Gombe: PDP leadership must hear this
Similarly, we bring to your notice, circumstances in which some PDP key national officers went ahead to contest for various elective offices in their various states without first resigning their political party appointments, either by omission or commission, which really beats any sane thinker of our nation’s overall political development and in a nutshell portray […]
Similarly, we bring to your notice, circumstances in which some PDP key national officers went ahead to contest for various elective offices in their various states without first resigning their political party appointments, either by omission or commission, which really beats any sane thinker of our nation’s overall political development and in a nutshell portray these party card carrying members as sacred cows or rather seen as larger than life politicians who “must” be given political preferential treatment.
This we view as going against the ethics and constitution of the PDP. The much touted policy of due process seem to have been blatantly flouted in this case, with a case example of allowing the PDP national publicity secretary Prof. Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali to run for an elective office, at the same time maintaining his political party official post, which in normal cases and as enshrined in the party’s constitution, he ought to have resigned first, seven days before making his intention known to the public.
Here, we see these as gross attempt at yet again opening another Pandora’s Box which may escalate to something else and possibly where every PDP card carrying member will do as he so pleases. It even compounded matters as well to the chagrin of many PDP party adherents and those outside, because they are busy questioning the rationality of why the national headquarters of the PDP is keeping mute over this ugly precedence.
The question we ask here is this: Is the national publicity secretary different from other card carrying members of the party or his office more important than that of other appointees at the national headquarters? One other thing that is utterly baffling in this shameful scenario is the national publicity secretary’s paid advertorial, which appeared in the Daily Trust of Monday the 17th of January 2011, congratulating those supporters of his, whom he claimed gave him the needed support, “before, during and after the Gombe state governorship primaries”, without thinking that there are progressive observers who are directly or indirectly watchers of present political developments and the way and manner players play the game or lack of it in different political parties. Where we see any of these players infringing on party guidelines, rules or regulations, we owe our citizens a civic duty and responsibility to talk on the issue with a view to calling for strong disciplinary measure, no matter who may have been involved.
If the national chairman can resign because he was found to have committed an offence contrary to laid down rules of the PDP and still is not let off the hook until he faces yet another disciplinary committee, that of the national publicity secretary should also be seen in like manner and he be made to face same disciplinary action, for the sake of political equity, due process and fair play. What is good for the Goose should be seen as equally good for the gander.
In this very worrisome political issue, we hereby call on the newly appointed acting national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Bello Haliru to closely investigate this case, with a view to setting a committee to further look into our complaint and if the Prof. is found to have arbitrarily committed an offence, without any sentiment of any kind and in the interest of peace and national political cohesion, he too should face the appropriate disciplinary action.
This will further give all PDP political observers the assurance that under its current leadership, the PDP is poised for a brand new national and international image.
Abubakar wrote from Ajiya Quarters, Gombe and is Coordinator of the Gombe Youth Development Foundation.