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  • Makarfi assures Ladoja, others of equal right in PDP

    Makarfi assures Ladoja, others of equal right in PDP

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, on Thursday commenced the fence meeting with all the aggrieved members of the party in Oyo State.

    Makarfi assured former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and other aggrieved members of equal right and level playing field in the PDP.

    The party chief gave this assurance when he and other members of the PDP Reconciliatory Committee visited Ladoja in his Ondo Street, Ibadan, residence.

    The former Kaduna State governor arrived Ladoja’s house at 12.57 p.m. in company of Chief Jerry Gana, Elder Wole Oyelese, Hon. Mulikat Adeola Akande, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, Hon. Muraina Ajibola, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Gbenga Daniel, Senator Abdul Ningi and other top chieftains of the party.

    The Accord members who welcomed Makarfi included Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Dr. Nureni Adisa, Dr. Nureni Adeniran and members of the state House of Assembly on the platform of Accord party.

    Ladoja, who is the National Leader of Accord party, however asked for a level playing field for him and his men.

    He said equal opportunity and rights is the only condition for joining the party.

    He said: “I don’t want to leave PDP. We were forced to leave PDP. Myself, Ngige and Fayose.

    “Mr. Chairman, what are the terms? If the terms are right and the term is that equality of everybody.

    “Ladoja is not coming to PDP, Ladoja and his people are coming. My colleagues in Accord, they are here, some members of Oyo State House of Assembly are here, have I spoken. We won eight seats in the state Assembly. That shows how strong we are.

    “I can say within the next two days, even next two hours, we can say come and raise our hands.

    “When we left PDP, we got a lot of offers. That is why we are in Accord. I want to assure you that it is the desire of everybody to send this government away.

    Makarfi said: “Politics is dynamic. The convention we planned, there is going to be constitution amendment to address the issue of internal democracy. Only last week, during the primary of our party in Anambra, we granted waiver to a gubernatorial aspirant. These issues you have raised.

    “Don’t nurse any fear, let’s start together. We have a committee which seeks to harmonise everybody; let’s start afresh.

    “You have not committed any offence to get amnesty. We want to integrate you back. It is better they get integrated under our leadership before the convention. The earlier the better.”

  • Makarfi and burden of repositioning PDP

    Makarfi and burden of repositioning PDP

    The Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been mandated to reposition the crisis-ridden opposition party. Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE examines the  task before the committee.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun the process of reconciliation. During its recent non – elective convention, the tenure of the Ahmed Makarfi – led National Caretaker Committee was extended till December. Having risen from the ashes of a 14-month leadership crisis that shook the party to its  foundation, the PDP may have learnt its lessons. Makarfi and his team are now confronting the challenge of rebuilding and repositioning the party. The team has been given a mandate to put in place a new National Working Committee (NWC). The setting up of the caretaker committee was a product of sound reasoning and deliberate planning. The members of the committee are known for their firmness and conviction, with no visible political baggage that could affect their objectivity and sense of judgment. To avoid conflict of interests, the Caretaker Committee has barred its members from seeking elective offices into the NWC. With the Anambra State governorship election in November, the first task before the party is to ensure the emergence of a credible candidate for the election. The Anambra chapter has the ugly reputation of being one of the most problematic among the state chapters. The state has been producing two parallel candidates at every election, with candidates emerging from two or three parallel primary elections. The last of the crisis in the chapter followed divisions among key stakeholders that lined up behind opposing camps controlled by the Uba brothers, Chris and Andy.

