Urges NEC to rise above factional interests to save Nigeria’s democracy
A former presidential candidate and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has said the lingering leadership crisis rocking the party can be resolved within one week if the leadership adopts political solutions rather than prolonged legal battles.
Hashim made the assertion during a meeting with the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as part of ongoing consultations aimed at achieving an out-of-court resolution of the party’s internal dispute.
The former presidential aspirant, who was also among the conveners of the PDP in 1998 and its first elected Deputy National Publicity Secretary, said resolving the crisis through political engagement would better serve the survival of the party and strengthen Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
According to him, the party already possesses the constitutional authority required to resolve the impasse without resorting to litigation.
“There are more than enough legitimate members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to convene a meeting and resolve this crisis within one week,” Hashim said.
He cited Sections 3(1) and 3(4) of the PDP Constitution, which empower two-thirds of NEC members to convene a meeting, noting that the majority of NEC members were elected before the disputed Ibadan convention and therefore retain unquestionable legitimacy.
Hashim further explained that although the tenure of some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) expired on December 8, the pre-Ibadan NEC members remain constitutionally empowered to intervene and take corrective action in the overall interest of the party.
“What is required now is courage and responsibility,” he said. “NEC members must rise above factional interests and stand for posterity, for the party and for the nation.”
He warned that continued internal paralysis could weaken the PDP’s capacity as a credible opposition and ultimately undermine Nigeria’s democratic balance.
“We can fix this problem, and we should,” he added.
In his response, the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Tanimu Turaki (SAN), thanked Dr. Hashim for the visit and his commitment to party unity. He assured that the party leadership under his watch remains open to reconciliation, stressing, however, that such efforts must not compromise the unity, stability and continued existence of the PDP.
The meeting, which held at Turaki’s residence in Asokoro, Abuja, was also attended by the Deputy National Chairman and the National Youth Leader of the party.
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