•Stakeholders urge Sheriff, Makarfi to bury differences
It appears the major actors in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national crisis that engulfed the party, after loosing to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 Presidential elections, are beginning to come to terms why reconciliation is necessary and unavoidable.
One of the reasons adduced for the need to reconcile was in the interest of Nigeria, particularly as it looks that the APC may not have the solutions to the economic crisis in the country in its four-year term.
Some of the principal actors in the party’s controversies, after taking their time to understudy the APC, have concluded that the country will need a viable and strong opposition to rescue it in 2019.
Another reason cited was that the ruling party is also engulfed with internal wrangling and is nothing better than the PDP. As a matter of fact, some of the opposition party members said they are patiently waiting to reap from the internal implosion that is expected to happen any moment from this year to early or mid 2018 within the APC fold.
The Guardian’s findings reveals that the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction are gradually getting weary and therefore may settle to bury their ego and resolve their differences for the sake of Nigeria.
Both factional chairmen of the PDP in the South West zone, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe of the Sheriff’s side and Dr. Eddy Olafeso of the Makarfi’s wing have concurred that reconciliation within the PDP family is the best option for now.
While Ogundipe in his view urged the warring factional national chairmen of the party, Sheriff and Makarfi, to quickly reconcile their differences in the interest of Nigeria, Olafeso said it is imperative for the stakeholders in the zone to also come together not just for the sake of the region but for Nigeria.
Olafeso told The Guardian that a step in the direction of reconciling the PDP South West zone has commenced across the six states where all necessary stakeholders would be contacted.
Nonetheless Ogundipe said it is now time for both leaders to convince the teaming PDP faithful’s and Nigerians that they mean well for the party.
According to Ogundipe, “The South West PDP recognised both Sheriff and Makarfi as leaders, stating that the electoral success of the party should be paramount to their respective interests.
“It will be of great interest if our warring leaders reconciled today and begin to move the party forward. These distinguished Nigerians have no doubt proved their point; it is now time to convince the teaming PDP faithful that they mean well for the party.”
While bemoaning the manner at which those who instigated the crisis are gradually forsaking the party, Ogundipe, however, hailed members and leaders still holding on to the party.
Ogundipe said it was on this strength that: “we commend the neutrality of the chairman of the South West Contact and Mobilisation Committee, Senator Buruji Kashamu and his unrelenting contribution at making sure the party is returned to its old winning self, with no victor and no vanquished.”
He lamented what the crisis cost the party in Edo and Ondo states’gubernatorial elections stressing that it was enough prices to be paid, but noted that as the party approaches Ekiti and Osun states’ elections “we don’t want to suffer the same fate as posterity will not forgive us.”
