The seven governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who joined other members of the party to form the new PDP have been advised to do all they can to settle their quarrel with the party, because outside the PDP, they don’t have any chance.
Former military governor of Kaduna State and social critic, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar who gave the advise noted that for the G-7 governors to think that they would have any chance within the All Progressive Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) will be stretching their luck too far.
He added however that he is sure the governors understands his position very well, “I am sure the dissenters also understand that they have no other party but the PDP. As attractive as their move to the APC or PDM may appear, their fate in those parties is too grim to even contemplate.”
“Can you for example imagine any party having the capacity to amicably accommodate Kwankwaso and Shekarau or Wamakko and Attahiru Bafarawa? What chance does anyone of them have in trying to displace Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as presidential candidate of the APC or Atiku Abubakar in the PDM? They are better advised to stay in the PDP and salvage it,” he said.
He however advised President Goodluck Jonathan to refrain himself from undue interference in some political activities and be ready to allow those opposed to his view express it and not act like a bully.
“The President is not a monarch – and by the way, even monarchs are made to face opposition and persuaded or forced to submit to popular will. The recent events in Warri are a pointer to this. He must therefore expect to meet some checks. I would for example, if I were to advise the President, caution him against appearing to be a bully.
“Nobody likes a bully, he is no doubt feared, but there are people who will always stand up to him. The President must avoid getting tied down by unnecessary and petty diversions like involvement in the election of the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
“The crisis in Rivers State is most worrying. There is absolutely no doubt that Governor Rotimi Amaechi has become an irritant to the President and his wife. But nowhere near what late governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi was to President Shehu Shagari.
“Shagari’s patient and mature management of the opposition should serve as a guide to President Jonathan and leaders at all levels. All those pretending to be in a fight with Amaechi on behalf of the President and his wife must desist. Minister of Education, Mr. Wike will serve the President better if he devotes his time to resolving the ASUU crisis.”
While advising the police authorities to immediately redeployed the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu on account of his overzealous attempt to ingratiate himself to the powers in Abuja, Umar advised Amaechi not to start seeing himself as the David that will kill Goliath.
“Governor Amaechi must be aware that he cannot emerge as a David in this conflict. It is in the best interest of Rivers State and Nigeria in general that he adopts a more conciliatory approach to disagreeing with the President.”
The retired miliraty officer considers the situation in Nigeria today as a state of war, advising that President Jonathan must be treated as a wartime president that deserves understanding and support, “To all intent and purposes, Nigeria is in a state of civil war. President Jonathan must be treated as a wartime President that deserves understanding and support.”
Describing the some of the G-7 governors are among the best governors in the country, Umar advised the PDP to find a better way to handling the crisis within its fold, “the PDP needs to address the grievances of all its disgruntled members. There is method to the stubbornness of the Amaechi’s, the Kwankwasos and Sule Lamido’s.”
“These are some of the most successful and accomplished governors in the country. The PDP should be proud of them. If there is any such group as the founding fathers of the PDP, Sule Lamido is a bonafide member of that group. He was there from the formative stage of the party, being a member of the G18.”
Umar however debunked insinuations that the stance of the G-7 governors represents the collective political opinion or interest of the North, describing such as a misconception. “There is a growing misconception that the opposition of the G7 Governors is a representation of the collective political opinion or interest of the North. If you have in mind the PDP zoning agreement, well that is dead and buried in 2011,” he said.
