₦airaland Forum

It was on Christmas day Garba Shehu, one of President Mohammadu Buhari spokesman incurred the wrath of Nigerians when in his attempt to felicitate with Christians on Christmas,wrote the following on micro-blogging website, Twitter“As the year 2016 comes to a dead end, I wish you a festive season and a Happier year ahead. Regards to your dear ones,” 

 Such a reckless and insensitive statement would have gone unnoticed and forgiven if it were to be made by some twitter user but coming from Garba Shehu, a man who has been in the pen profession since God knows when and a man who ought to be mindful of the choice of words he spews out on a daily basis , the backlash that followed his tweet which was later re-editted, showed how unhappy Nigerians are with the present administration.

The Merriam-webster dictionary of English define the term 'dead end' as a "position,situation or course of action that leads to nothing further" or in other terms, " a situation, plan or way of doing something that leads to nothing further". Truth is,I for one, was never surprise about such a careless statement coming from Garba Shehu because, the entire media team of the President which has Shehu as a member, has a reputation of being insensitive to the plight of millions of suffering Nigerians.

Yes Mallam Shehu, 2016 is truly coming to a dead end. It has been a year so many businesses came to a 'dead end' because of the clear incompetence and cluelessnes of your principal to fashion out sound economic policies that will revive such businesses, it has been a year, so many Nigerians went to their early graves as a result of the desperation of your principal and his party, the APC to win Rivers state by all means, it has also been a year, free and fair elections, the judiciary,Opposition among several others came to their 'dead ends' as a result of your principals dictatorial tendencies.So, you were right after all.

If anybody had told ninety percent of Nigerians that, the year was going to end the way it is looking to end, I am sure most of them, would have not believed it. It has been a year that has been characterised by hunger, loss of jobs, failed plans and aspirations and so many sad and unpleasant stories  caused by the very Government we were told was coming to CHANGE things for the better now Change has turned to Chain.

2016 has been a year where, the APC led federal Government under President Mohammadu Buhari could hardly convince me on not deliberately orchestrating the hardship Nigerians are currently passing through just to punish them. If not, does our Commander in Chief need a susayer to advise him on the need to suspend the Treasury Single Account policy for sometime,That, Revamping the Economy is suppose to top his administration agenda at least for now instead of the so called Anti- Corruption fight the Government has been using to hunt perceived opponents?

Like Senator Shehu Sani rightly pointed out a certain time ago, President Buhari should be thankful to God that, Nigerians are not on the streets protesting. As it stands, they are hungry and like the saying goes, a hungry man is an angry man. 

As we gradually wrap up 2016,one thing is certain and that is, Nigerians are looking forward to a better and prosperous 2017. A year where the Buhari led Government will make up for the hard times it made it citizens suffer in 2016. A year where, there will be job boom, a year where, Nigerians will not have to queue in order to buy essential commodities,a year where each and every Nigerian irrespective of tribe,religion and party affiliation is given equal right and attention. A year where,political prisoners like Nnamdi Kanu and Col Sambo Dasuki will regain their freedom, a year where the Government will take decisive action on the continuous killing of innocent Nigerians by Fulani Herdsmen and finally, Nigerians are looking forward to a 2017 where they will begin to see and feel the dividends of the CHANGE mantra that brought the Government to power in all sectors as anything other than this might give birth to occupy Nigeria Season two...

Richard Romanus is a public Affairs commentator from Oderegha in Obubra LGA of CRS.

PRESIDENT BUHARI'S KITCHEN AND OTHER ROOM COMMENTS ON THE WIFE AND THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA WOMEN BY RICHARD ROMANUS.

Quite a lot of reactions have continued to trail, President Mohammadu Buhari's comments on his wife in far away Germany where he was reported to have told journalist that,his wife belongs to the Kitchen, the sitting room and the other room,presumably the bedroom. It will be recalled that, the president's wife, Aisha Buhari has in an interview with BBC, alleged that, the president has abandoned those who worked to bring the husband to power, and suggested the Government has been hijacked by a few individuals who now wield sweeping powers.

For me, duelling on Mrs Aisha Buhari's Frank interview is like a song that is on auto repeat. Apart from the president's apologist, consisting of his appointees, especially his media aides, some members of the President's Party, the All Progressive Congress APC) and a few Nigerians who have allowed politics and party affiliation be cloud their reasoning and sound judgement, majority of Nigerians know that, Aisha Buhari has spoken nothing but the truth. It is as a result of such genuine complains and observations by majority of Nigerians ever since this Government came on board that some of them are now been referred to as ' the Wailing Wailers' by the President's praise singers. The truth they say is bitter, but it must be told and that is exactly what, Mrs Buhari has rightly done.