    But, tension appears to have simmered, following the defection of Senator Andy Uba to the All Progressives Congress (APC) a few months ago. Andy went to the APC with his loyalists. His brother, Chris, had teamed up with the Ali Modu Sheriff faction against the Makarfi group. The July 12 judgment of the Supreme Court that sacked Sheriff has put the Chris Uba faction in disarray, forcing some of his loyalists to seek accommodation in the Makarfi-led leadership. With the Osun State governorship election coming up next year, shortly after the Ekiti poll, the state executive is also not in proper shape. With the mandate of the convention, the Makarfi team is to ensure the emergence of a credible executive committee for the state. The same goes for the Adamawa, Kebbi, Borno, Kwara, Lagos and Ogun State chapters where Sheriff succeeded in erecting parallel executive committees. This is to prevent a repeat of the Ondo scenario where the Sheriff camp threw spanners in the works by presenting a parallel candidate, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim. The party’s authentic candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, suffered grievous political injury from the Sheriff camp, until the Supreme Court finally cleared him for the race at the eleventh hour. By this time, the PDP had lost rhythm in the campaign and the rest is history. The party is still sulking over the loss. To lay a solid foundation for repositioning the PDP, Makarfi and his men must  effect some fundamental reforms with a clear cut template in place. To ensure the supremacy of the party and the independence of its leadership, the position of “leader of the party” must be clearly defined. In democracies, the party’s national chairman is the recognised leader of the party. However, in the case of the PDP, former President Olusegun Obasanjo arrogated the position to himself, obviously to enable him control the party leadership. Chairmen of state chapters have continued to function as mere errand boys of the governors. The aberration continued with Umaru Yar ‘Adua through the Goodluck Jonathan years. This reduced the party chairman to a mere appendage of the President. And when the PDP lost the 2015 presidential election, the party was left without a “leader”, leading to conflict of interests among the members of the NWC. The then Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, became Acting Chairman after the exit of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, who was forced out of office after the 2015 elections .

    Secondus was to act for a period of six months within which the party was to produce a candidate from the North East geopolitical zone to replace Mu’azu. But, personal ambition took the better part of Secondus and his fellow NWC members at the time. While Secondus was scheming to become the substantive chairman, his colleagues in the NWC were also plotting to grab other positions by working hard to ensure that their choice positions were zoned to their respective geo-political zones. The musical circus was still playing when a former presidential adviser, Ahmed Gulak, leading a handful of associates, stormed the party secretariat and declared himself the new party chairman. That was what jerked the PDP out of its slumber, leading to a flurry of missteps that produced Ali Modu Sheriff as chairman that almost took the party to the undertakers. Similarly, the Caretaker Committee is also mandated to effect amendment to the party’s constitutional with the view to check frivolous litigations by members against the party. The proposed amendment, will be tabled for ratification at the next convention in December. Distractions arising from such litigations have reminded one of the party’s main headaches at the national and state levels.

    The interim PDP leaders are also to tinker with the party’s constitution in respect of waivers. This is to allow flexibility to accommodate defector to the PDP, particularly the high profile members that defected to the ruling APC before the 2015 elections. There are indications that some of these former members who are holding top elective and appointive positions in the present government, may have been signaling their intention to rejoin the PDP. Some of these high profile politicians are not in good terms with the government in which they serve, while a few of them are locked in bitter feuds with their various governors.

    Much is expected of the Caretaker Committee in charting a new direction for the party. It is left to Makarfi and his team to demonstrate leadership by example with the conduct of the December elective national convention. Like other political parties, the history of the PDP has been that of impunity and imposition of candidates. This was partly responsible for the loss of the Presidency and many states in the 2015 general elections.

    Apparently, the first test for Makarfi and his team will come with the conduct of the elective national convention. To make the task easier, the various elective positions in the NWC have been zoned to the geo-political zones, with the position of chairman zoned to the South West. The remaining 15 elective positions have similarly been zoned, thereby saving Makarfi and his team the burden of sweating to zone the positions. The task of deciding which state picks what position has been left to the various leaderships at the zonal level. But since they are going to superintend the exercise, it is expected that Caretaker Committee will demonstrate the required disinterestedness in the conduct of the convention. They will also have to ensure that the zonal leadership are not given undue latitude to impose candidates. Curbing the excesses of the governors may pose the greatest challenge to Makarfi and his men. Being the ones paying the pipers, the governors will certainly want to dictate the tune. Their preferences are usually at variance with popular choices. The governors are known for their uncanny penchant for impunity, typified by imposition of candidates at party, local and  general elections. It is left for the committee to seek ways of expanding the sources of party funding with the relevant mechanism put in place for aggressive revenue generation through membership dues and other legitimate sources. The PDP has no visible revenue generating sources that the party could draw from at short notices. Going cap in hand to the governors and other wealthy chieftains for funds has eroded the independence of the leadership to take critical decisions when occasion demands. Makarfi is expected to lay a solid foundation in this regard. To lessen its burden, the committee has excused itself from the task of disciplining errant members, as the job has been assigned to a newly created Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Chief Tom Ikimi. Shortly after the Supreme Court judgement, Makarfi had declared amnesty for Sheriff and his loyalists, but he was quick to add that any other intransigence against the party after the apex court’s judgment will attract sanctions. Also in place is a reconciliation committee which is headed by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. He is expected to be the arrow head of the party’s efforts to reconcile aggrieved members and to woo those that defected to other political parties back to the fold. The future stability of the PDP will largely depend on how Makarfi and his team handle the assignment on their hands. For now, the team enjoys a great deal of goodwill and support from  critical organs and prominent party chieftains in the various quarters across the federation. Going by the prevailing sober mood in the party, the committee is receiving the required cooperation from the generality of  members.

