The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, harped on the need for strong institutions that serve the state rather than the whims and interests of those in charge at any given time.
The NCC of the PDP at a press conference addressed by its National Caretaker Committee chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, along with some of its leaders in Abuja stated that the recent altercation between some people in the country, which degenerated into the issuance of ultimatum and counter ultimatum for some to leave certain areas is an ill wind that blows no good, more so that the nation has a sad history of not so dissimilar circumstances that it had better not allow a repeat.
The party pointed out that Nigeria, for example, needs institutions like armed forces and security agencies to operate on the premise of loyalty to the nation rather than loyalty to the President, Governor or whatever nomenclature the chief executive is given.
The NCC of the PDP maintained that this should not look like a novel idea because “we see it happening everyday around the world in countries that have built strong institutions that are the bastions of their democratic structures.” Makarfi pointed out that now that democracy has got foothold in the country by, for the first time, surviving all the elements for close to two decades, a critical look at areas that need improvement is imperative.
The NCC chairman of the leading opposition party in the country posited that it is not out of place for any or all segment(s) of the country to come up with ideas that they believe will strengthen the structures of federation with a view to restructuring it in such a way that it serves “all of us and not just some of us.
” Such exercise, the PDP argued, should take a very good and critical look at all the structures and institutions as well as how they operate with a view to giving them a new sense of direction in tune with current best practices, though, as with all societies, taking due consideration to its peculiarities as a people. It added that whatever comes out of such exercise, so long as it is the aggregate agreement of the people, “we should get to work to ensure that it works.”
According to the NCC of the PDP, “Now that democracy has got foothold in the country by, for the first time, surviving all the elements for close to two decades, a critical look at areas that need improvement is imperative.“It is therefore not out of place for any or all segment(s) to come up with ideas that they believe will strengthen the structures of our federalism with a view to restructuring it in such a way that it serves all of us and not just some of us.
“The recent altercation between some of our people which degenerated into the issuance of ultimatum and counter ultimatum for some of us to leave certain areas is an ill wind that blows no good, more so that we have a sad history of not so dissimilar circumstances that we had better not allow a repeat.
“Hate speeches either coming from the North, South, East or West must be avoided and be condemned by all of us. “This country belongs to all of us, and every one of us must be allowed to enjoy the constitutional guarantee of freedom to live and move about this vast God-blessed land without let or hindrance to pursue his or her legitimate endeavours,” the PDP said.
Senator Makarfi reiterated that mutual respect and accommodation are a very necessary ingredient, saying, “We have had that before; we still have that and must not allow it to elude us.”
He equally advised that “We must also ensure that we have a better legacy to upcoming generations than the one bequeathed to us, and not worse. This is the way decent societies are built and developed by each generation, building on the blocks laid by its predecessor(s), not destroying what they found in place. There’s no harm however in trying to improve upon an existing structure. “North, South, East or West, we remain Nigerians and we must continue to make conscious and deliberate efforts to develop and not diminish this our beloved country.
“We must therefore, as in any vibrant union, continue to engage ourselves in various conversations that will oil the wheels of our progress. “It is in view of this that the PDP wishes to acknowledge the efforts of rational national leaders across board for weighing in on the side of restraint and the imperative of peaceful coexistence,” the NCC of the PDP maintained.
The party, which stated that the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo deserves commendation for the steps he has so far taken to douse the tension occasioned by the altercation, called on all government to build on that by ensuring that it’s programmes, policies and steps are tailored in such a way and manner that no section of the country is given the impression that it doesn’t count. Makarfi, on behalf of the entire membership of the PDP however joined all compatriots in sympathising with the President and praying over the current state of his health, adding, “We wish President Muhammadu Buhari a quick recovery.”
