The representative of Ogun East in the Senate, Sen. Buruji Kashamu, has warned that the August 17 national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party will not solve the problems confronting the party.
He said it would be better for the elders of the party to wade into the crisis by having a peace meeting with the two people laying claim to the national leadership of the opposition party.
Kashamu stated this in a position paper he submitted to the two factions fighting for control of the party.
The paper was made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
A faction of the party is being led by Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, while Sen. Ahmed Makarfi is the chairman of the party’s national caretaker committee.
Both factions have court judgments or orders to back up their claim to the leadership of the party.
Makarfi, backed by the 12 governors of the party, has scheduled a national convention to be held in Port Harcourt on August 17 where national officers are to be elected.
Kashamu, who is known as the party’s mobiliser in the South-West, however warned that the different court orders and judgments which have yet to be vacated might end up nullifying the outcome of the convention.
He said, “Going to Port Harcourt for another national convention on August 17, without addressing the issues that have stuck out like a sore thumb might turn out to be an exercise in futility.
“I appeal to all our leaders to wade into the crisis and resolve the issues.
“If we gloss over the issues and facts and go ahead to hold the proposed convention without resolving them, the perception of PDP as a lawless organisation will sink deeper and ultimately public opinion will be against us.
“An air of confusion pervades our party and the land, with one division of the court saying Makarfi’s appointment is right while another division of the same court says Sheriff is the authentic national chairman of our party.
“We cannot continue like this. Already, the nomination (governorship) processes in Edo and Ondo States are being endangered by the current crisis.
“It is incumbent on all well-meaning leaders and elders of the party to court Senators Sheriff and Makarfi and look for a political solution to this crisis and resolve it, once and for all. Nothing is too much to give, if we truly love the party.”
Deputy to Sheriff, Dr. Cairo Ojugboh, said he shared Kashamu’s views on the leadership tussle.
“We will continue to say we believe in the rule of law and dialogue. If they are ready, we are willing,” he said.
The Spokesperson to the caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, could not be immediately reached for comments.
