There Soon Will Be A Reconciliation Within PDP" -- Jalo

Alhaji Abubakar Jalo, the Deputy National publicity secretary of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) speaks on the ongoing efforts to resolve the crises within the said party.

The way out of the current "crisis of confidence" between the leadership of the party and the aggrieved members

The Tukur-led PDP came into office with a "three-point-agenda," Jalo says and names the goals: Reconciliation, Transformation and Rebuilding the party.

The politician remembers a Hausa saying, "Duk lokachin da ka ga fada yakichi, yaki chinyewa to za'a shirya," which means, "Where there is a fight, and it has not deteriorated to a level of hopelessness, certainly, there is a way out."

Jalo assures there will be reconciliation, and a compromise will be reached.

As Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido said once, "the opposition will be put to shame on the issue of the infighting within the PDP family," Jalo notes, adding that Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has also stated they are "loyal members of the party".

Governors who have performed well cannot go elsewhere only to become irrelevant, Jalo says. They should know that there is a better chance for them to do more for their individual states, and even the nation, when they remain in PDP.

"For example, Lamido and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State. Kwankwaso is building a new Kano, for him to come and be subservient to Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu or any other person, you know that is difficult," Jalo says.

Tukur as the National chairman will "not do anything that will spoil the chances of the party".

"You cannot expect a leader who has served successfully for eight years to come and serve a governor who may have done nothing compared to what you have done for your people within the same period of time.

"One thing most people don't know is that neither the leadership of the party nor the aggrieved governors will succeed if the PDP loses elections at the federal level, because no opposition party will take over power and say it will come and spare the leadership of the PDP, and even the governors.

"In this light, it is better for you to go with the devil you know than to go with the angel you don't know," Jalo says.

He notes that it is normal to have quarrels within one's family.

"The President has taken it upon himself to ensure that the PDP remains strong as one united family," he explains. "That is why like the true father that he is, he cannot bear to see one of his children being thrown out of the house or leaving the house to a place where he will not be comfortable.

"No opposition party will get power after spending 16 years outside will call upon any other person, especially those who have kept them outside power to join them. Our prayer is for the PDP to retain the Presidency and the party should get more governors into the fold because infighting will not do us any good."

Does PDP fear that the the aggrieved members will be lured away by opposition?

All ill-wishers, who expect bad things to happen to PDP because of the "little disagreement" within the party, can rush into other political parties to become senators, members of the House of Representatives, etc, Jalo says. However, if eventually they lose, they will "hurriedly come back."

It is better to look at the efforts being made by the President, and to assist him to move Nigeria forward, Jalo reckons.

Is timing of the National Dialogue a way for the Jonathan-led PDP administration to divert attention from more pressing issues?

No, Jalo says, adding that people are blaming the dialogue "for nothing". The President, according to him, gave a "blanket cheque" for everyone to come forward and speak out, and has gave the committee freedom to discuss any topic.

Any Nigerian can benefit from the dialogue, Jalo says, by writing, and making submissions.

"It is only when Nigeria becomes healthy that the black race will be taken seriously," Jalo says.

Appeal to PDP members who have formed a splinter group

Abubakar Jalo says it is normal to form a faction as an opposition member; however, he says, it is an insurrection if someone from the same political party as the sitting President says he is going to form a faction, and it is recognized by the INEC. It means the President is no longer controlling the situation.

Factionalisation can only succeed in a party which is outside power, Jaol further explains.

Jalo reminds that, as far as the PDP, Nigeria and her people are concerned, President Goodluck Jonathan is the President, Namadi Sambo is the Vice-President, and Tukur remains the duly elected National Chairman of the PDP.

He says the ministers would have to resign if they could not recognise that they are members at the discretion of Mr. President, as all of them are "products of Jonathan."

"Baraje is fighting the cause of Senator Bukola Saraki who has a case with the EFCC," Jalo continues. "The Kwara of Abubakar Saraki is not the Kwara of Bukola Saraki.

"If that state which is now under the PDP is lost to the opposition, that will be the end of the Saraki dynasty. What Abubakar Saraki did in his lifetime, Bukola cannot do. So there is a need for Baraje and Bukola Saraki to have a rethink.

"In spite of the EFCC case against Saraki, he is still a Senator and if he can prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, he can continue with his life. It is better for him and Baraje to sheathe their swords and join us to build the party. Don't forget, Baraje was the acting national chairman who stood firm and ensured that Tukur won the election. There are facts on ground, I was an ex-officio member when he was in office, and we knew what happened.

"This is a story for another day," Jalo concludes.