    In June, the PDP contested and won the Osun West senatorial bye election while the party was still undergoing tumult. This has obviously buoyed the party’s determination to make impressive showing at the next election. It may also serve as rejuvenating tonic for the Caretaker Committee and give it the required fillip.

    The Makarfi team parades a good number of individuals that have demonstrated a great deal of commitment and restraint. The chances of making the much needed difference will depend on the ability of the leadership and members of the team stick by the books. On the other hand, it also depends on the willingness of the various power blocs to submit themselves to the rules. It’s too early to tell how far Makarfi and his team can go in putting the PDP on sound footing.

  • I didn’t meet Fayose, Makarfi, says Oni

    I didn’t meet Fayose, Makarfi, says Oni

    •APC chief decries hate campaign on social media

    Former Ekiti State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olusegun Oni, has decried what he called “attacks from within” by those allegedly uncomfortable with his ambition in next year’s governorship race.

    He accused some people of attempting to pull him down.

    The former governor said the alleged attacks on him were only making him more popular.

    Oni, who said he was not desperate to become governor again, stressed that his fate and that of other aspirants jostling for APC’s ticket would be decided by delegates at the party’s primary in the first quarter of 2018.

    Addressing reporters at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Oni denied holding “secret” meetings with Governor Ayo Fayose at a hotel in Lagos on the possibility of defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to realise his ambition, as alleged on various posts in the social media.

    The former governor also denied holding a meeting with PDP’s National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, at his (Oni’s) home in Ifaki-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area.

    He urged his supporters and other people in Ekiti State not to believe the rumour and hate campaign against him by those he described as “faceless individuals” on the social media.

    Oni said he would not be distracted from selling his ideas on a better Ekiti to the electorate.

    The former governor said some people petitioned the party’s national secretariat to compel him to step down immediately as Deputy National Chairman (South), adding that APC’s constitution allows him to remain in that post one month before the primary.

    He said: “The attacks are from within the party, and most of them are coming from the social media. But I am not bothered at all because whatever that will be good will be rough initially. Some people have been given the assignment to pull me down.

    “The good will triumph over the evil. I want to say categorically that I will not be discouraged. Anybody who does not want Oni will either contest against him or support an aspirant. I am not desperate to be governor. I will leave (my post) when the (party’s) constitution says I should leave.

    “By saying I met Fayose at a hotel in Lagos and Makarfi in my house in Ifaki, these people are overpricing me. = I feel honoured if they continue to say that. The last one-on-one I had with Fayose was a day after Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo was buried, when I brought the invitation from the Borisade family. I congratulated him for the honour done Baba Adebayo.

    “I have never had one-on-one with Makarfi. But if they are saying he was in my home, I feel honoured. Those saying this have nothing to sell. But I have told my people not to abuse or attack anybody. If they have the product that is sellable, they should continue to sell it.”

     

     

  • PDP gives Makarfi four months extension

    PDP gives Makarfi four months extension

    • We would have managed economy better, says Jonathan
    •APC’s performance is below par – Makarfi

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday granted the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee a tenure extension of four months to enable it conduct a proper national convention to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC).

    The new NWC is expected to be in place by December, according to the consensus of delegates to the non-elective national convention which took place in Abuja yesterday.

    It was the first by the party since the Supreme Court proclaimed Senator Makarfi as the authentic leader of the party.

    Makarfi, addressing the gathering yesterday said the party still has much to offer Nigeria and will outperform the All Progressives Congress (APC) if given the opportunity to rule again.

    Immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan who also addressed the forum dismissed suggestions that the national economy would have collapsed if the PDP had remained in power at the centre.

