How Supreme Court changed political equation with PDP verdict

Having secured the long awaited Supreme Court verdict, which
recognised the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee as the
authentic national leadership of the major opposition, Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, analysts are of the opinion
that decision has changed political calculations in the country
especially in the preparations for the 2019 general elections.
Indeed the judgment have brought fresh airs into the political
scene as many political parties are now prepared to ensure that
party supremacy is placed above individuals who through their
wealth, always want to hijack party structure.

Based on the judgment also, many parties seem to have come to
the conclusion that whatever decision reached by their national
convention is final.
Another critical thing is that the judgment had since spurred the
leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the
reality of possible strong and virile opposition, which the PDP
might likely provide ahead of next general elections.

But the newly appointed Vice National Chairman, North East zone
of the APC, Mr. Mustapha Salihu does not share the idea that the
PDP has anything to offer despite the development.

According to him, “The apex court’s declaration of Makarfi as
the authentic leader of the PDP was inconsequential to us.” Salihu
maintained that the PDP is not a threat to the APC.

Another chieftain of the APC from the North, Senator Abubakar
Girei noted that the verdict would help stabilize democracy in the
country.

Girei described the court verdict as another victory for
democracy in Nigeria but added that there is the need for the party
to re-brand its name “if it ever hopes to provide viable
opposition. Democracy is about choices and since PDP name is
already soiled and therefore can no longer fly, they should start
by renaming the party.”

According to him, “The PDP as a brand is already soiled and may
not be able to fly if not re-branded. As a proud APC member and a
full-blooded democrat, I urge them to put behind all that happened
and reinvent, rebrand and reposition PDP to provide a viable and
strong opposition to our ruling party.”

But looking at the verdict from a different angle, the
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), which hailed the
stand of the Supreme Court, particularly the Chief Judge of the
Federation, who stood on the side of justice and equity, said the
development would bring to an end, the challenges of opposition
that had almost brought the major opposition PDP to its knees.

The CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu said the apex
court verdict was a victory for democracy and all members of the
umbrella body of political parties in the country.”

He added that it is necessary for all political associations and
parties to always adhere to the principle of rule of law in the
face of any such crisis as justice may be delayed but cannot be
denied.”

He also urged PDP to put its house in other and also contribute
its quota in the opposition politics for the deepening of democracy
in Nigeria.

Senator Abubakar Sodangi, a former member of the PDP, but now in
APC said the judgment did not only save the PDP but all other
political parties.

A lawyer and political analysts, Godwin Sunday Ogoji, said while
it is imperative to blame the PDP for self-inflicting injury, the
judiciary has its own portion of the blame for the fact that it was
the one issuing conflicting judgments that eventually worsened the
situation.

According to him, “If the judgment had gone the other way,
“political parties in the country would have continued to revolve
around an individual.”

Suggesting what the PDP could do to cover up politically, former
Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore said the
judgment would make deeper meaning “if we quickly close ranks and
seamlessly move together as one indivisible party and thereafter go
ahead to taking over the presidency in 2019, the governorships
elections in Anambra come November and Osun, Ekiti states in
2018.”

He recommended the type of reconciliation that was adopted by
Osun chapter of the party during its crisis. According to him, “For
us in Osun, everyone was united in a singular purpose of ending the
reign of terror and nuisance, foisted on the state by an Ajele
governor. Our unity encouraged the disgruntled, traumatized, raped,
grounded, dehumanized and abandoned Osun people to simply queue
behind us. The result was the 9-1 trouncing we handed APC in Osun
West Senatorial District bye-election last weekend. That is the
power of unity. That is purpose of reconciliation. Nigerians are
ready to embrace PDP again, having tasted the APC sting. But they
must see a united PDP.”

Having secured the long awaited Supreme Court verdict, which
recognised the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee as the
authentic national leadership of the major opposition, Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, analysts are of the opinion
that decision has changed political calculations in the country
especially in the preparations for the 2019 general
elections.
Indeed the judgment have brought fresh airs into the political
scene as many political parties are now prepared to ensure that
party supremacy is placed above individuals who through their
wealth, always want to hijack party structure.

Based on the judgment also, many parties seem to have come to
the conclusion that whatever decision reached by their national
convention is final.
Another critical thing is that the judgment had since spurred the
leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the
reality of possible strong and virile opposition, which the PDP
might likely provide ahead of next general elections.

But the newly appointed Vice National Chairman, North East zone
of the APC, Mr. Mustapha Salihu does not share the idea that the
PDP has anything to offer despite the development.

According to him, “The apex court’s declaration of Makarfi as
the authentic leader of the PDP was inconsequential to us.” Salihu
maintained that the PDP is not a threat to the APC.

Another chieftain of the APC from the North, Senator Abubakar
Girei noted that the verdict would help stabilize democracy in the
country.

Girei described the court verdict as another victory for
democracy in Nigeria but added that there is the need for the party
to re-brand its name “if it ever hopes to provide viable
opposition. Democracy is about choices and since PDP name is
already soiled and therefore can no longer fly, they should start
by renaming the party.”

According to him, “The PDP as a brand is already soiled and may
not be able to fly if not re-branded. As a proud APC member and a
full-blooded democrat, I urge them to put behind all that happened
and reinvent, rebrand and reposition PDP to provide a viable and
strong opposition to our ruling party.”

But looking at the verdict from a different angle, the
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), which hailed the
stand of the Supreme Court, particularly the Chief Judge of the
Federation, who stood on the side of justice and equity, said the
development would bring to an end, the challenges of opposition
that had almost brought the major opposition PDP to its knees.

The CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu said the apex
court verdict was a victory for democracy and all members of the
umbrella body of political parties in the country.”

He added that it is necessary for all political associations and
parties to always adhere to the principle of rule of law in the
face of any such crisis as justice may be delayed but cannot be
denied.”

He also urged PDP to put its house in other and also contribute
its quota in the opposition politics for the deepening of democracy
in Nigeria.

Senator Abubakar Sodangi, a former member of the PDP, but now in
APC said the judgment did not only save the PDP but all other
political parties.

A lawyer and political analysts, Godwin Sunday Ogoji, said while
it is imperative to blame the PDP for self-inflicting injury, the
judiciary has its own portion of the blame for the fact that it was
the one issuing conflicting judgments that eventually worsened the
situation.

According to him, “If the judgment had gone the other way,
“political parties in the country would have continued to revolve
around an individual.”

Suggesting what the PDP could do to cover up politically, former
Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore said the
judgment would make deeper meaning “if we quickly close ranks and
seamlessly move together as one indivisible party and thereafter go
ahead to taking over the presidency in 2019, the governorships
elections in Anambra come November and Osun, Ekiti states in
2018.”

He recommended the type of reconciliation that was adopted by
Osun chapter of the party during its crisis. According to him, “For
us in Osun, everyone was united in a singular purpose of ending the
reign of terror and nuisance, foisted on the state by an Ajele
governor. Our unity encouraged the disgruntled, traumatized, raped,
grounded, dehumanized and abandoned Osun people to simply queue
behind us. The result was the 9-1 trouncing we handed APC in Osun
West Senatorial District bye-election last weekend. That is the
power of unity. That is purpose of reconciliation. Nigerians are
ready to embrace PDP again, having tasted the APC sting. But they
must see a united PDP.”