By OMONIYI SALAUDEEN
The end to the lingering crisis within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not in sight. A thick cloud of uncertainty and confusion is still hanging over the fate of the so-called largest party in Africa. Nobody is sure of when enough will be enough, as neither of the two sides of the feud is ready to shift grounds.
In the last couple of weeks, there have been speculations about the reconciliation talks going on between Bamanga Tukur-led old PDP and the splinter group (new PDP) headed by Kawu Baraje. Whatever level of success that might have been recorded so far, there is no doubt that the latest judgment of the Appeal Court which reinstated former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as the national secretary of the party is already a major setback to the final resolution of the crisis. Oyinlola was sacked as the scribe of the PDP on January 11, 2013 by Justice Abdul Kafarati of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. Relying on a suit filed by the Chairman of Ogun State PDP, Adebayo Dayo, the presiding judge held that the election of Oyinlola did not follow due process and he should therefore vacate the party's exalted office immediately.
But the appellate court, in its judgment on the appeal suit filed by Oyinlola on Wednesday, November 6, set aside the order of the Federal High Court and held that Oyinlola was validly elected as the PDP national secretary. The presiding judge, Justice Joseph Tor, maintained that Oyinlola was not given fair hearing in the suit filed by the Ogun State chapter of the party. Not only that, the judgment has stalled the reconciliation process, it has also further widened the gulf between the new and old PDP.
The PDP National Working Committee in apparent disregard of the judgment on Monday announced the immediate suspension of Oyinlola, chairman of the new PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, former Deputy National Chairman, Dr Sam Sam Jaja and North-West Chairman, Ibrahim Kazaure. Oyinlola was the national secretary of the new PDP until his recent reinstatement by the Appeal Court.
Addressing newsmen at the party's headquarters in Abuja on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said PDP, in line with section 58(1,b,h,i) of its constitution, suspended the listed officers for breach of the party's constitution. The quoted sections, according to him, involve offences like forming parallel party structures, walking out of lawfully constituted meetings and acting in any manner likely to bring the party into disrepute.
Metuh explained that delayed action on the affected officers was occasioned by the search for unity as well as engagement on Anambra election and foreign tours. He added that the NWC had recommended them for disciplinary action.
The NWC in a statement issued by Metuh disclosed that it had written to INEC to inform it of the suspension of the four members of the faction. The statement reads in part: "The National Working Committee, in a letter dated November 12, 2013 and signed by the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, informed INEC of the suspension of the above mentioned individuals on Monday, November 11, 2013 for engaging in anti-party activities in violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution."
"The decision of the NWC was in exercise of its powers under section 57 (3) of the PDP constitution, 2012 (as amended) and in the overall interest of the party and its members".
In a counter move to reclaim his position, Oyinlola has also written to INEC and the party secretariat to inform them of the appeal court judgment and his readiness to take full charge of his responsibilities. "The letter addressed to the commission reads:" I present to you my very warm and sincere compliments. As you may be aware, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division has nullified the January 11, 2013 judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja which removed me from office as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The directive of the court was implemented by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, which consequently struck out my name off its register and other documents, as the National Secretary of the PDP.
"Your records would reveal that I was validly elected into office as National Secretary at the national convention of PDP held on Saturday, March 24, 2012. You are requested to kindly note this development and reflect it accordingly in your records, in compliance with the court judgment delivered on Wednesday, November 06, 2013."
A similar letter sent to the National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwom, demanding full compliance with the court judgment, also reads, "with the constitution of the PDP, I am expected to sign all official correspondences emanating from the PDP national secretariat as the Chief Administrative and Accounting Officer of the PDP".
Although INEC has not reacted officially to Oyinlola's request, there are feelers that the commission might have resolved to stay out of the crisis and maintain the status quo. A source close to the authority told Sunday Sun that concern of the commission was not to meddle in internal affairs of the party. "The commission has reviewed the whole issue and we have resolved not to allow the party to drag us into a matter that has to do with its internal affairs. We have much more responsibilities than that," he said.
It is an unfolding drama. But the question is who blinks first? Dr Tunji Abayomi, a renowned constitutional lawyer, said the action of the NWC was a desperate move by the PDP leadership to frustrate Oyinlola. Speaking in an interview with Sunday Sun, he said, "It is an attempt to frustrate Oyinlola. And it should not be at all cost. Political parties also have the responsibility to learn to toe the path of peace, respect for the rule of law and also be humbled."
Abayomi, therefore, advised Oyinlola to re-approach the court to render his suspension null and void. "He should go back to court to render his suspension null and void," he added.
Oyinlola belongs to the new PDP which has already been declared illegal by the court. With the latest development, it appears that the ongoing reconciliation effort to bring back the group to the larger fold has irretrievably broken down. The chance of a quick resolution of the conflict is getting slimmer by the day. Already, speculation is rife that the splinter group, including seven recalcitrant governors may eventually pitch tent with All Progressive Congress (APC), if the option of peace dialogue fails. In a bid to expand its sphere of influence, APC leadership has been criss-crossing the states controlled by the aggrieved governors so as to woo them to their camp.
But a legal icon and chieftain of the PDP, Chief Richard Akinjide, in an interview with Sunday Sun dismissed the threat of APC asimaginary. He expressed optimism that the crisis would soon be a thing of the past. His words: "I don't believe there is crisis in the PDP. Politics is about conflict resolution. You cannot have peace in all political parties 100 percent. You have some things to discuss. That is what is happening in America, Great Britain and others. So, we are not doing what others have not done. I hope we will continue to grow from strength to strength."
"I have no doubt that PDP will remain dominant and will definitely win the next election. Even if the seven aggrieved governors decide to pitch their tent with the APC, it is the people of Nigeria who will decide not the governors. What is critical is the vote of the people. And I have a very good reason to believe that majority of Nigerians want PDP."
Also, a member of the team canvassing for re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, Gen David Jemibewon, said the party will come out stronger. He said, "Those who are enemies today may be friends tomorrow. Those who are friends today may be enemies tomorrow.
We have a machinery in place for settlement of misunderstanding among party members. We have seen countries where there have been wars and people think it can never be the same again for them and they are able to overcome it. And this is very much minute compared to war. In fact, if well handled, it could make the party stronger because everybody would have learnt a lot of lessons through the experiences they have gone through during the crisis period."
Oyinlola's camp believes that PDP will destroy itself if it fails to respect the court judgment and return to the path of peace. A source close to the presidency told Sunday Sun that the suspension order slammed on the former Osun State governor is already raising dust within the party hierarchy. It was reliably gathered that the president had earlier given an order for reinstatement of Oyinlola as a demonstration of his commitment to the rule of law mantra of the administration. But the order was reversed because of the protest from South West PDP which complained that the directive would amount to humiliation of the executive in the region.
As a pre-emptive measure, the South West PDP has decided to challenge the judgment of the Appeal Court at the Supreme Court. Until all the matters are settled, peace will certainly remain elusive to the party.
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