Now back to the president's comments about his wife. I can tell you authoritatively that, I for once, was never surprised about such a statement coming from Mr President. This is because, the president and his party have never given Nigerians any reason to believe that, they value women and recognises their role in Nation building .We have a President who out of 36 ministers in his cabinet, has only six women as ministers, out of about15 Special Advisers so far appointed,only three are females while the female politicians in the APC also seem to be the worst hit in the ongoing re-constitution of federal government boards and parastatals as 97% of the appointments seem to favour their male counterparts. In the National Assembly, only eight out of 23 female National Assembly members serving both in the Senate and House of Representatives are of the APC. How then do Nigerians expect a President with such a bad record of women empowerment not to make such a disgraceful statement about his wife?

Imagine if, Dr J.C Akunyili, Husband to late Prof Dora Akunyili had restricted such a beautiful soul to his Kitchen, Sitting room and other room,imagine if husbands to the Okonjo Iwealas, Omobola Johnsons, Arumnah Ottehs, Florence Ita Giwas, Margret Ekpos to mention but a few of this world had restricted them from pursuing their calling and dreams because to them, the whole duty of their wives is to cook for them, watch Television if any in the sitting room and satisfy their sexual urge in the bedroom, it means, they would have succeeded in denying Nigeria, the world class figures they are today.‎

Again, such remarks from a President of a country that called itself 'Giant of Africa' in far away Germany confirms to the world that, indeed, Nigeria has been taken ten years backward with the President Buhari Presidency. If today, in a developed country like the United States of America (USA), a woman in the person of Hillary Clinton is at the poll position to succeed President Barrack Obama while in Germany, where President Mohammadu Buhari unfortunately made such a discriminating remark, is lead by a woman,why can't our President begin to think of creating more avenues where Women contributions and role in our fledging democracy can easily be felt? Why can't he be an advocate of women be it in politics,Economy, or otherwise instead of indirectly telling them that, their responsibilities starts and ends in the Kitchen and the other room?
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The president himself cannot wish away the fact that, women have,for the four consecutive times he has contested for the Nation's number one seat, played an integral role in the elections be it materially,physically and politically hence the need to reward such roles by way of creating an environment where they can be anything anywhere including President. Henceforth, women must be considered for appointments while the few currently serving in his administration are also accorded the privilege of being part and parcel of the president's entourage to official visits outside the country.

He must emulate his immediate past predecessor in the person President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who it is on record had the largest number of women in his Government and the result of that is seen through the different international roles most of them now play in the in the international scene. This way, President Buhari would have been able to reassure Nigeria women that, apart from their traditional duty of cooking for their husbands and satisfying their sexual urge, they are also as important as their male folks in the Nigeria project.‎

‎Finally, the place of women in any endeavour can never be over emphasised and given their enormous contributions to socio-economic and socio-political development in Nigeria, there can be no meaningful advancement where Women are excluded let alone restricted in the kitchen, sitting room and other room.‎

Richard Romanus is a public Affairs Commentator from Oderegha in Obubra LGA of Cross River States.

It is no longer news that,Nigeria Economy is on life support struggling between life and death. From the market women to the taxi drivers, husbands to breadwinners of families, writers to readers among others, the bad shape of the nation's economy seems to be the reigning song on every lip.

Sadly, the activities of the Government they ignorantly voted for,is not offering them hopeless talk less of hope as clearly seen in some of its programmes and policies.
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If not, how do one explain the fact that, at a period where Nigerians are facing severe hardship, a period where some families can no longer afford school fees for their wards, a period where tenants are ejected on a daily basis by their landlords as a result of their inability to pay rents, a period where some families cannot even boast of one meal a day and a period where families are losing their love ones to the cold hands of death due to the lack of good medical care, is the same period, the federal Government is launching one crap called 'CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME'.

As a matter of fact, this singular action by a government that came into power with a promise of improving the living conditions of Nigerians is to say the least, wicked and a clear abuse of Nigerians sensitivity. It shows how insensitive, the APC led federal Government under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari is, to the plight of the poor masses.

To start with, why on earth should change begin with Nigerians when their President is not showing good example and has not changed from his dictatorial tendencies of 1984? He wants Nigerians to change, yet the last time I checked, Nobody has cited his SSCE certificate inspite of all the controversies it generated rather, what he did was to hire SAN's and lawyers to defend him in court. Hmmmm, this is a case of Mr President asking Nigerians to do for Nigeria what he cannot do.

