party also felt it would be equitable and just to further concede the national chairmanship position to the South West which has not had the privilege of producing the National Chairman of the party since inception. The mandate of the Makarfi-led caretaker committee was straightforward and simply to hold forth in the interim and organise a free and fair elective national convention for the emergence of the national exco. Unfortunately, the activities of Sen. Makarfi have been everything to the contrary. He had been going about not even as an elected national chairman with full tenure but much more ridiculously like a sole administrator with timeless tenure under the disguise of solving one problem or the other. Sen. Makarfi has allowed his egocentric presidential ambition to blindfold him. He has been illegally tinkering with duly elected state excos with the intention of substituting them with allies sympathetic to his ambition sliced with greed of selling state structures with impunity. He has disorganised the South West PDP for selfish manipulations with his cohorts, chief amongst whom is the uncultured and erratic Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose.

As if the disorganisation of the South West structures is not enough; Makarfi has clandestinely abdicated the leadership role of ensuring an acceptable micro-zoning, he left the national chairmanship hitherto conceded to the South West for a free-for-all among the three southern zones. This is to complicate issues among the South and make Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike unfairly positioned to impose a National Chairman of his choice. The major South-South contestants, Prince Uche Secondus and High Chief Raymond Dokpesi are eminently qualified for the National Chairmanship of our party, except for the process and implications of a unilateral imposition.

Firstly, it should be noted that Makarfi's antics of problem creations and endorsements are meant to warrant unending crises aimed at perpetuating himself in this interim position to further structure his selfish presidential emergence. It is indeed funny that Makarfi that has evidently shown lack of requisite capacity to be the National Chairman is dreaming of becoming the President of Nigeria. He is a bundle of betrayal even worse than Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. It is rather advisable that he be contended with monies realised from commercialising of PDP state structures and channel efforts at managing other germane issues. Sensibly, all major PDP stakeholders now have to unite to ease him out of office on the 9th of December, 2017, without further tenure extension.

I have been in wide consultations with a lot of our eminent leaders nationally and extensively with major stakeholders in the South West, particularly the chairmanship aspirants. It has been generally discovered that it would serve the best interests of the PDP for the agreed zoning arrangements before the Port Harcourt  convention creation of the Makarfi caretaker committee be adhered to. Given his position in the scheme of things, Governor Wike should be a national leader rather than championing tribal interests or desire to unilaterally hijack the control of the PDP. He should appreciate the futility of a unilateral control by him given the array of eminent leaders in the South East and South South like Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Governor Seriake Dickson, Governor Ben Ayade and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others.

Preliminary consensus amongst major South West stakeholders inclusive of the chairmanship aspirants is for the South West to unite under one zonal exco. Thus, it is being proposed that the Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe and Dr. Eddy Olafeso zonal excos be harmonised into a generally acceptable wholesome zonal exco. In this light, a global meeting of over 250 eminent leaders is being proposed soonest at Ibadan, Oyo State, to fashion out a generally acceptable unified Yoruba position in the PDP.

CONCLUSION
I have no personal issues with anybody as my guiding principles have always been equitable justice, disdain for impunity and adherence to the Rule of the Law. I love my people very dearly and I have readily been working for them. Also, my people evidently love me so much that my winning election is not predicated on party platform. I am therefore constrained to always work for the greater interest of my people. A lot of PDP leaders are this loved and lucky with their people, thus we need to be extremely careful not to frustrate people out of PDP because of impunity. A stitch in time saves nine.

Signed:
Senator Buruji Kashamu,
Ogun East Senatorial District

13.11.17