The self-style largest party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be counting its losses since Alhaji Bamanga Tukur assumed office as the national chairman of the party 21 months ago. A staunch supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan who literally foisted him on the party, Tukur has unrepentantly displayed dictatorial tendencies, chastising  with scorpion every “recalcitrant” member that refuses to identify with the wishes and aspirations of his benefactor.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was the first victim of Tukur’s draconian leadership of the PDP. Governor Amaechi’s problem stemmed from the fact that he was not happy that Rivers State was being subjected to untold hardship and deprivation under President Jonathan, an illustrious son of the Niger Delta who is married to a Rivers daughter. The governor had complained of lack of federal projects in Rivers State under President Jonathan’s government; the ceding of Rivers oil wells to neighbouring  states- Bayelsa, Abia and Akwa Ibom; non-refund of N103 billion  expended on the rehabilitation of federal roads; the abandonment of the federal government’s skills acquisition centre in Rivers State which was graciously approved by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua; the relocation of zonal Airforce base to Baylesa which was originally earmarked for Rivers State by late President Yar’Adua; the president’s refusal to approve the construction of the NLNG Tran Seven in Bonny that will provide 10,000 jobs for Rivers people etc.

Hear him: “It has to do with the interest of Rivers State. It has nothing to do with my interest. There is an attempt by the Federal Government to undermine the development of Rivers State. Everybody is talking about Soku oil wells. There are over 41 oils belonging to Rivers State which have been ceded to Abia State.

“I have told the president that if he returns the oil wells, I will support him. But he cannot. It does not matter whether I go back to the PDP or not, I will support him. He has not been able and he will not. If he thinks it will favour me, then let him keep the money in an escrow account and give it to the next government in Rives State. What I want to see done is the fact that our resources are returned to us.

“Now, there is no money in the escrow account, because Bayelsa State has expended the money. Even if we go to court today and the court says we are right, there is no money in the escrow account again. So, it is a hopeless and helpless situation for Rivers State”.

Governor Amaechi must not go unpunished for expressing his consternation over the injustice meted out to Rivers people.

Consequently, the leadership of the party in the state that was loyal to him was replaced with Bro Felix Obuah-led executive following a controversial court ruling in Abuja. Governor Amaechi was also suspended from PDP for anti-party activities a few days after he was re-elected as the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) against the wishes of the presidency. The police in the state as well turned against him.

While some members of the party who were equally disenchanted with Tukur’s high handedness kept mum for fear of persecution by the powers-that-be some others called his bluff and staged a walkout from the PDP convention last year to form the new PDP.

Although, the PDP had experienced several crises in the past the recent development where serving governors, 37 members of House of Representatives and other chieftains of the party and their supporters defected to the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC) has humbled and deflated its ego. It is pertinent   to note that PDP is now in the minority in the House of Representatives and has been losing its members in droves to the APC.

Gripped with trepidation, the PDP governors and other chieftains of the party have decided to do the needful to save the party from impending doom. To this end, a crucial meeting of the party has been slated for January 17 following a threat by a large number of PDP senators to dump the party for good.

It was reported that members of the National Executive Council had raised six posers that would be addressed by the Tukur-led executive at the meeting. The posers are follows: What accounted for the breach of the PDP’s constitution on convening of NEC meeting? What informed arbitrary and illegal suspension of top PDP members, including governors, and high handedness of Tukur? The rationale for unilateral dissolution of State Executive Councils by Tukur and NWC. Why did Tukur’s NWC usurp NEC’s powers on appointment of Disciplinary Committee for the PDP at the national level? Tukur’s position on the grievances of governors and ways to prevent more defectors and the party’s perspective on court rulings on the office of the National Secretary of the party.

From the fore-going it is clear that the Tukur-led executive was constituted for a special mission. A situation where decisions were taken in violation of the PDP constitution with the sole purpose of protecting the vaulting ambition of an individual at the expense of the party was most unreasonable. Tukur alone should not be upbraided for the implosion in the PDP which resulted in the mass defection of its members to the APC, but all those who failed to speak out when they should are equally to blame.

However, it is commendable that some members of the party have realized that the party is gradually losing grip on power. While it is not expected that the PDP will rule Nigeria ad infinitum the party members should not sacrifice the political fortunes of the PDP on the altar of avarice and egoism.

At the forthcoming NEC meeting, they should be bold enough to call a spade, a spade, no matter whose ox is gored. If they are convinced at the end of the day that Tukur is the festering sore that has brought ill-health to the ruling party, the NEC members should summon up courage to take decisive  action that will resuscitate their party.

Again, the emergence of the APC and the defection of their members to the rival party should be seen as a welcome development. The NEC members should also at that meeting address the issue of fighting so many wars at time when they should be preparing for the general election that is fast approaching. Having benefited from the defections of serving governors and legislators in recent past the PDP should learn to be a good loser by withdrawing the case it instituted in the court of law against those who left its fold to the APC.

The party has already made a grievous mistake by not nipping the crisis in the bud. However, it should begin to strategise on how to reposition itself to regain the confidence of Nigerians in the nearest future. Bonne annee!

Reward Akwu