BETWEEN SHERIFF & MAKARFI, WHICH WAY PDP?

Biyi Samuel/ Akure

Hon Garo is a Senior Special Assistance (SSA) to the former Governor of Ondo state, the Idanre born politician ex rays the ongoing wrangling in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In this write up, he proffered likely solutions as the nation prepares for the 2019 general elections

The continued turmoil troubling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reduced the party to a shrivel of the giant it once claimed to be. Today in Nigeria, PDP still remains the opposition to the ruling APC in a political system that has migrated from a multi-party system in 1999 to almost a two-party system under the current prevailing system. It is even arguable that the country has a one-party system judging by the spate of defections to the APC. Some a joining thr APC for refuge from EFCC, others for their means of livelihood and sustenance.

On reflection, is PDP capable of performing the much needed role of opposition during these trying times in Nigeria? Whilst being embroiled in vicious court battles there seems no end in sight, even though commentators believe the anticipated Supreme Court ruling in the near future will finally bring an end to the power struggle between Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

Struggles for the coveted prize, the golden egg are not a new thing in politics or indeed in ordinary human coexistence. I took out time to read the biblical scriptures and refer you now to the Book of Kings and draw your attention to 1 Kings 4:16-28 and the wise ruling of King Solomon. It’s a well known story which we probably became familiar with in our Sunday Schools.

Isn’t it interesting that as in the days of King Solomon, two PDP chieftains would lay exclusive claim to the parental responsibility of the living child. In the instant case it is debatable how much life remains in PDP, nonetheless even if it is the shell that remains, the Supreme Court will soon tell us the legal custodian of the opposition party.

On my part as a dedicated party member I look at the body language of the main protagonist and ask some pertinent questions:

1. Now that PDP is in opposition who are the focus of our political attack?
2. What opposition has PDP posed to the APC-led federal government in the last 24 months?
3. Who is this lone voice in the wilderness, Mr Dayo Adeyeye the self acclaimed National Publicity Secretary, who is always in the news in onslaught of APC?
4. Who is the publicity secretary of the other faction?
5. Why is it that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Dr Cairo Ojougboh, the visible spokesmen of the Sheriff faction, only make the news when they are attacking the Makarfi-group rather than the APC?
6. Which of the two factions have been making complementary statements about the APC-led federal government, in direct conflict with their role as an opposition party?

Careful consideration of these and other crucial factors can only lead to one conclusion, then again body language may count for nothing. In the long run the panel of Supreme Court judges know best and we anxiously wait with bated breath.