    Makarfi promised that PDP, if given another chance in 2019, would introduce a students’ loan scheme to alleviate the suffering of students and their parents.

    “There will be no hunger because there will be plenty to eat. There may be plenty in the market but you have zero cash in your pocket. Under PDP, there will be cash in your pocket because you have earned the cash”, Makarfi said.

    He prayed for quick recovery for ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the PDP would be looking forward to defeating him in the 2019 presidential election.

    Said he,  “We mean well for our President. We will continue to pray for his full recovery. We want him to be fit and on seat when we will defeat the APC government come 2019.

    “We will continue to pray for him but that doesn’t mean we will go to sleep. We will work hard to replace the APC government come 2019 God willing.”

    Jonathan said policies initiated by his administration were rewarding to the people and attractive to many other countries across the globe.

    “We had a strong team that was managing the economy of the country. If we say that we rekindled hope in our people and gained international goodwill, it is because we pursued a number of policies, programmes that were not only readily rewarding to our people, but also attractive to many other countries across the globe,” he said.

    “When I read the papers and people always want to deride PDP, it is difficult to beat the PDP. No one can beat us. I can remember that right from the days of former Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua through to the Jonathan days, we have done well. Nobody should intimidate you.

    “We provided focused leadership through sectoral and institutional reforms which impacted positively on the fundamentals for growth, especially in the last four years of our stay in power.

    “The effect was that we tamed inflation at a single digit, maintained price stability, built the economy to become the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of more than half a trillion Dollars and the number one foreign direct investment destination in Africa”

    The convention dissolved the PDP executive councils in Anambra, Adamawa, Borno, Kebbi, Kwara, Osun, Ogun and Lagos where previous congresses to elect leaders for the chapters ended in disagreements.

    A caretaker committee to run the affairs of the Anambra chapter where two parallel executives existed, was set up, with one of the factional chairmen, Ken Emeakayi suspended for one month.

    The chairman of the convention planning committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, declared that with yesterday’s successful convention, the PDP has returned with a bang.

    Okowa said: “We are rebounding back. We must realize that there is a champion in each and every one of us in the party, and that a collective leadership and partnership, resolved to do things right is all that we need to build the strength to recapture power.

    “We cannot shy away from the fact that there are lessons to be learnt also.

    With our defeat at the presidential election, the loss of many states at the governorship election, and the slide into minority in the National Assembly came the sobering lesson that the PDP had become a victim of its own success.”

     

     

     

  • Jonathan greets Makarfi at 61

    FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Senator

    Ahmed Makarfi on the occasion of his 61st birthday.

    In a message of felicitation to Makarfi, Jonathan described him as deeply committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

    He also thanked God for sustaining the party chairman and positioning him to play key roles in the affairs of the nation.

    Jonathan, who conveyed this in a statement issued by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, further stated that Makarfi had made significant contributions towards Nigeria’s growth.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of my family, I wish to most sincerely congratulate you on your 61st birthday.

    “We thank God for his grace in not only sustaining you, but also positioning you to play key roles in the affairs of our nation.

    “Your contributions towards the realisation of the development goals

    of our dear country are quite significant. Whether as a governor, legislator or party leader, you have acquitted yourself well as a patriot who has made indelible marks with manifest dedication to national development.”

  • Makarfi committed to democracy – Jonathan

    Makarfi committed to democracy – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday described the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, as someone that is deeply committed to the strengthening of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Jonathan, who stated this in a message to Makarfi on his 61st birthday, thanked God for sustaining the party chairman and positioning him to play key roles in the affairs of the nation.

    In the statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, the former President said Makarfi had made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development.

    The statement said: “On behalf of my family, I wish to most sincerely congratulate you on your 61st birthday.

    “We thank God for His grace in not only sustaining you, but also positioning you to play key roles in the affairs of our nation.

    “Your contributions towards the realization of the developmental goals of our dear country are quite significant. Whether as a governor, legislator or party leader, you have acquitted yourself well as a patriot who has made indelible marks with manifest dedication to national development.

    “You are a bridge builder who has displayed uncommon wisdom and deep commitment to the strengthening of our democracy and national growth.

    “I join your family and numerous admirers to wish you more productive years in your determination to see Nigeria evolve into a nation of our collective dreams.”

