Before wisdom finally gets buried in the PDP

Of all the politicians in its fold, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), last week, chose to appoint and announce Ali Modu Sheriff, a two-term former of Borno state Governor and three-term senator, as its new national chairman. But that news, delivered by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, despite the shock of receiving it, is already stale as you very well know.

What I believe is unknown and yet uncertain for now to those of us who are watching the unfolding drama in the PDP, is whether the party’s NEC would allow reason and common sense to prevail by rescinding the decision, or stick to its guns by allowing wisdom to be buried in a party which has no one but itself to blame for the recent woes that have befallen it.

Sheriff’s appointment, of course, followed his nomination by the party’s National Caucus, a body with membership drawn from the forum of PDP governors, the National Assembly, including its Board of Trustees and National Working Committee.

This controversial politician who still has questions to answer concerning his involvement with Boko Haram insurgents was picked ahead of other contenders for the position like Ahmed Gulak; former senior special assistant on political matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan who had earlier tried to forcefully take over the party’s leadership; Mohammed Wakil, a former minister of state for power; Wilberforce Juta, former deputy governor of defunct Gongola state and even Nuhu Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who was also considered for the post.

I have nothing but sympathies for genuine PDP sympathisers and loyalists. For many of them and all those who think the PDP is still deserving of their attention and affection, it is perfectly understandable if they believe their party has chosen to self-destruct with this latest error and wrong choice. Like Femi Fani-Kayode asked in his article, ‘who has bewitched the PDP?’

I think it’s hard not to assume the party is bewitched with such a scandalous appointment. Meanwhile, the North-east zonal wing of the PDP, although directed by its national caucus to forward nominees from the zone, did not even nominate Sheriff for the position. I believe this is not without reason.

Why on earth would leaders of the PDP continue to take decisions that show very clearly, even to a secondary school student, that their decisions are not often well thought through in the slightest form before they are arrived at and made public? Or why would PDP’s custodians continue to thread the path of impunity, imposition, absolute disdain for carrying members along while taking critical decisions affecting the party as a collective?

Whatever or whichever it is, as I type this article, calls continue to pour in from different sections of the party demanding Sheriff’s resignation.

Already, somebody like Doyin Okupe, a party diehard who, in protecting the interests of his PDP, wouldn’t mind being called a bastard, has come out to say he is not a party to such choice. Okupe believes Sheriff’s emergence, going by his antecedents, and despite having deep pockets, is another proof of the PDPs “history of making grave errors in judgement”.

Now, that’s one statement I believe even the APC will totally agree with. Although he reiterated his decision never to leave the party, Okupe says he would “tarry by the graveside” should the masters of PDP succeed in killing the party. Loyalty?

And some of the party’s leaders, under the aegis of PDP Rescue Group, the PDP Ministers’ Forum, and even some members of the party’s BOT, have all rejected Sheriff describing his emergence as an embarrassment to the party. These calls are despite the reality that members are announcing their exits publicly aside those who have left quietly.

That there are still some voices of reason and people of morality in the party means all hope is not lost for the PDP and it can yet purge and redeem itself of its bad tendencies. More of such calls should be expected in the days and weeks ahead if the party’s NEC doesn’t bow to popular opinion quickly enough.

But while responding to those against his choice, Sheriff has said he won’t resign, He’s also insisting he has nothing to do with Boko Haram. Now, that, for me, is a story he can tell to the marines because he certainly can’t rewrite history.

He even argues there is no court of competent jurisdiction that has ever indicted him of complicity in the criminal acts of Boko Haram terrorists. While this is true, it is so because of the failure of the administration of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, in coming hard against sponsors of the terrorist sect like him. Nothing else. Certainly not because he is innocent. Fact is the history of Boko Haram’s formation and its eventual insurgency in Nigeria cannot be fully written without a good mention of the substantial unpatriotic and selfish contributions of politicians like Modu Sheriff.

I think it would be a calamity of very great proportions especially to the party’s founding fathers if they don’t see it through that Sheriff is prevailed upon to step down. This is because reasonable people everywhere can’t fathom why it is a man so discredited; one with shady antecedents who would be appointed the national chairman of Nigeria’s leading opposition party by its National Executive Council.

