Zakari Mohammed
By Onwuka Nzeshi
By Onwuka Nzeshi
The group of 57 members of the House of Representatives (G57) who recently declared their support for the Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may part ways completely with the PDP if the crisis rocking the ruling party was not resolved soon.
This indication emerged just as condemnation trailed Friday's political drama in which Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State was allegedly barred from entering the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt.
Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed who dropped this hint yesterday said the intra-party crisis, which has already created a division in the ranks of the ruling party may snowball into mass defection of lawmakers to other political parties if the leaders of the ruling party failed to reach a consensus on the fate of the party.
Mohammed, who was briefing newsmen on the plan of action ahead of the resumption of the House said the lingering crisis could affect legislative business at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
The House is expected to resume sitting on September 17, 2013.
The House is expected to resume sitting on September 17, 2013.
The spokesman of the House who is also a member of the G57 expressed fears that the PDP may lose its majority status in the House if the crisis in the party was allowed to fester longer than necessary.
He said that though the ruling party has a total of two hundred and eight (208) members in the lower Chamber, more aggrieved members may join the "new PDP" or better still defect to the mainstream opposition, All Progressive Congress that controls a total of one hundred and thirty-seven (137) seats.
Mohammed warned that if the party leaders failed to resolve the crisis promptly, it would be difficult for the PDP to recover the lost grounds and win any elections in Nigeria.
He however disclosed that the House would on resumption focus on issues such as the review of the 1999 Constitution, the Petroleum Industry Bill and resume its oversight functions of Ministries Departments and Agencies.
On the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Mohammed
Said the House Committee on Education has been part of the process of resolving the dispute between the union and the federal government, adding that the efforts would continue until an amicable solution was found to the crisis.
Said the House Committee on Education has been part of the process of resolving the dispute between the union and the federal government, adding that the efforts would continue until an amicable solution was found to the crisis.
Meanwhile, Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Dakuku Peterside has condemned last Friday's siege on the Rivers State Government House by men of the Nigeria Police.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Sylvester Asoya, the lawmaker described the incident as “a black day” for representative government in Nigeria.
Peterside said it was sad the policemen funded with tax payers money could prevent an elected Governor (Amaechi) from having access to the Government House.
He blamed the incident on the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and alleged that CP Mbu was out to cause confusion and ridicule democracy in the country.
“What is going on in Rivers State shows clearly that the topmost cadre of PDP do not appreciate the enormity of crisis in the land thus confirms that there is no genuine effort at resolving the terminal
crisis that has engulfed PDP. This insult on the Government of Rivers State is an affront to all elected political office holders in Nigeria that requires definite condemnation by all lovers of freedom and democracy.
crisis that has engulfed PDP. This insult on the Government of Rivers State is an affront to all elected political office holders in Nigeria that requires definite condemnation by all lovers of freedom and democracy.
“It is now obvious to the least discerning and the international community that Nigeria is on a free fall to maximum dictatorship. There is no iota of doubt that CP Mbu and the police in Rivers State is on a mission to destroy the last vestiges of civility and democratic spirit left in the land in service of some indiscernible aspiration.
“Mbu has effectively turned the Nigeria Police to a political party. All men of goodwill must rise up and say enough is enough of this encircling gloom as this is not a challenge to Governor Amaechi or the people of Rivers State but a clear affront on elected political authority and democracy itself,” he said.
Peterside also accused the Chairman of the PDP in Rivers State, Mr Felix Obuah of orchestrating the crisis in the state.
He said that those parading themselves as officers of PDP in Rivers State have displayed a lot of impunity and penchant to take sides in the political crisis plaguing the country.
He said that those parading themselves as officers of PDP in Rivers State have displayed a lot of impunity and penchant to take sides in the political crisis plaguing the country.
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