Furthermore, how does the 'Change begins with me' campaign reduce the price of a cup of rice that now sells for N150 a cup as against the 70-80 Naira it was formerly sold or the price of Indomie Super pack that now sells for N120 from N60? Infact, who CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME DON EPP?

Does the Buhari administration need a Susayer to know that, it's economic policies if any are not yielding results and his entire Economic team have failed, hence the need to look beyond party, ethnic and religious lines towards getting the right people that will remedy our present situation?

Here is a country that is blessed with world class and respected Economist like Dr Okonjo Iweala, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Shamsudeen Usman,Alex Otti, Tony Elumelu, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, Peter Obi among others yet, while they receive standing Ovation outside the shores if this country, back home,they are maligned, bastardised, mocked and ridiculed.

For God sake, Islam will not cease to be what it is, if Mr President takes the bull by the horn by inviting some of these persons or other young Nigerians who have a deep knowledge about Nigeria's Economy into whatever capacity he deems fit to restore our economy.

It is sickening, nauseating and above all annoying to note that we have a President who considers each and every decision he takes as final not minding the impact of such decisions on the people. It is also sad that, virtually all the things Governor Ayo Fayose and Mr Femi Fani Kayode said about President Mohammadu Buhari during the heat of the 2015 general elections, is what is playing out and the president is not showing any form of pretence. No CHANGE!

I align myself totally with Senator Ben Murray Bruce and Dr Oby Ezekwesili who had blamed the country's Economic woes to the hurried implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the President's wrong approach to the War Against Corruption. President Buhari should have known that keeping money out of circulation in a recession and putting so much pressure on the Naira as a result of withdrawals by foreign investors who wanted to keep their money save and secured as a result of His one sided anti Corruption fight will have an adverse effect on the country.

I like to ask,where is all the acclaimed recovered loots this administration claimed it has recovered? In which bank accounts are there kept? What is the total amounts so recovered? And why is the government borrowing when we have recovered so much?

Like the former President, Goodluck Jonathan remarked on October 15,2009 at the Nigeria investment forum in far away Abu Dhabi,UAE " if the Goodwill exists and the right approaches are used, all can be winners in the development process ". It is therefore imperative on President Mohammadu Buhari to urgently go back to the drawing board, re-examine some of his policies, bring the right people on board irrespective of their party, religion and ethnic inclination for the overall development of our country.

Enough of the blame games Mr President. Nigerians are tired and fed up with your incessant lamentation. It is time for you and your  team to offer solutions not blame the past administration for your failures. Beside, Nigerians expect that you read out your blue print and timelines going forward in this administration.

It is now time for you to take responsibility and begin to act while Nigerians think of what to do to you and your party come 2019 because truly truly, THEM DEY VEX.

Richard Romanus is a public Affairs Commentator from Oderegha in Obubra LGA of Cross River State. He can be reached on 08117135257.

NDDC CHAIRMANSHIP AND THE CHALLENGE BEFORE SENATOR VICTOR NDOMA EGBA (SAN,OFR,CON) BY RICHARD ROMANUS .

It's been 16 years after the Niger Delta Development commission (NDDC)was established with a core mandate of improving social and environmental conditions of the people of Southern region but one question that seems to be begging for answer is; Whether or not, the commission has achieved it's mandate.

It is true that successive administrations,before the establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),had made concerted effort towards alleviating the poverty and suffering of the people through the establishment of  Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB), Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDDBDA) and Oil Mineral Producing Development Areas Commission (OMPADEC),all at different periods and regime. However, all of such efforts were either thwarted by either lack of sincerity of purpose by those saddled with the responsibility or lack of funding by the same government.

Comparatively, the Niger Delta Development Commission since its establishment by President Olusegun Obasanjo,unlike others have tried to live up to its core objectives especially in the areas of roads, skill acquisition and transportation but I dare say that more could have been achieved if all that have had the opportunity to serve in one position or the other at different times in the commission, do so with the interest of the people of Niger Delta at heart first before their interest.

The commission has over the years been denied of people of impeccable character and integrity which is why some of the many projects and programmes that have been introduced by the commission,some with very good chances of impacting positively on the people and region had failed.

Some of the several schemes, successive management of NDDC have floated to deceive the people, include, NDDC mass transit scheme where drivers were given substandard vehicles for hire purchase, Construction of fake roads that cannot withstand one heavy rainfall,procurement and sharing of solar power streets lights amongst the top brass of the commission  to the detriment of most communities in the Niger Delta that could have needed it most among others.

