The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared Senator Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee as the authentic leader of the PDP, thus putting an end to the 18-month leadership crisis that has engulfed the party. Insiders believe that these would go a long way to benefit the country’s democracy by providing quality opposition to the ruling party.

An Insider with the Labour Party surmised that “The Supreme Court made that determination based on facts. It is a very simple rule of the law… I would have been surprised if the Supreme Court upheld Sheriff.”

“The Supreme Court decision is a well-thought-out decision,” said another Insider with the PDP. He continued that “The justices must have been under great pressure from all camps, the government that did not want an opposition, Ali Modu Sherrif that was also on their neck. The Supreme Court did what was right, the country needs an opposition. The beauty of democracy is in the ability of the opposition to put the government on its toes, to criticise policies they feel are wrong and to ensure that they provide an alternative to the government in power. When the government in power fails, the opposition will come to the rescue. But a situation where a government in power kills all forms of opposition in the country does not augur well for our democracy. It is indeed a welcome development, the PDP should do away with arrogance and begin to reconcile their aggrieved members and bring everybody back on board, and see how they can provide an alternative to the government.”

Another Insider with the PDP sharing his thoughts stated thus “While the partying and dancing is allowed and should continue, we should, however, know that it is not yet Uhuru. No doubt a big hurdle has been crossed. To the PDP Leaders and followers, the siege is not over without doing the needful: Any organisation or political party that jettisons sanctions and rewards will become worthless over time. PDP must discipline and sanction Ali Modu Sheriff and Professor Oladipupo. It is the irreducible minimum to bring sanity to the party and to serve as deterrence to others. If not another impunity beckons; the party must identify committed and honest men and women who are interested in contesting public office to man National Working Committee, to stabilise the party. Present your best eleven to lead the party into a new phase; PDP should now provide real, valuable and constructive opposition to the fumbling ruling APC.”

“The judgment is long overdue” stated another Insider with the Labour Party. “The Judiciary has saved the Nigerian democracy from being plunged into a ditch. The judgment for me means a lot. It signifies a new dawn for the Nigerian democracy. The PDP must have understood that it’s no longer business as usual, there is need to mend fences and rejuvenate the party and reposition it back to winning ways. No doubt, with this judgment, the hitherto incapacitated opposition which has been in a state of cacophony since 2015 has been revived and it will put the docile ruling party on its toes. It will send a strong signal to the ruling party that it’s now time to have a sense of responsibility to the masses, that truly they owe the masses and they are not doing them any privilege being in power. They are elected to do things differently from the old order. It has further rekindled the hope of the common man in the judiciary, despite the scheming to kill the opposition, the judiciary has finally come to the rescue to save democracy in Nigeria. We can only hope the PDP will live up to the high expectations the masses and their supporters have in them to shake the ruling party out of its snoring mode.”

In a similar vein, another Insider shared that “It is important for the PDP to understand that at this time, the heat in the country is so much and they can’t afford to further heat it up. The party needs to become a more credible opposition; they need to get their house together. They should be sensitive to the times because it is very sensitive for the country. They need to come together in the spirit of one country, accept the judgment of the court and become a truly credible opposition for the APC; perhaps we can get a better country”.

These are members of the Political Insiders (Not all of whom participated in this issue)

Bukola Ogunyemi (NA), Amara Nwakpa (NA), Cheta Nwanze (NA), Seun Onigbinde (NA), Clarence Onyekwere (NA), Babatunde Ajileye (NA), Mark Amaza (NA), Saratu Abiola (NA), Henry Okelue (APC), Prince Deji Adeyanju (NA), John Paul Akinduro (LP), Ebubedike Akabua (NA), Ikemesit Effiong (NA), Saatah Nubari (NA), Chinedu Ekeeke (NA), Abdul Mahmud (NA), Tunji Andrews (NA), Ileowo Kikiowo (APC), Ikenna Okonkwo (NA), Stanley Azuakola (NA), Gbenga Olorunpomi (APC), Rinsola Abiola (APC), Ayobami Oyalowo (APC), Oluseun Odewale (APC), Anthony Ehilebo (PDP), Ohimai Amaize (NA), Bimbo Oke (PDP), Abigail Anaba (NA), Tony ‘Pox’ Iribor (NA), Michael Orodare (LP), Henry Nwazuruahu (PDP), Ojugo ‘Ojay’ Onyelukachukwu (PDP), Viola Okoli (PDP), Ariyo Dare Atoye (PDP), Oraye Franklin (PDP), Lai Labode (NA), Akaebube (APGA), Aziza Uko (NA), Kayode Ajulo (LP)

Editor