  • PDP chair Makarfi in auto crash

    PDP chair Makarfi in auto crash

    The chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, was on Friday involved in a multiple auto accident.

    The accident, which reportedly occurred along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, was as a result of collision of the vehicle the chairman was traveling in with other vehicles.

    A statement by the spokesman of the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye, however, maintained that Makarfi and others traveling with him in the vehicle escaped unhurt.

    “We are happy to report that fortunately, the Distinguished Senator and all other passengers in his vehicle came out unhurt. This is to allay the fears of our party members, teeming supporters and well wishers who heard of the accident and have been making frantic calls; as well as those who may stumble on half-baked information,” it read.

  • Makarfi in auto crash

    Makarfi in auto crash

    The chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, was on Friday involved in a multiple auto accident along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

    The accident followed the collision of the vehicle the chairman was traveling in with other vehicles.

    A statement issued by the spokesman of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, however said Makarfi and others traveling with him in the vehicle escaped unhurt.

    “However, we are happy to report that fortunately, the distinguished Senator and all other passengers in his vehicle came out unhurt. This is to allay the fears of our party members, teeming supporters and well- wishers who heard of the accident and have been making frantic calls; as well as those who may stumble on half-baked information,” the statement added.

  • PDP dissolves factional executive committees in Anambra

    PDP dissolves factional executive committees in Anambra

    The Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday dissolved the two factional executive committees in the Anambra state chapter of the party.

    The dissolution was announced by the chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, after a consultative meeting with party stakeholders from Anambra at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

    Makarfi, who cited Section 31, (2)(e) of the party’s constitution to back the dissolution, said a caretaker committee would be set up to run the affairs of the state’s chapter of the PDP, pending the election of a substantive executive committee for the chapter.

    “To this end, all party stakeholders, (leaders and other members) are hereby enjoined to bury all their differences and join hands together in unity towards the victory of the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State,” Makarfi said.

    The Anambra state chapter has witnessed protracted leadership crisis following divisions among key stakeholders that lined up behind opposing camps controlled by the Uba brothers – Chris and Andy

    But tension appeared to have died down following the defection of Senator Andy Uba to the All Progressives Congress (APC) few months ago.

    He went to the APC with his loyalists.

    His brother, Chris, had earlier teamed up with the Ali Modu Sheriff faction against the Makarfi group for the 14 months that the Sheriff-Makarfi face -off lasted.

  • Makarfi: beyond the victory

    hose hitherto worried by the lingering crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must have heaved a heavy sigh of relief at the Supreme Court’s validation of the leadership of the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee.

    Before now, a dark cloud hung around the future of the main opposition party due to the crisis that erupted at its last national convention in Port Harcourt. Its outcome, pitched the former national chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff against the caretaker committee which enjoys the support of the mainstream organs of the party. Efforts to evolve a political solution proved abortive due mainly to the intransigence of Sheriff. He had insisted on certain conditions the Makarfi group and key organs of the party deemed unacceptable.

    Judicial solution seemed preferable especially after the case had run through the Appeal Court, surprisingly in favour of Sheriff and his picked loyalists. Buoyed by his victory at the Appeal Court, Sheriff became something else, defied reason and wriggled to foist himself on the majority without regard to its repercussions on the unity and survival of that party.

    Tempers rose so high especially after the last effort by former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja to evolve a political solution. Sheriff walked out of the meeting and it became obvious that court option remained the only solution even as it goes with uncertainties and certain risks. The court option offered two possibilities with different payoff – Sheriff wins and Makarfi loses and the vice versa.

    But each of these possibilities goes with a different set of consequences for the party. The first option of Sheriff winning at the Supreme Court is loaded with grave danger for the survival of the party. Sheriff does not enjoy the support of any of the organs of the party. He neither has the support of the PDP governors, the Board of Trustees nor the national executive committee. Elected members of the party in the National Assembly and former ministers are against him. He could not even count on the staff of the party. Not only did these organs oppose him publicly, they swore never to work with him again accusing him of being a mole to destabilize the party for self-serving interests.

