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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice Chairman, South West, Chief Eddy Olafeso, has said it is time for feuding parties in the opposition party to sheath their sword. Olafeso, who is also a member of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee led by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in this interview, says the leaders of the opposition party unite in the overall interest of the country.
The PDP leader also spoke on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly, amongst other issues.
Excerpts:
What is happening with the PDP National Reconciliation Committee?
It is in the right direction. You will recollect that in couple of months back, the Disciplinary Committee and the Reconciliation Committees were set on. And since that time on, being a member of the Reconciliation Committee, we have been everywhere preaching peace amongst our people and looking to enhance the unity in the party and ensure we prepare ourselves for the future. We have been to the South-West. We have been to the South-East and we have been to the North-East and we have spoken to the key leaders of the party like the Governors Forum and a lot of our leaders across the country.
We are very desirous to bring unity and peace to the party before the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which will come very shortly. To me, things are very positive. Although there might be dip here and there, which was based on previous court appearances. But I know fully well, that things will work together. We are not sparing any individual. We are talking to everybody so that a lot us can rebuild our party and make it a winning machine again.
These peace efforts seem not to have produced any concrete result, as there are still crises at different levels in the party. What is happening?
I told you that even before the inauguration of the committee, we have a lot of challenges, especially cases taken to court. But gradually, we will ensure that those things are settled. And remember, peace is a process. It is not something you can accomplish in a single day. So, as tedious as our duties and responsibilities are, we are very desirous to make a success out of it. And the Olagunsonye Oyinlola committee will strive to bring peace back to the party.
Yes, it looks like things are getting heated up day by day in the party, but I know it is darkest when it is about dawn and we will find ourselves again and we will be able to fight together for the soul of this country, that has been shredded by the APC.
Some stakeholders are canvassing for collaboration between the PDP and other opposition party for the 2027 General Elections; while some others are of the opinion that the opposition is already running out of time in its quest to build an alliance for the next elections. What do you think?
No time is running out. We have to be strong enough to relate with other people. How can you get into a marriage when you are weak? Time is not running out. We are working very hard. And I have said it in various fora that there is no way that one single party can defeat the APC. Their monstrosity and their penchant for abuse of the electoral process and democracy is what Nigeria can fight together.
Would you support a merger between the PDP and any other political party for the 2027 polls?
Why not? Alliance. Merger. Coalition. Just mention it. Anything that brings people together is desirable.
There are some proposals before the House of Representatives for the creation of new states. But a school of thought believes that the creation of additional states is not necessary. Where do you stand?
You see multiplicity of states, extending and enlarging governance will only ruin the country further. There are many states that are not solvent. Why do you want to create more states? They can’t pay salaries. They depend on the federal allocations. There is nothing happening in the states and yet you want to start creating another. How will they survive? How many governors are we going to have? Government is close to the people enough with three tiers of government in Nigeria- 774 local government areas; 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Federal Government is large enough to touch every Nigerian.
My opinion is that where we are, we can manage this country better if we are efficient, if we are honest with the people and they stop the profligacy and stealing across the country. Believe me, 36 states, 774 Local Government Areas and the Federal Government is adequate to touch every nook and cranny of this country called Nigeria.
The amendment of the Electoral Act will start shortly in the NASS, what new thing will you want to see in the Electoral Act?
Is it more law or people being more honest; being fair; being equitable and ensuring that justice prevails all the time? Do they respect any law whatsoever. It is ensuring that the law counts and people punished when they flout it.
APC brought 23000 policemen into Ondo State during the governorship election. Not a single person was indicted for anything. So why did they bring 23,000 men? Are you telling me that with the thuggery and the abuse of the Electoral Act, nobody was caught doing the wrong thing? I hate it when a country is drifting. What law have they executed it? Have we actually obeyed all the laws to the point that we will have free and fair election? What guarantee is there that when you now begin to tinker with the electoral law, they will obey it? Nigeria is what it is. But I know God will resolve this problem for us.
In the aftermath of the Ondo governorship election, the APC said their target is to win Osun and Oyo in the next election. What are you doing to ensure your party retain the states?
They didn’t win in Edo. They didn’t win in Kogi. They did not win in Ondo State. They came here to trade. They bought votes like they did in Kogi and Edo and they just stole the people’s mandate and walked away. So, if that is what they are going to be doing, they can continue. They have the federal purse. But I know one day, it will stop.
They (APC) are not popular. Why will they be popular? Is it the hunger in the land or people not being able to go to their respective work places. That there is no job for young people. What exactly have they done to make Nigerian people to be voting for them? Here in Ondo State, nothing is happening for the last one and half years. They spent over N30 billion to install a governor, who probably did not know where he is going. That is exactly what they want to do across the country.
Look at exactly what they are doing in Rivers State. Why should a country lapse into that? Both the judiciary, the legislature, everything they have captured. We are at the mercy of the APC. But I know that the people will liberate themselves when the time comes.
You talked about the people liberating themselves. How prepared is the PDP to lead the charge?
We will go with open arms to the Nigerian people. All of us must come together. Labour Party, NNPP, any party whatsoever; all of us must sit on the round table and begin to think about the future of the country together. If not, we won’t have any country to call our own.
What is your message to feuding PDP leaders?
Enough is enough. Let us love this party enough to remember that many of those people actually fighting the party are those the party gave the opportunity to become what they want to be. Let us remember that nobody will be remembered by the position they occupied. They will be remembered for their roles in changing society for the better. I admonish all of us that it is about time; this division, this disunity, violence against each other must stop. We must confront the monster called APC. We must defeat them once and for all, in 2027.
Some of your party stakeholders believe that one of the ways to rebuild the party is to sanction those who have engaged in anti-party activities. Do you subscribe to that?
Absolutely. If you are not obeying the laws of the party, and you are contravening the constitution of the party, you are an offender. And there is no reason why you can’t be sanctioned within the confines of the constitution of the party and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I believe that people will have to be punished as deterrent to those who may want to commit the same crime in the future.
