PDP National Convention: Saraki’s Proactive Measures and Makinde’s Desperate Antics | By Sola Abegunde

Except the dawn of tomorrow doesn’t break and God forbid, Governor Seyi Makinde will lead his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to conduct a National Convention at the Adamasingba Sports Stadium.

Already, expected ‘Delegates’ have started  arriving in Ibadan for the November 15th to 16th National Convention.

Earlier today, the Hon. Justice Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court delivered yet, another judgment stopping PDP from going ahead with the proposed Convention.

Justice Lifu also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to participate in the Convention.

Before today, the Hon. Justice Omotosho also of the Abuja Federal High Court had given a similar judgment.

Also today, the Hon. Justice Ladiran Akintola reportedly extended an interlocutory order which he first gave ex parte, about a week ago.

He directed the PDP to go ahead with the proposed National Convention as scheduled and directed INEC to monitor the exercise despite a preliminary objection filed by INEC challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to hear the matter.

I have my personal opinion on the proceedings before the Hon. Justice Akintola but unfortunately, I am restrained from expressing them at this point.

I have made some points about his interlocutory order against the judgment, now judgements of the Federal High Court before now and I stand by those points.

This evening, reports of Governor Seyi Makinde’s visit to the former Governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido, an aggrieved candidate for the post of PDP National Chairman went viral.

Lamido is the litigant who got the judgment delivered by the Hon. Justice Lifu.

It was reported that Governor Seyi Makinde had persuaded him to withdraw his suit challenging the holding of the Ibadan National Convention.

Infact, it was reported that Lamido had actually instructed his Lawyers to file a notice of discontinuance of the case he instituted.

When I saw the reports, I laughed and thought about how desperate some people could be.

That report stood logic on its head.

How could someone discontinue a matter in which final Judgement had been entered?

At the time the report broke, there was nothing left to discontinue.

The matter had been effectively concluded and only the Court of Appeal can upturn the decision of the Federal High Court.

So, when I saw another report which said that Lamido denied the initial ‘ jankara’ report, I wasn’t surprised.

Lamido, in the latest report claimed that he got a favourable judgment and his Lawyers had since served the judgment on INEC.

The question is, why is the Governor of Oyo state so desperate to lead people to a Convention that is shrouded in controversies and uncertainties?

A couple of days ago, former Senate President and two terms Governor of Kwara state, Bukola Saraki made a statement that melted my heart.

I was surprised that there are still a few politicians who still care about the success and future of their followers.

Saraki advised some PDP Leaders who visited him that the fate of the proposed Ibadan National Convention of the PDP is hanging in the balance and that no one who is serious about his or her political ambitions would be comfortable with the system as presently constituted.

He was of the opinion that internal  disputes within a political party can not be resolved through the courts and advocated for the setting up of a Caretaker Committee to steer the affairs of the PDP while peace efforts continue.

Saraki is concerned, most especially, because of the calamity that might befall his followers who have ambitions to contest election in 2027.

He is worried about what fate would befall them if INEC refuses to accept the outcome of the Ibadan Convention.

That is a demonstration of true leadership.

It shouldn’t be about you alone.

Obviously, Governor Makinde would have none of that.

For him, his ego matters.

He wants to show the world that we have a new political wizard in town and if the world would come down for him to prove that point, he doesn’t care.

Anything short of a winner takes it all situation is unacceptable to him.

Sadly and unfortunately, he is a cockroach who has challenged a group of hungry chicken to a combat.

A rat, who, after eating to the full, decided to challenge the cat to a wrestling match.

I read some reports this evening that his Presidential campaign posters have flooded the venue of the proposed Convention ground.

This evening also , I saw someone who told me that some ‘ arrangements for mobilisation ‘ have been made with PDP supporters across the 33 Local Governments.

He said those who attend would be given free T-shirts.

I told the person that I thought attendance at a National Convention should be strictly for party Delegates but he said this one is different.

This afternoon, I was coming from town and I ran into the Circular road Protesters at Mokola Round about.

I saw hell, trying to pass through Mokola as a result of the blockage and the resultant hold up.

Interestingly, just a few meters away from Mokola, at the Adamasingba Sports Stadium, venue of the proposed National Convention of the PDP, Makinde and his supporters carried on with the arrangements for the Convention as if all is well.

Governor Makinde is failing in his primary duties of seeing to the welfare of the citizens of Oyo state who elected him,  while trying to score political points at the National level.

The most painful part of this ugly scenario is the fact that a huge resources of the state is been committed to a programme that holds no benefits for the citizens of the state.

To add insults upon injuries, I read a report which says that the Chairman of the Parks Management System, PMS, Wasiu Tomiwa had imposed what it called ‘ temporary transport restrictions ‘ in some places around the Convention venue!

The Chairman of a Trade Union, which the Court of Appeal just delivered a judgement that questioned its necessity, issuing ‘ temporary transport restrictions ‘ in the state Capital?

It is so unfortunate.

The guy has control over the members of his association no doubts but what of private commuters and motorists?

Has Governor Makinde placed him above all motorists, even private vehicle owners?

What are we not going to see under this Governor?

The other time, he appointed someone who went about gun blazing, delivering jungle justice against anyone who got him annoyed when he was on the road.

This one has forgotten his place and is now issuing restrictions that covers all motorists!

It is well. The party will soon be over. ( Ohun to ntan ni eegun odun).

The Convention will go on tomorrow.

Assuming INEC decides not to monitor the process and refused to accept the outcome from the Convention, what will Governor Makinde do?

Is he going to create an Electoral Commission of his own, submit his list of candidates to that Commission and declare himself president in 2027?

Why is it that only Governor Makinde sees a way through the Kilimanjaro?

I bet it, most of those cheering him on are only doing so because it’s beneficial to them.

Immediately the uninformed discover that he holds the short end of the stick, the field would be cleared.

Governor Makinde is blowing away goodwill just for nothing.

I hope all is well?

Instead of him to look for ways of resolving the needless crisis he has caused at the Circular road, he has kept chasing shadows.

Could it be that some fake Prophets have given the Governor an exciting prophecy that is beclouding  his sense of judgment?

This definitely can not be natural.

I can see a pitiable Elephant dancing away towards a bottomless pit.

Ikunle Abiyamo o!

Sola Abegunde.