    It was obvious that even if the court judgment went in favour of Sheriff, the Makarfi group, together with all the key organs of the party would leave him with carcass of the party to inherit. There were even speculations that the group already had a plan B in its kitty, should the worst case scenario play out. In fact, it was rumoured that the group had registered a new political party so as not to be taken unawares especially given the jolt they suffered by the outcome of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    Though the Makarfi group had serially denied this, but the body language of its officials continues to point to that direction. What this underscores is that victory for Sheriff would have led to the disintegration of the party. That prospect was indeed very high. In an article in this column titled “PDP without the people”, I had ruminated on a scenario where Sheriff came victorious and the likely outcome of events. The main thesis of that presentation was that Sheriff’s victory would amount to a coup against the people and a destruction of the PDP.

    He could cling on to power; commence recruitment of sundry characters to confer contrived legitimacy to his leadership but all that will lead the party only to a predictable path-destruction. That was bound to be the eventual outcome of victory for Sheriff. Yes; the Makarfi group could float another political party, strive to position it for the challenges ahead. But they would have lost much time. Sheriff, in his new position, would rave up the spoiler game making it difficult for the splinter party to have a smooth and quick sail.

    Opposition would have been rendered prostrate because Sheriff’s PDP would not be able to muster enough muscle to mount a serious challenge while the splinter party would battle with organizational challenges. There would be no strong alternative platform in the coming national elections. This country’s democracy with its increasing slide to one party state would have been worse for it.

    The second possibility of Makarfi emerging victorious is the outcome we now contend with. By that victory, the danger of mass exodus through an alternative platform has been clearly foreclosed. The party will continue from where it stopped since all its organs, structures and properties are intact. It enjoys the support of its governors and that will make things a lot easier. It will inherit all there is to the PDP and move fast to reposition for the challenges ahead. But the roadmap is not going to be that smooth.

    Sheriff and his band of supporters are not in short supply of options. They could find accommodation in any party of their choice or float another political party entirely. But they will not be able to make any meaningful impact for lack of numbers. They will not make any difference if they pitch their tent with any of the exiting parties with the exception of the ruling party. Their strength in sustaining the fight lay solely in capturing the PDP brand in a coup fashion and deploying it to whatever end it pleased them. Once that vaulting ambition failed, all their calculations collapsed like a pack of cards.

    Aligning with the ruling party is also fraught with serious danger.  It will lend ample support to the accusation that Sheriff was all along working for the government. That will dent whatever is left of his credibility and cast some slur on the ruling party for attempting to muscle opposition through unwholesome means. Even the ruling party will be reluctant to admit him at this point in time. That is the credibility baggage Sheriff has to contend with at least for now. He had good opportunities for a fair bargain but blew it all.

    But they still have the option of finding accommodation within the PDP. They could now seek reconciliation; an option they serially rebuffed through the obduracy of Sheriff. Good enough, the Makarfi PDP has sent an olive branch to all genuine members for reconciliation with a caveat that such will be based on fairness; equity and values. What these principles would translate to in actual terms is left to conjecture. They have also announced a policy of no victor, no vanquished. But contrary to the avowals of the new PDP leadership, there are winners and losers.

    It is a verity of the two person zero sum game. There are bound to be losers and winners. Sheriff is the loser and has to contend with the outcome of his short-sightedness. For dragging his party to the precipice, it is unlikely he will find favour in that party again. Given that the strength of political parties lies in their membership, the party would definitely need many of those in Sheriff’s camp. But it is likely going to be on the terms it will dictate. It would appear group negotiation with dissenting members does not offer much prospects any longer. The party could go ahead to resolve disagreements within some state chapters but it is unlikely to supplant their executives to accommodate the Sheriff group. That is where the loss actually begins.

    Beyond this victory, the PDP still has to contend with all the issues that brought about the current pass. Chief among them is impunity resulting in the imposition of candidates and inability to allow internal democracy to reign supreme. Apparently blinded by its hold on power, it had behaved as if it was above the people who at any rate remained the ultimate sovereign.

    The party must also come to terms with the reality that it lost elections and things are no longer the same again. It has to contend with the campaign mounted by the ruling party against it in the fight against corruption irrespective of the selectivity of that crusade. Its current challenges (though self-inflicted) provide a good opportunity for serious introspection.

    To make real progress and command the confidence of the people, it must strive to prove to Nigerians that it is no longer business as usual. The tea party is over. Nigerians are more than ever before eager to hold the government accountable. The Supreme Court verdict makes meaning only if it re-awakens the party to the primacy of the people as the fulcrum for democratic action.