ALL is not well with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The political behemoth is seized by a debilitating fratricidal war which has stretched to the limit the ability of its elders to make peace.
In one corner is Chairman Bamanga ‘I have forgiven all’ Tukur, backed by the Presidency, a few members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and some hangers-on in the corridors of power. On the other are governors. They are rooting for sacked National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is believed to be in the camp of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who suddenly threw in the towel as chair of the Board of Trustees (BOT) to launch blistering criticisms of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
The other day in Abeokuta, some party chiefs joined a ceremony in honour of Obasanjo. It was not meant to be an all-wine-and-dine affair. In fact, Obasanjo and Tukur were believed to have met briefly to discuss the PDP civil war. It was after the talks, according to a reliable source, who swore that he was briefed by another source, who claimed to know a source close to the talks, that Tukur told reporters that he had forgiven all those who offended him.
No communiqué was issued after the meeting, but Editorial Notebook ran into an old source – a truly reliable one, of course – who claimed to have met a friend of his whose maternal uncle was present at the talks. He pleaded not to be named because of the security implications of the matter.
Here is his unconfirmed account of the meeting: Tukur and some party chiefs sit in a room, waiting for Obasanjo, who walks in briskly, holding a file. He stretches out his hand to shake Tukur.
Obasanjo: Chairman, welcome. Thank you so much. Yaya de (How’re you?)
Tukur: I’m fine sir. I would like us to discuss these problems, Baba. It’s not good for people to think that we can’t settle our differences, despite the fact that we are blessed with elders like you; people who are experienced and you’re a major factor in the resolution of these matters. And (Obasanjo cuts in, raising his left hand).
Obasanjo: Please, please, Mr Chairman or whatever they call you. If there’s a crisis in your party, our party, what’s Obasanjo’s business in that? Am I still chairman of BOT? You see, if you want to hear the truth, I’ll tell you. Okay, tell me, is this whole thing not a self-inflicted accident? For instance, that boy…em em em, what’s his name now? Oyinlola. What did he do? You said a court asked you to remove him. On what basis? Forget the nonsense going on here in Ogun. It’s all fuelled by some despicable characters who think they can reap where they didn’t sow. Ignore them and let Oyinlola return. Is that not how to make peace?
And, baba, we’re disturbed by the way you attack the President nowadays. The other day you said he was too slow in his handling of Boko Haram and that when you faced such a problem in Odi you were…
Thank you, Mr Chairman. I don hear. Please, let’s move on. I don’t have any comment on that. If I criticise him nko? Don’t I have the right to talk? Is that why he unleashed his boys to be calling me a confused man? Haba! You look at it now. (He frowns, shaking his head).Today you say dialogue; tomorrow you send in soldiers. Is that how to be decisive? In any case, what did I say that I shouldn’t have said? That he’s slow? That he’s not decisive? That he should employ the carrot and stick system?
You see, sir, it is the office that we are talking about, that it deserves some respect from us all, no matter our grievances.
Okay. Thank you. You have forgotten that I once occupied that seat? Three times! (He raises three fingers and frowns again). And I tried my best. Our legacies are there for those who want to see them to see. We tackled corruption. Are they fighting corruption now? So, if I see anything, because of the office, I should keep quiet ba? Nobody can gag Obasanjo. And this is my position, oga chairman. Office my foot!
I’m here for peace. I want elders like you to help me rebuild this great party. That is why I’m here.
You see, this is a simple matter. Anybody who takes up a job, an office, appointed, elected or whatever, whatever. Hmm! Hmmm!(He clears his throat).And you discover that you can no longer do the job, that you lack the capacity to carry on, that you can no longer be decisive, you know what to do. If you say you don’t know what to do, that na your toro. Didn’t I quit the BOT job? It has not diminished my stature and ability to contribute generously to the development of our dear country and our great party. It is unfortunate now that you are having this mutiny, but I will always tell the truth, where there is no justice, there will be no peace. How can I be here as an elder of the party and some boys, some characters, nonentities are coming to you that they are the authentic leaders of our party and you’re listening to them?
They say you should remove the party secretary, that a court said so and you removed him, even when their case get ‘k leg’. And now you say you want peace; peace ko, piss ni.
Honestly, baba, we need to move on. Look at Ghana; they have just had an election and all is peaceful, but here we are tearing at each other as if we are at war and we call ourselves Africa’s biggest party.
Yes. Ghana is becoming a model. Don’t forget I was the chief observer at that election. I ensured that everything went on smoothly. The people listened to me. Some people alleged rigging, but I was there to clear the air. No rigging. Here, any little instruction, you people begin to misbehave. You start shouting ‘do-or-die’! If you’re not doing the right thing and people are talking, you must listen. We must remember one thing: action and reaction in physics are equal and opposite. It is so in human interaction. No reaction is greater than action; you know that and I know that.
Now, people are saying it’s all about 2015; the next general elections.
Oh! 2015? You mean some people are already positioning themselves for 2015? Are they performing now? I dey laugh o.
What is the way forward? We can’t continue like this. Elections will soon come. I am in a hurry to rebuild this party.
You see, a leader must step on toes. The issue of leadership is a great issue, especially for a country like Nigeria, if we’re going to move forward. And you can’t be a leader if you will not step on toes. Even if you’re a leader in a church or in the mosque, if you have to do what is right, you will occasionally step on toes. Leadership is a responsibility. And anybody who is not prepared to accept responsibility should go. Simple.
Baba, I see your point. I don’t think there is any deliberate plan to embarrass you because of what you say and…
Please (He raises his hand and voice) chairman, hold it. Please. Please. Hear me clearly, you can’t embarrass me. Nobody can embarrass Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo. Go and tell them. If anybody is planning any such thing, that is a joke taken too far. Good day and good luck in your self-appointed crusade to unite the party. He stands up to leave and his guests are forced to get set to leave.
Thank you sir. I take it that we have made some progress.
Super Eagles in South Africa
SOCCER fans were shocked on Monday when the Super Eagles failed to hold on to a 1-0 lead against Burkina Faso, conceding a last second goal to give the Burkinabes an equaliser they truly deserved. What went wrong?
The Eagles lacked strategy. They lost concentration and were confused. They were lucky to have escaped with a draw. They played like giants with little hearts. Now Nigerians have started cracking bitter jokes about the team’s fate. Here is one of such rib-crackers:
Judge to a child during a divorce case: Do you want to live with your mother?
Child: No
Judge: Why?
Child: She beats me
Judge: Okay. So, you want to live with your dad?
Child: No
Judge: Why not?
Child: He beats me too.
Judge: So, who do you want to live with?
Child: Super Eagles
Judge: Why?
Child: They never beat anyone!
I hope Stephen Keshi’s Eagles will prove this child wrong. They can do it.
