PDP crisis: An un-welcome distraction

Ordinarily, one should not have been bothered about the internal affairs of a political party, but because the escalating crisis in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would most likely endanger the fortunes and well being of the entire country, it is not proper to look the other way.

For several months now PDP has been boiling, and it is condemnable that the crux of the matter borders essentially on the cravings for selfish political agenda. While some are fighting to gain new political capital, some others want to retain theirs.

Before the latest crisis which led to a factional eruption that is threatening the foundation of the party, recent events had shown that it was only a matter of time before a fatal implosion. The inability of the elders of the party to address the obvious loss of confidence in the leadership of the party has not been helpful. While some aggrieved members complained endlessly, the party leadership pretended that all was well.

It is obvious that the reconciliation committee recently constituted and headed by Seriake Dickson, governor, Bayelsa State, was not able to contain the long simmering crisis and divide in the party. The tide of disaffection that blew across the ranks of the party due to a cocktail of suspension that the party had dished out in the last few months did not help matters.

We are concerned that the face-off may degenerate to a point where the army of unemployed youths may be recruited as canon fodders to foment trouble in society. At the instance of their sponsors, they may begin to wreak havoc in society. The human and material losses that may result from the fractionalization in the long run may drag the country many steps backwards.

While the top echelon of PDP membership engage in political sabre-rattling, Nigeria on a daily basis suffers the colossal loss of about 400,000 barrels of crude oil to the activities of economic saboteurs. No thanks to prebendal manipulations.

The truth of the matter is that the greed for political power and the un-bridled pursuit of self-seeking political agenda that is at variance with the noble desire for the public good has been the bane of PDP. Nigerians daily navigate through bad roads, drink contaminated water and contend with epileptic power supply. The nation’s public universities are in a comatose state, and millions of youths wander without hope. With all these ugly conditions, the crisis in the ruling party is indeed un-welcome, and clearly a distraction.

It is sad that while less endowed nations are busy with nation building and the development of their countries’ infrastructure, our country’s leadership class is perennially engrossed in the acts of selfish politicking revolving around the bid for a second term.

We urge the ruling PDP to halt this needless conflict and initiate all possible measures that would help contain the current strong wind of disaffection, and make the party transcend above a self-seeking political agenda. The overriding focus should be on the ultimate public good.