A8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2012
The future of Lagos PDP
BY DAPO AKINREFON
H
AVING participated in four consecutive elections and performed dismally, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is putting its house in order ahead of the 2015 poll in Lagos. Since 1999, the party and its governorship candidates have failed to secure the required votes to take over the reins of power in the state christened Centre for Excellence. Respective party chairmen, have over time, promised to wrest power from the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, without delivering. From Messrs Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Murtala Ashorobi, Rasheed Alaba Williams, Bayo Williams to Setonji Koshoedo, promises were made to ensure the party clinches power but all to no avail. Their plans and strategies to lead the party to victory during elections have failed to click as in-fighting, internal crisis, godfatherism, mudslinging, mischief and all manner of anti-party activities have remained the bane of the party. Already, some aggrieved party leaders and members have decided not to work for the interest of the party and this trend has persisted. With only three years to the 2015 governorship polls, Captain Olatunji Shelle (rtd), who was sworn-in as chairman of the party, is also expressing optimism that Lagos PDP would form the next government in Lagos. Shelle, who is believed to be a loyalist of Chief Olabode George, said the PDP intended to partner with various civil society groups as part of its plan to win the 2015 polls in the state. He explained that the partnership was part of its broad plan aimed at repositioning the PDP in the politics of Lagos State. While explaining what informed the party’s decision to collaborate with rights crusaders, at a press conference in Lagos, he said, “ we shall open our offices to partner with the civil societies, NGOs, professional bodies, genuine activists and any other groups willing to work with us.” Restating that the party was committed to the agenda and spreading the PDP gospel of a ‘new Lagos’ where there would be better policies and improved infrastructure, Shelle expressed the view that his party could have performed better if it were the government in power. He stressed that “these are some of the issues of concern to the C M Y K
PDP in Lagos State and we believe we can do better when we are in government. The task to make Lagos State a PDP state is one that must be done and collectively too.” He stressed: “The new executive of our party is poised to redefine the basic issues in our politics by running an inclusive and responsible administration for the greater good of the state.” Though, the party top notch identified the subsisting problems of governance in the state, which he maintained was important to the party. Noting that life could be better for the good people of state, he unveiled his agenda to lead the party to victory in subsequent polls. “This press conference is about our agenda for the next few years while we continue to make amends on the best methods and practices that will not only deepen
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2015:
mudslinging, creation mischief and all manner of anti-party activities is gone and this should be clear to all our members because these tendencies have not helped our party.” On the need for faithful to be committed to ideals of the party, he proposed that “ we are interested in real progress and development in the party. We want to see greater participation by all PDP members in all our activities, getting everybody involved for the overall interest of our party ”. In addition, he pledged that his party would provide the credible alternative yearned for by many people in Lagos. While he enjoined all members of the party to work in tandem with the state executives, Shelle said “the era of rumour mongering, mudslinging, creation mischief and all manner of
Shelle, who is believed to be a loyalist of Chief Olabode George, said the PDP intended to partner with various civil society groups as part of its plan to win the 2015 polls in the state
democracy in our party but also ensure that we deliver on our objectives as a political party,” he said. He enjoined members to brace up for new strides in the party because “the era of rumour mongering,
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anti-party activities is gone and this should be clear to all our members because these tendencies have not helped our party.” Besides, he said the party leadership would not condone any form of anti-
*George: The king-maker of Lagos PDP party activities noting that “ while we shall adequately reward loyalty and commitment, we will be firm on constitutional sanctions on all manner of anti-party activities.” The retired naval officer said it was imperative for discipline and decorum to be instilled in the party, stressing the need for all hands to be on deck if success must be achieved in the party. “Of course, without discipline, we can hardly deliver on our set objectives and this is why we are craving the indulgence of our
members to appreciate the need for cooperation and collective contributions in the new dispensation. The task to make Lagos State a PDP state is one that must be done collectively too. We have to realize that it is when we win election that we can be happy because the dividends of democracy can then benefit everyone. This should be a major lesson going by our history.” As the new executives of the Lagos PDP swings to action,how the new leadership will weather the storm in the party is to be seen.
The many sides of EK Clark Continues from page A7
Finance. It is on record that during his tenure as Commissioner of Education, school teachers in the Midwest received their rewards on earth rather than the proverbial deferment to Heaven’s Gate. Chief Clark was appointed Federal Commissioner for Information in 1975. On return to party politics in 1979, Chief Clark joined the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, and aside being a member of the National Working Committee, was coordinator of minority groups of Plateau, Kwara, Niger, Bendel, Rivers and Cross River States. He was subsequently elected Senator of the Federal Republic representing Warri, Western Ijaw and Isoko of present day Delta State. Chief Clark has been associated with the struggle against the oppression by the more populous ethnic groups since his return to Nigeria in the mid sixties. In many instances, he has helped raise legal teams to assist his fellow minority rights activist in the Middle Belt. On
*Clark: Remains vibrant at 85 the delineation of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones, the minority ethnic nationalities of the South were grouped into the South South zone. Chief Clark assembled elders and leaders of the zone to form the South-South Peoples Conference, the first such pressure group in any zone in the country.
He became deputy leader under the octogenarian, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye. The SSOPEC became a political lobby group and rallying point for the zone and achieved immeasurable successes including the agitation for the formation of the Niger Delta Development Commission. The SSPA campaigned vigorously for the other zones to concede the presidency to the South-South at the 2007 general elections. Following these agitations, the South South clinched the Vice presidency slot in the dominant party, the PDP, and his Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was elected Vice President of Nigeria, first time for a South-Southerner. Today, the rest is history as Dr. Jonathan is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a situation that arose more or less to the indefatigable sagacity and negotiating skill of Edwin Clark following the death of Alhaji Umaru Yar ’ Adua and the attendant challenges that developed therefrom. Clark
brought his negotiating skills to bear on the many groups across Nigeria culminating in the invocation of the doctrine of necessity by the Senate. Of significance also is Chief Clark’s leadership role in the resolution of the Niger Delta crises. He has led his Ijaw peoples from the six coastal states to all peace negotiations convened on the conflict and continues to seek succour and relief for his suppressed and oppressed tribe who unanimously acknowledge him as Ijaw National Leader. In 2002, former President Olusegun Obasanjo honoured this great nationalist with the award of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR. In December 2008, President Umaru Yar’Adua honoured him with the award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). At 85, his personality is awesome and he remains as controversial as ever.
*Dr. Michael Oberabor Medical Officer, Baker Clinic Warri.