PDP: What manner of reconciliation?

The reconciliation and harmonisation committees set up by the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have failed in its primary assignment to restore peace in troubled state chapters. Instead, they have compounded the problems of the party. The objective was to reintegrate the feuding members, particularly the supporters of the former national chairman, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, who was sacked by the Supreme Court.

Observers say the position of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee in recent time has put spanner in the reconciliation process. Before the Supreme Court judgment, both factions had promised to abide with the court ruling and vowed to work together for the progress of the party.

Both Makarfi and Sheriff have breached the undertakings. Since the judgment was delivered, Sheriff and his group have distanced themselves from the party. Sheriff said the PDP is now in the hands of looters and ruled out having anything to do with the party. If Sheriff, who lost out in the struggle had stayed away from the party, then, who will Makarfi reconcile with? Observers have described the move as a exercise in futility.