A coalition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, young
leaders, on Monday gave the Ahmed Makarfi and the Ali Modu Sheriff’s factions
45-days ultimatum to set in place modalities for conducting a national
convention.
The youths in a statement signed by Anthony Ehilebo of
Rethink Nigeria and Mrs. Obianuju Ogoko of PDP E-Women Network warned both
factions that failure to meet their demands, will result to the mobilization of
the party’s youths “en-mass to withdraw their support for the party.”
A statement titled, “PDP Leadership Crisis: A Call to Order”
obtained by DAILY POST reads, “The importance and relevance of young people to
the evolution and development of Politics in today’s world cannot 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. “That all factions meet immediately to discuss the
modalities for conducting a National Convention unfailingly within 45 days from
today.
“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.
“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!”
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