Kwara PDP crisis: reconciliation move hits the rocks again

THE crisis rocking the Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, deepened on Tuesday as the as the move by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee, NCC, of the Party to reconcile the warring factions hit the rocks

The failure of the national party to broker peace between the warring camps led by Iyiola Oyedepo and Sunday Fagbemi, manifested barely minutes after the stakeholders came out of the peace meeting which was held in Abuja‎

The NCC had summoned the meeting of party stake holders from the state to Abuja in a bid to reconcile them

The party had engaged Sen Solomon Ewuga to serve as mediator between the two warring factions.

But indications that the two-hours meeting ended in an intense deadlock emerged as some of the stakeholders were seen discussing angrily in clusters, while others hurriedly left venue of the meeting held at the Wadata National Secretariat of the Party.

Approached Journalists for comments, former minister of national planning Prof Suleiman Abubakar refused to speak with newsmen but directed them to a former senator, Suleiman Ajadi, who angrily rebuffed them saying “what journalists, what journalists, can’t you see we are discussing”.

Earlier, Sen Makarfi, while speaking during the open session had warned the warring factions to tow the part of four other states that have resolved to work together, noting that Kwara State was reputed to be very politically mature.

Makarfi who further urged them to put their house in order, warning that they risk losing the party’s structure in the state to members that will join later.

According to Makarfi, “Kwara State is the only state we are meeting with like this. We have four states that we already have submissions from them based on the resolutions passed and approved at Convention. All sides to the conflict in the states jointly signed and made a submission in the overall interest of the party.

He cited chapters as Lagos, Adamawa already making progress and will soon make their submissions to NCC.

“They didn’t require us to meet with them. Of all the seven states, we have four already and the others will conclude over the Sallah holidays.

“People can question the leadership qualities in any particular state where there are seven affected, and six will get it done and one will be there fighting among themselves. And Kwara is highly politically mature and active to prevent this kind of isolation.

“We have delayed the state because of influx of people joining the party and they want accommodation. So, what we want is not just people who are in PDP to reconcile and move forward, we also have influx of people wanting to join the party. And nobody will wait for any particular person.

“The earlier people put their heads together then they can be in a greater position to have, no matter the kind of influx, overwhelming control of political events. In this kind of situation, delay is dangerous. Kwara, as you are waiting, you don’t know what development may occur. And before you know it, you start regretting why did you have to wait for so long.”