But then, I still think if an individual or organisation feels it should be left alone to make bad choices that would eventually destroy it despite strident appeals by those who have its interests at heart, then, so be it. Sincerely, nothing spoil, like our Warri folks say.

I just feel that ensuring the PDP remains afloat, for whatever the party is still worth after its humiliating defeat in the 2015 elections, due mainly to its own making by squandering the trust of Nigerians and generally dashing expectations while it was in power, is still in a some ways, in the interest of our country’s democracy.

The PDP, by virtue of the number of its elected officials and the states it controls, remains the largest opposition party in the country today. It also has years of governance experience especially at the federal level as part of its CV. There are lessons I expect the PDP must have learnt while in power which I believe should help it better serve the country at the national level if Nigerians later forgive and give it a second chance at Aso Rock, whenever they decide to do so.

And this is more so when we consider that even the APC-controlled government, which dethroned it, is yet to fully get its bearing right in all areas of our national life especially the economy almost nine months after coming to power.That the PDP, because of its history, has produced more political leaders at various levels in the country compared to the APC, aside the fact that its umbrella also seems to accommodate more Nigerians from different ethnic nationalities and faith, ought to count for something in its favour.

Unfortunately, the PDP has shown, to discerning Nigerians and especially passionate believers in democratic governance and culture like some of us, that it is poorly prepared and ill-equipped to play this opposition role effectively let alone successfully reinventing and repackaging itself for future redemptive exploits if it would ever be given a second chance.

Meanwhile, by now, you would have expected that someone like Olisa Metuh, its publicity secretary, would have been sent packing despite the poor job he did of that responsibility, aside the corruption allegations he yet battles. But Metuh retains his office still. And PDP leaders think his continuous stay in office will bring their party any good. I think that’s nothing but wrong thinking. I doubt if the party has even ever commissioned any serious and broad media research to know its public perception. Or perhaps its control of the levers of government for 16 years made it lose its senses?

That is why I am still trying hard to understand the explanation offered by Ayo Fayose, Ekiti state Governor, concerning Sheriff’s appointment.

As far as Fayose is concerned, members of the party have nothing to worry about. What he wants and expects them to do is rally round Sheriff and give him the required support to transform the party. He says the party is in a peculiar situation and such a situation deserves a peculiar approach. Peculiar approach? Okay.

While the Ekiti state Governor certainly doesn’t fall among politicians I admire whether in Nigeria or outside the country, but as a journalist who has had cause to interview a good number of Nigerian politicians over the years, I know a scheme is already ongoing. Time would reveal this. Perhaps the plan and unspoken strategy of PDP governors is that Omo ina laa ran si’na. Like, why not fight your enemy through one of his own?

But if the PDP thinks there are APC secrets and strategies Sheriff might divulge which would be helpful to the party as it tries to reposition itself for 2019, this is wishing thinking. It is a no hoper. I do not see how such will sway Nigerians enough to even want to offer the party any chance in the next election cycle or even the next one after it. Of course, I may yet be wrong since 2019 and 2023 are still three and seven years away when 24 hours, as history has shown on many occasions, is a very long time in politics.

My free counsel. If the party is serious, now is the time for its major organs like the state and zonal chapters, Board of Trustees, National Caucus, NWC, National Executive Committee, and pressure groups such as its National Assembly caucus, PDP Ministers’ Forum, PDP Governors’ Forum, G-34 as well PDP leaders, past and present, to embark on the search for charismatic God-fearing individuals with experience, wisdom, high integrity, and patriotism to lead the party.

However, despite all said, the PDP is still a political association and irrespective of what members of the public think, has the right to determine its internal operations and those who lead it. Whether the choice or choices it makes is reasonable to outsiders like us is another matter entirely.

But if the party chooses to dance naked in the market square, or decides to wash its dirty linen in public, or even prefers to self-destruct, I think it’s an option we should avail them. It smacks of sycophancy to go crying more than the bereaved. Ours are only words of counsel and free advice to the party. The PDP, for all I care, can very well decide to stick to the decision it has taken and see where that lands it with Nigerians as the future unfolds.

Kolawole, an award-winning journalist, author and biographer, is publisher/CEO, POSTERITY MEDIA, a publishing and communication company based in Lagos. You can follow him on twitter: @ofemigan.