A closer look at how the commission has operated since its establishment, reveals how the focus of its several management embarks more on gigantic projects that will satisfy their interest in terms of monetary gains and not a type that will have direct impact on the very same people the commission was meant to Carter for.

The appointment of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba at a time, the Niger Delta region is witnessing renewed crises is commendable and apt as he is one of the few Nigerians who go out of their way to ensure that,things are done correctly and valuable impacts are left behind  in any office they occupy. His record in the Senate is there for any Nigeria to see.

Therefore,His invaluable advise and recommendations to Mr President on how to appease the people of Niger Delta after a long period of neglect and underdevelopment of the region is expected of him since his new assignment affords him the opportunity to interface with people.

Furthermore, with his huge experience in the public service, one expects that, the commission under his watch fully assumes it's powers and functions of formulating policies and guidelines for the development of Niger Delta as well as Conceive,plan, and implement in accordance with set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the area especially in the field of transportation, roads construction, industrialisation, water supply and electricity, agriculture, fisheries, housing and urban development among others.

It is now the responsibility of the new Chairman to ensure that he puts a stop to the numerous sharp practices of members of the board and commission that has hampered it from making considerable impact.

It was Former President Goodluck Jonathan, during the commemoration of the Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro in London who said " we cannot achieve the goals we have set for ourselves if we don't act as one people. Societal growth is delayed if not guided by the compass of collective vision and a well defined destination". The new board and commission must ensure that, the commission's projects are evenly distributed devoid of party politics and favouritism as it is only then, the Niger Delta of our dream can be realise.

On his part, they is an urgent need to appoint new people as aides in order to reflect Change while he avoids the mistake of reappointing certain people who were with him at the Senate because like somebody rightly posited, most of them were his greatest undoing.

With him as the new NDDC chairman, I believe that, the Ovukwa woman in Obubra Local Government Area,that urgently needs a motorable Road to enable him carry his farm produce to the market will get attention while the oderegha man also in Obubra Local Government Area whose only source of drinking water is 'ibaja' or 'Chicago' will be rest assured that help is on its way. What about other interior communities in the Niger Delta region where development seems to be elusive, it is my believe that, the new board of NDDC under the Chairmanship of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba will give every state, local government, ward and community a sense of belonging‎ after all CHANGE has come.

May the dark patches in the Niger Delta give way to light.

Richard Romanus is a public affairs commentator from Cross River and can be reached on 08117135257.

SENATE NOT BOURDILLION BY Richard Romanus

Let me begin this piece by making it very clear that I have never been a fan of Senator Dino Melaye. Infact, I am one of those persons that has been so critical of the Jarman of Okuta and his style of politics. Till date, my old twitter account@richieluv90
remains blocked from tweeting at@dino_melaye
, His official twitter handle after telling him, how he lacked the moral standing to criticise the then Rivers State House of Assembly saga since he was the one who introduced wrestling and boxing as part of legislatures oversight functions in the House of Representatives.

Furthermore, His activities as Executive Secretary, Anti-Corruption Network, an organisation that was founded by him were to say the least,bias and highly partisan. Some people including me, regarded the defunct organisation as a political wing of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and one that was particularly formed for the sole aim of discrediting the former PDP administration under President Goodluck Jonathan in the eyes of the international community and from all indications, we were right as the organisation has since gone extinct after achieving it's purpose.But just like they say in politics, 'No permanent enemy but permanent interest', I have since buried my hatred for Senator Dino since we both have one interest, which is 'fighting for the independence of the Nigeria Senate.

As at today, one of the biggest topic of discussion in Nigeria is, the quarrel between Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Oluremi Tinubu and how Senator Dino allegedly told her, he will beat her up, impregnate her and nothing will happen. While one will wonder what might have warranted such a harsh and undistinguished comment from him,the questions are, why always Remi?Is she the only Nigeria female Senator?

For me, Senator Remi's bossy and insulting attitude in the Senate where she thinks she can make derogatory remarks on her colleagues and even the Senate President is becoming out of control and must urgently be checked.

It will be recalled that, Senator Remi Tinubu took the political rivalry between her husband (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and Senator Musliu Obanikoro to the Senate when she almost went physical with the then ministerial nominee if not for the intervention of her colleagues during the latter's mininisterial screening at the Senate. They are other instances where, She raised her colleagues eyebrows by knowingly and arrogantly sitting on the Deputy Senate President's Seat in the Red Chamber and another case where it was widely reported, she snubbed the Senate President during her inauguration among several other instances within and outside the Senate.

From the foregoing, it is very clear that, Senator Oluremi Tinubu needed a fellow Senator with an uncommon courage and ruggedness to tell her what other people within and outside the Senate are afraid to tell her for fear of the Jagaban, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. Truth is, for every Goliath, there is always a David who will damn all the consequences just to stand up against his Goliath and that is what Senator Dino has succeeded in doing and he has won my respect for that singular act. Senator Remi needed somebody to remind her that, the 'Nigeria' Senate belongs to Nigerians and not an extension of her husbands bourdillion where politicians from different party crowd for favour. She needed a fearless Dino to tell her 'enough is enough' and am sure the message was clear to her.

I have read very funny comments on the social media about Senator Dino and how he has singlehandedly truncated his political career but I beg to differ. Like he, Senator Melaye rightly pointed out in a press briefing, only God gives power. If God is for him, A thousand Tinubu cannot stop him. As a matter of fact, I rather fear for Asiwaju. It appears his reign as the strong man of Southwest politics and by extension Nigeria is coming to an end. If Dino walks free which I sincerely believe he will, many other Dino's' will follow suit and this time, it might not be through Remi but a direct attact.

Even though it is true that Asiwaju has made so many people what they are today including state Governors, Senators, House of Representatives members, ministers, Chairmen of boards etc as I hear Senator Remi very often claims and boast,humility remains a virtue she must urgently imbibe after all, her husbands achievement were and are made possible through God's approval. Whatever she does outside the Senate, is non of my business but she and her husband must not allowed their desperation to add to the list of people they have made, the position of Senate President to belitle, ridicule and cause unnecessary tension in the Nigeria Senate.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu must be reminded that, she is not the only female Senator in the 8th Senate as they is a former Deputy Governor,minister, House of Rep member, Speaker of State House of Assembly with very intimidating CVs when compared to hers among others currently serving as Senators hence, the need for her to exercise some caution and decorum in the discharge of her legislative assignment.
#SenateNotBourdillion

Richard Romanus is a Cross Riverian, from Obubra Local Government Area. He can be reached on 08117135257.

Where is Garba Shehu? That is not the PMB SSA on media please.

teejaykkr:
The Guy is asking Baba buhari is that the way are we going to do the Ramadan (Fasting)? And Baba answered him with;continue to be patient.

SENATOR LIYEL IMOKE; ONE‎ YEAR AFTER AS GOVERNOR OF CRS BY RICHARD ROMANUS

Today the 29th of May 2016, makes it exactly one year, a man who till date,holds the record of being the youngest ever Senator in Nigeria, Senator Liyel Imoke left Office as Governor of Cross River State after a successful and meritorious tenure of eight years.

For me and maybe many others, his tenure is one that cannot be forgotten in a hurry because he was a man whose administration centred round the people and their wellbeing especially the rural dwellers.

From the hills of Obanliku to the rainforest of Bakassi, the former Governor Imoke led administration ensured that not even a community is left out in his rural development drive. Under him, it was a case of, if they don't have electricity, they should have an accessible Road, if they don't have a good health facility, they should atleast have a source of good drinking water if they can't  have all this in a community.

Border Communities were not left out as his administration also made sure that such communities, most of whom are located in very difficult terrains are carried along through the provisions of adequate security and other infrastructural amenities  just to give them a sense of belonging.

As a youth, I cannot forget in a hurry that immediately Senator Liyel Imoke took office eight years ago, he created the ministry of youths and sports development, office of the Special Assistant, youth matters and personal Assistant on Student Matters. Today, one can confidently state that, it is courtesy of the good foundation he laid for my generation that we now have youths as Commissioners and Special Advisers in the present administration.

His administration also created the Micro-Finance enterprise Development Agency  (MEDA) an agency that was deliberately created to mould the future Dangotes,Otedolas and Adenugas of this world through the provisions of loans facilities and business advise nobody can get for free anywhere in the world. Furthermore, his love and passion for the youths led to the establishment of the bridge foundation. A foundation he founded for the sole aim of providing proper mentoring and counselling for the tomorrow of our dream.

If anybody remember how our elections were turned to war fronts and how brothers became sworn enemies because of elections some few years ago before Imoke came on board, we will remain eternally grateful to this man for the peace and tranquillity he brought to bare in our politics.

It takes a man of courage to cause all public office holders to swear to an oath denouncing cultism. This was one of the few courageous actions Senator Liyel Imoke while in office towards stamping out all cult related activities in the state. The result eight years after, is audible to the deaf and visible to the blind as they say.

The eight years he was in power, was exactly the same time his colleagues in Taraba, Niger, Ondo and Enugu States were having running battles with their deputies and their various  state's House of Assemblies but for him in the state, it was eight  years of loyalty, trust, friendship and brotherhood with his deputy and eight years of robust and cordial working relationship with the State House of Assembly. 

Apart from the the last People's Democratic Party (PDP) primaries which many believed was a superiority tussle between the 'Abuja politicians' and the 'The home boys' and was also predicted to be a winner takes it all contest which turned out to be so, Political observers still hold the belief that the good leadership of the Cross River State PDP under Senator Imoke still kept the party intact as seen in the outcome of the 2015 elections. How he managed to arrive at Senator Ben Ayade who today is the incumbent Governor in the midst of over twenty qualified aspirants without rancour remains a mirage to many.

Love him or hate him, Senator Liyel Imoke sure has a place in the history of our dear state as one Governor, who came,saw and conquered.

One year after, we can only thank you your Excellency,for handing over to no other person but Senator Prof Ben Ayade who is already working wonders in Cross River State in just one year in office.

Richard Romanus is a public affairs Commentator from Oderegha in Obubra LGA, CRS

Undermine PDP's alarm at ur own peril. For every ministry, Department and agency, they is a shadow minister and Director General furnishing the party with all the relevant information. We must not also forget, they have been in power for 16yrs.

ON PDP PARALLEL CONVENTION BY RICHARD ROMANUS.

Even though the avoidable imbroglio that ensued in Nigeria's biggest opposition party (PDP) on may 21st (Yesterday) 2016 where two separate conventions were held by two factions of the party,did not go down well with many, including this writer, the melodrama has since been seen by me as a good omen for the party ahead of 2019.

It is a good omen because, even when so many people thought the outcome of the 2015 general elections, marks the dead of the party, they are still a large number of committed members who still believe, with proper restructuring and repositioning, the party still has a chance to reclaim power.

The truth is, while the APC led government under President Muhammadu Buhari is still basking in the euphoria of coming out victorious in the last elections against their expectations almost one year now with little or nothing they can easily point at as their achievements, the People's Democratic Party on the hand, never believed in their widest imagination that, they are going to be an opposition party so soon.

The internal wrangling in the party clearly shows that the party is in an unfamiliar terrain and like every learner in a skill, they are bound to make mistakes. Suffice it to say that, the  parallel convention by the two factions of the party can be said to be one of those necessary mistakes the party must make in order to move forward.

But in all, listening to the different leaders of the two factions at the end of their conventions, it is obvious that, leaders of both camps are willing and ready to give peace a chance which is why, rather than elect a new National Executive Council of the party as expected, both camps opted for  caretaker committees pending when, they will both reach a common ground. 

The sacking of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff caretaker committee by the PDP Governors faction remains a huge concession considering the fact that, Senator Ali Module Sheriff emergence right from day one as caretaker chairman of the party has widely been oppose by the Prof Jerry Gana led faction.

It has always been my considered opinion that, for PDP to get it right, members must place party above self as now is the time for all those who claim to love the party to show it by their personal sacrifices and unrivalled commitment to the rebuilding process of the party.

For Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, even though I have always considered him to be the best man to lead the party at this time considering his huge experience as tested opposition politician, he must see himself as the sacrificial lamb who gave way so that that the PDP 'may' be United and be better positioned for 2019.

The Prof Jerry Gana faction on the hand with their bundle of experience realise that gone are the days where a political party or politician win elections through beautiful Manifestos as politics these days is about the party or candidates financial war chess hence the need for Governors to be given their rightful place in the decision making cadre of the party since as Governors, they control and manage all the finances entering into their various states as well as other structures.

Like I told a PDP faithful like my humble self just yesterday afternoon after watching the Prof Gana led faction Convention in Abuja, maybe the two factions wants to be reminded that, for the party to succeed, they both need each other. While one faction can boast of the resources and structures, the other is bringing experience and wide contact to the table.

I like to end this piece with a quote by Winston ChurchHill who said, "When they is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you" and another by. J.K Rowling who said, " We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided". For PDP to reclaim power come 2019, fighting one another is not the key but talking to one another is.

PDP! CHANGE THE CHANGE 

Richard Romanus is a public affairs commentator and politician from Oderegha, Obubra LGA of Cross River State.