Atiku Abubakar, PDP And The Nay-sayers -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

Politics is about authoritative allocation of values as scholars will put it. And that is about interest articulations and interest aggregation. Democratic governance allows for individual expression of interest and opinion. That means disagreements and negotiations are part of democratic politics since there are disparate interests. Generally, dissentions and disagreements are essential ingredients of democracy. But what exemplifies democracy is the procedure for this resolution of disagreements and crisis. In Democracy, dialogue, negotiations, arbitration, advocacy and legal adjudications are recognized ways of settling disputes and conflicts. It is on this note that I wish to congratulate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) board of trustee led by Walid Jibril for setting up a committee to resolve the lingering disagreement between the party’s standard bearer in upcoming election His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON) and some aggrieved members of the party notably, Governor Yesom Wike of River State.

Also, I wish to use this medium to congratulate the PDP family for the bold step they have taken so far aimed at rescuing Nigeria from the brink. One is the ongoing rebuilding process in the party which is strengthening the party structures and platforms. Two, is the choice of the presidential flag bearer.

The choice of Atiku Abubakar by the delegates as the party’s standard bearer is a clear demonstration of the party’s resolve to reclaim power and redeem Nigeria from total collapse. No doubt, the choice of Atiku by the party leaders was not just because of his contribution to the party or his enormous sacrifices for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria in the past but because he is one of the very few Nigerians with the clout, experience and political network to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that has pilloried the nation. The Wazirin Adamawa is a unifier, a bridge-builder, a statesman with the uncommon patriotic zeal to make sacrifices to make the nation work again.

When a colleague of mine Chief Gozie Irogboli in a widely syndicated article entitled: A Vote for Chanji, after the 2015 general election opined that that the main loser in that election wasn’t the then President Goodluck Jonathan but the PDP family and that the PDP is on the road to extinction and that the party PDP would be rebuild and rejuvenated only when the likes of Atiku returned to the fold, I did not give much thought to what he wrote then until the former vice-president and a founding member of the party returned to the party in 2017. The prediction of my percipient colleague was indeed accurate. The return of Atiku and others has added life and verve to the party. And if feelers coming from electorates and the woeful performance of APC are anything to go by, the PDP is on the verge of reclaiming power.

The PDP did it in 2019 before it was blatantly robbed through dubious and bizarre judicial process. And recently, it did it in Osun State. I believe that the PDP will come out stronger in 2023 despite the externally induced crisis ruffling the party.

Since the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON) as the PDP presidential candidate in the forthcoming election, some people have been palpably jittery. Chiefly among them is the ‘cult of generals’ as my colleague referenced above would put it. Others are the members of the APC fold and their stooges and moles in the PDP. Yes, since his emergence, there have bickering and pockets of disagreements here and there within the party fold especially concerning his choice of running mate.

And just as I have stated above, it is not unusual in a democratic setting. I am also elated by the steps taken so far by the party standard bearer to resolve the crisis. As a concerned Nigerian who is interested in the peace, unity and progress in this country, I appeal for calm and peaceful resolution of the issue at hand. The parties to this ‘artificial’ conflict must recognize that what is at stake is the survival of the party and the nation. The failure of PDP will ultimately translate to the failure of Nigeria. The APC regime is a national calamity. The continuance of this obnoxious regime would mean the failure of Nigeria as a country. And no well-meaning Nigeria would want APC especially as their presidential candidate has pledged to continue with the Buhari’s obnoxious policies and non-performance.

Indeed, this is the time for the PDP party faithful to close ranks and work for the success of the party. The party’s presidential flag bearer has made his choice of running mate. That is his prerogative. He has taken time at different for to explain why he made the choice of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. It is within his power to choose the candidate that shares his ideals and political philosophy. So, I advise the nay-sayers to sheath their swords. There are countless other positions that are available for negotiation. I earnestly advise those who feel aggrieved by Atiku’s choice of running mate to seek rapprochement. The interest of the nation and that of the party must take precedent over personal interest. The success of party at the Osun gubernatorial poll clearly shows that nobody is indispensable. Those thinking of defection to APC should have a rethink. APC is a party of confusion.

Those who erroneously migrated into it are not finding it easy. Many are finding their way out. APC is obviously the worst political platform that has ever been formed in the annals of Nigerian politics.

My people the Igbo where I am married have saying that “when a man says yes, his chi (God) will affirm that.” PDP it is time to say yes to unity. It is time to say yes to reclaiming power. It is time to say yes progress. You cannot afford to allow APC to continue to toy with the unity and destiny of this nation. Nigeria must be rescued to work again; to take it rightful place as the giant of Africa. This should be the goal of every patriotic Nigeria.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK