Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Kawu Baraje, has dismissed fears that the party was disintegrating, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to become a one-party state.
This is as he stated that the party has put its internal crisis behind it and is now united, following the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
He emphasised that there are “no more fights” within the party, stressing that leaders and members have resolved their differences and are working together with renewed focus to provide credible leadership and an alternative vision for Nigeria.
Speaking on Arise News Tuesday, Baraje acknowledged that internal disputes had long plagued the party, but emphasised that such issues were no longer hidden or surprising to Nigerians.
“We shall continue to ensure that this party, which is the most formidable opposition party in the country, continues to exist because Nigeria cannot avoid a one-party state, not now and never in the country,” he said.
Baraje also addressed concerns about party discipline, saying disciplinary issues remain internal matters. “The issue of party discipline is any other act of behaviour by members, it’s purely, purely internal to any group or to the political party.
“Yes, we may have constitutions which lay out what we may refer to as indiscipline for anti-party, but the way we tackle it is another thing entirely. If a party tackled its own by washing its lining in public, fine, we have other ways of carrying out our own disciplinary actions,” he said.
“Our pleading to the media, particularly, is to see us as making a very positive effort to galvanise an alternative for Nigerians to be able to choose, and let’s solve our problem in our own way,” he said.
Baraje explained that the meeting brought together governors, the National Working Committee (NWC), the Board of Trustees (BoT), and other formal and informal party organs.
He also stated that collectively, they agreed to put past grievances behind them and refocus on the goal of delivering credible opposition and good governance. “We have all decided to work for the progress of the party in the interest of providing good governance for the entire people of Nigeria,” he said.
While acknowledging that some members still have concerns, Baraje said unity was prioritised to keep the PDP strong and present a viable alternative to Nigerians.
“We know some people have some observations and complaints here and there, but to keep the party as one and for the sake of providing an alternative, a very positive alternative for Nigerians, everybody decided to keep their own grievances and provide a solution by co-operating with the party,” he said.
