Umar Sani, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, has raised alarms over the potential involvement of security agencies in the ongoing internal strife within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In response to a call from the PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for security forces to address factional disputes within the party, Sani cautioned that this approach could escalate tensions and complicate efforts to resolve the conflict.
Sani expressed his concerns during an
interview with Arise News, following warnings from the PDP’s National Working
Committee (NWC) to suspended members not to attempt to enter the party’s
national secretariat in Abuja. The NWC had specifically warned a faction led by
National Treasurer Yayari Mohammed that any breach of security would prompt a
strong response from law enforcement.
“Involving security agencies in an internal
matter is illogical,” Sani stated. “There are already initiatives underway to
address the issue, and calling in security forces will only exacerbate the
crisis.”
He highlighted the importance of the PDP
Governors’ Forum, which he described as the party’s most significant pressure
group. According to Sani, the Forum, which had been largely inactive recently,
has now stepped up to play a vital role in resolving the ongoing turmoil.
“This situation has been overly simplified,
often portrayed as a conflict between Abubakar Atiku and Nyesom Wike,” Sani
pointed out. “However, the true driving force is the Governors’ Forum, which
has re-emerged as a key player in addressing the crisis. Although a court order
may prevent the removal of officials, it doesn’t hinder the party’s ability to
suspend members or enforce discipline.”
Regarding the lack of disciplinary measures
against Wike, Sani clarified that there was no committee in place during Wike’s
alleged infractions. With the recent establishment of a disciplinary committee
led by Chief Tom Ikimi, he urged party members to allow the committee to finish
its work before jumping to conclusions.
“There was no disciplinary committee when Wike
allegedly breached party rules,” Sani explained. “Now that we have one, let’s
give them the opportunity to do their job before concluding that Wike is exempt
from party regulations. We should wait to see if they recommend any
disciplinary actions.”
Sani lamented the detrimental effects of the
party’s internal conflicts, stating that the PDP’s inability to resolve its
issues has hindered its effectiveness as the main opposition party. “Instead of
focusing on challenging the ruling party, we are caught up in our own disputes.
The PDP has stagnated at a time when it should be the most dynamic opposition
force,” he added.
Looking ahead, Sani believes that the upcoming
National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on October 24 will be pivotal in
shaping the party’s future direction.
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