Politics
2023: Lagos PDP Unites For Future Polls
The reinstated Peoples Democratic Party Chairman in Lagos State, Dr Dominic Agboola, has called for unity of purpose ahead of 2023 and local government polls in the state.
Agboola, who was recently reinstated by a Lagos High Court, expressed his determination to stabilise the party during a news conference in Lagos.
The Tide reports that Justice Oyekan Abdullahi of the Lagos High Court had on June 23 removed Adedeji Doherty as Lagos State PDP chairman and reinstated Agboola as Chairman.
Agboola, who promised to adhere to party constitution and due process in running the party, said that members would be allowed to choose their leaders without violence and thuggery.
The chairman commended the long-suffering, dedicated and committed party members “despite the huge dark clouds that have hung over the party for the past twenty months.
“In rather bizarre circumstances, the peace and stability of our great party got rudely disturbed through avoidable wrongful actions and/or inactions which led to a protracted law suit, and which, by divine providence, came to an end some four days ago.
“In that period, our party has suffered severely under the sledgehammer of corruption unleashed on it by a sense of self-seeking, indecent, and unmitigated bravado.
“In those twenty months, indiscipline, total disregard of the party’s rules and constitution, among others, have disrupted the basis of our party’s promises to the people of Lagos State,” he said.
According to him, PDP is poised to reestablish the old and proper attitude where leaders, officers and representatives are elected at free and fair congresses and primaries, as prescribed by the extant provisions of the party’s constitution.
He called for a solid party structure and hardwork to boost the fortune of PDP in the state, especially in the forthcoming Lagos council polls.
“As the 2023 national elections stare the nation in the face, the PDP in Lagos State must work hard to contribute its fair quota to the pool of the winning streak that will be the portion of the party nationwide.
“To this end, the impending local government election in Lagos State provides an ample opportunity for the party to test-run its machinery towards 2023.
“The machinery includes the establishment of wards and polling booth structures in all the polling units throughout the state.
“It is a sure way to win many, if not all the chairmanship and councillorship positions available,” Agboola added.
According to him, party members who are aspiring for elective positions at PDP forthcoming congresses are directed to work to produce the councillor of their respective wards in the forthcoming council polls.
Agboola, who noted that PDP was determined to win as many councillorship and chairmanship seats as possible, assured candidates of logistics and other material support within the reach of the party.
He said that his leadership would ensure strict compliance with the ethos of good conduct and gentlemanly behaviour as enshrined in the party rule book.
The Tide reports that some of the chieftains of the party in attendance included, Prince Muiz Shodipe (the state secretary), Sen. Kofoworola Bucknor and Mr Taofik Gani, the State Publicity Secretary, among others.
The crisis within Lagos PDP is far from being over after the court judgement as an opposing group in the party vowed to appeal the judgement that reinstated Agboola.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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