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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has voiced concerns over President Bola Tinubu‘s alleged involvement in the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) ongoing leadership crisis.
Shaibu warned that if PDP fails to resolve its national chairmanship disputes, Nigeria could face a collapse into a one-party system dominated by Tinubu’s political influence.
According to Shaibu, Tinubu’s political approach, which allegedly consolidated power within Lagos State for over two decades, could now be aimed at weakening opposition forces at the national level.
“We know his (Tinubu) strategy even as governor, he operated a one-party in Lagos State even after leaving office for over 20 years.
“From the local government to the state house of assembly, to the state governor. They will always stifle and muscle the opposition, we are not surprised.
“We know the drummers of war and those stocking the crisis right from the 2023 elections, the media is aware and they have never hidden their admiration for the role they are playing.
“First, they said it was G-5, we informed Nigerians this was where they were headed, so when we hear Nigerians complain today about poverty and hunger, you just know that when a cowboy visits a place, he leaves it in ruins until nothing can come out of that place.
“So, that is the agenda they are after. Instead of concentrating on governance, they are stocking the crisis so that they will be paid, get political patronage, and it’s a well-paid job,” Shaibu told DAILY POST.
In addressing solutions, Shaibu underscored the need for courageous and honest leadership within the PDP.
He argued that party leaders must confront those actively destabilizing the PDP.
“It’s possible but it takes boldness, audaciousness, and sincerity. They know those stocking the crisis and it’s for the leaders and governors of the party to come together.
“Some of our governors have surrendered their oath of office and personality to one man, so it’s difficult for them to tell anybody the truth,” Shaibu added.
He pointed out that, unlike the past when governors prioritized the party’s integrity, today’s political landscape sees leaders “playing to the gallery” rather than acting independently.
“Before now, governors were seen as people who could operate above board with sincerity of purpose but what we see today is a different ball game.
“We only have people who play to the gallery and the dictates of their bosom friends.
“If they are serious about resolving the crisis, it’s to call a spade-a-spade by telling those stocking the crisis to get out of the party.
“This is what we knew would happen because we know their agenda and we told them before now that these characters are shameless.
“They swallowed everything before – they once said ‘I will never be minister, never leave the party, now they proudly bragged about working against their own party – so, if you are a governor and you are a friend to such a person, do I need the services of a witch doctor to know the kind of person you are?” He queried.
He criticized leaders who publicly oppose Atiku’s potential 2027 bid while supporting the current president’s continuation, describing such behavior as a sign of “hypocrisy and ignorance.”
“Resolving the crisis is up to them because they know what they want. One character woke up the other day saying Atiku should not contest in 2027 because he would be 80 years old then.
“Yet, the same character wants the current president to continue in office. How old is the current president and how old will he be in 2027? Illiteracy is a misfortune and should never be taken as a privilege,” he added.
Despite the turmoil, Shaibu denied claims that the PDP is fragmented, emphasizing that Atiku remains loyal to a united party.
Shaibu clarified: “We don’t have a faction in the PDP, Atiku belongs to PDP and does not have a faction in the party and that’s why we don’t like to speak. This is a man who believes in the unity of Nigeria and charity they say begins at home.
“Wike says he’s a PDP member but does not just work for the party, and that’s why I said illiteracy is a misfortune that should never be taken as a privilege; when a man does not know that there is a difference between working with and working for, it’s a problem.
“If it’s working with the APC government, it’s a different thing but when you work for the government, it means that you work against your own interest and that of the people you claim to represent (your own party).
“So there is a difference between working for and working with – when they understand the grammar, life will be easy for them.
“When they say I work for an APC government but know that I’m a PDP member, you are correct but the message they want to convey is that they work with.
“They have already exposed the hypocrisy of what they are doing because it’s a different thing to work for and work with.
“When you work for you do their dirty jobs, their bidding but when you work with, you remain your own man, you say your own things and believe in your principles. Take it from me Atiku has no faction in the PDP.”
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