Editor's Note: Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta. In this opinion article, he explains why Ali Modu Sheriff must not be in a hurry to occupy PDP secretariat in Abuja. He, however, said the moves of Sheriff are indicative that he is acting a script put together by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It will be very unreasonable for Alhaji Modu Sheriff to resume work at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat after the Port Harcourt Appeal Court judgment when as a matter of fact the Senator Ahmed Makarfi Caretaker Committee has lodged both notice of appeal and injunction pending appeal respectively, on Monday February 20th, three days after the ruling.
The parties have come thus far with conflicting court judgments which is why the Sheriff faction must not be in a hurry to forcefully take over the party secretariat by relying on the Port Harcourt Appeal Court judgment. This is supposed to be an internal crisis where party interest is considered far and above few individuals or tiny group interests.
Ali Modu Sheriff is ready to fight to finish
It follows that since notice of appeal and injunction have been duly filed, Sheriff and his group ought to have waited and be extremely patient for the outcome of the appeal so that the winner at the apex will take charge of the party secretariat. Again, party interest must supersede personal or group interests. The position of party national chairman should not be for mere showmanship or ego massaging.
From the way Modu Sheriff is conducting himself in the matter, it is very easy to deduce from his body language that some very powerful forces are solidly behind his actions as can be seen from the unfortunate incident where security operatives had to prevent the Makarfi Caretaker Committee from holding their meeting at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The signal from that action portends grave danger for the survival of democracy in Nigeria because of the negative effects of a one party system in constitutional democracy.
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If the APC national government succeeds in silencing PDP in the political arena, Nigeria may never have a vibrant opposition for many years to come thereby indirectly operating a one party system in Nigeria.
The African Union and the United Nations must see to it that the ruling party at the centre in Nigeria does not destroy or strangulate survival of democracy in the most populous nation in the black continent.
Ahmed Makarfi has greater support by the PDP leaders
APC and President Muhammadu Buhari do not need 36 states under APC to rule Nigeria. A democratic system without a strong opposition can best be described as a one party state and it is a big threat to the survival of constitutional democracy.
It has been widely speculated that Sheriff and his men are acting a script written by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to fuel acrimony and endless incurable internal squabbles as a divisive strategy to weaken the political strength of PDP.
This is why Modu Sheriff must disabuse the minds of those who strongly believe that his group is now a mere divisive tool of the ruling party, used as the devil’s poison to ruin the political structures of PDP from the national to Ward levels.
The truth is that it’s going to be a fruitless exercise for anybody or a faceless invisible cabal in government to destroy the biggest party in Africa, the PDP.
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Therefore, the international community, United Nations, African Union and civil society groups must rise up to the defense of democracy in Nigeria, by condemning the moves by some powerful forces to intentionally frustrate and destroy the political strength of a vibrant opposition so as to enthrone a one party system.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Abubakar, must look at the issues critically and seek legal opinion from the Attorney-General's office in this matter. He must ensure that the PDP secretariat is not hijacked by certain self-serving individuals especially Modu Sheriff and his tiny group, until the final determination of the appeal before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Ahmed Makarfi and Modu Sheriff: Who will surrender at the end?
Viewed from past precedents, we know that once there is valid court injunction pending appeal, parties must follow the entire process and legal procedures till the end and the final verdict in this case shall be determined soon by the apex court.
The conflicting rulings in the Sheriff and Makarfi leadership tussle are sufficient proofs that something is fishing behind the scene which is why the parties must be patient and stay away from the party national secretariat pending the final ruling of the Supreme Court. This way, peace will be sustained among the parties, their political associates and supporters.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Inspector General of Police, should please take note and do the needful.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta
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