Coalitions of young People Democratic Party, PDP leaders today in a press
conference, gave the leaders of the two factions a 45 days ultimatum to
workout modalities for conducting a national convention, failure of which
they will mobilise PDP youths en mass across the nation to withdraw their
support for the party.
The statement which was signed by Barr. Anthony Ehilebo of Rethink Nigeria
and Mrs. Obianuju Ogoko of PDP E-Women Network and other youth groups
within the party also demanded the inclusion of 60% of young people in the
convention committee.
Read the statement below:
PDP LEADERSHIP CRISIS:A CALL TO ORDER!
The importance and relevance of young people to the evolution and
development of Politics in today’s world can not be over emphasised.
As far as elections in Nigeria are concerned, young people account for an
overwhelming majority of the voter population at all levels.
The 2011 General Elections data from the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) indicates that over 70% of aggregate voters consists
young people and women. The 2015 Elections followed a similar trend.
The relevance of young people in elections is equally shown in the voter
statistics obtained from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of
South Africa. Data for the South African elections held in May 2014
indicates that young people accounted for more than 58% of the total
voter population.
In view of the aforementioned statistics, it is pertinent that young
people play a front-line role in the determination of the affairs of
Political Parties of which our great Party, the PDP is no exception.
This is especially in the light of the current leadership imbroglio which
has engulfed our great Party for a while now.
The leadership crisis occasioned by the Sherrif/Makarfi impasse has
impeded the progress of the Party while denying Nigeria and Nigerians the
right to a vibrant and credible opposition to the current APC government
at a time when our dear Country is ravaged by:
A.Inflation
B.Insecurity
C.Hunger
D. Blatant abuse of fundamental human rights.
E.Unprecedented levels of unemployment
F. Incessant kidnapping due to economic hardship
G.Nepotism, marginalization, ethnic jingoism and crass favouritism.
H. Mindless butchery of innocent citizens across the nation (Just to
mention a few).
We have carefully and painstakingly listened to and studied the
narratives from both factions and have come to the conclusion that the
major reason for the quagmire we have found ourselves in was largely due
to the insistence of some party members on playing “god” for personal
gratification over common interest.
This quandary continues to defy the prospect of achieving a peaceful
resolution as it is obvious that the motivation of both parties is the
“winner takes all” syndrome and not the common good.
We have for long sat back and allowed our leaders the opportunity to find
a lasting and sustainable solution to this leadership dilemma. Regrettably
it has become evident that they have failed to articulate a firm solution
to this problem, hence the need to intervene with clear and concise lines
of action that would save our party from continued political irrelevance
imminent extinction.
So therefore, we collectively request that the following lines of action
be adopted as a workable solution to the prolonged crisis.
1.That all factions meet immediately to discuss the modalities for
conducting a National Convention unfailingly within 45 days from today.
2. That all convention committees must include a total of 60% of young
people with unquestionable integrity who would monitor the electoral
process and ensure fairness and equity for all contestants irrespective of
their affiliation.
3. That both parties meet and provide to the party in writing, a
resolution on their terms of involvement in the convention and also affirm
to accept and abide by the outcome of the convention.
In the spirit of the “NO VICTOR, NO VANQUISHED” declaration by both
factions prior to the Port Harcourt appeal court judgment, we call on all
factions to shelve their indignations and personal interests and work
towards ensuring the resurgence of the PDP as a viable opposition well
poised to to re-take power from the inept administration of the current
APC government.
We must state categorically that non-compliance to these lines of action
will leave us with no option than to mobilise PDP youth en masse across
the nation to withdraw their support for the party.
We remain loyal members of the PDP, committed to selfless service to
Nigeria and to our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party!