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Powerful forces behind APC crisis – Durojaiye

Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye

A former member of the Senate, Olabiyi Durojaiye, has identified the antics of some powerful forces longing to disrupt the programmes of the ruling All Progressives Congress as responsible for the crisis in the party.

The ex-lawmaker, who stated this in a statement sent via email to our correspondent, however urged party members to look at the bigger picture and the goodwill being enjoyed nationally and internationally by the party.

He said, ‘‘I think the way out is to recognise that there are some powerful elements who do not want the programme of change designed by the APC to succeed. So, we should look at the bigger picture and the tremendous goodwill the APC party and government are enjoying nationally and internationally. We should not allow the temptations fanned by the opponents of progress and change to lure us into a crisis that may shift our attention from our laudable goal.’’

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Durojaiye said he had always stood for disciplined behaviour with a belief that party directives should be followed unless there was justifiable and exceptional reason to do otherwise.

He added, ‘‘In the circumstances in which we are, it may be wiser to apply the Latin phrase ‘festina lente’– (make haste slowly) so that opponents may not ridicule us for inability to handle our brilliant success. For any “strong hammer remedy” or firm insistence on our right may be counter-productive on the long run.’’

He also advised the party’s leadership to close its eyes to certain aspects of indiscretion or disobedience so that the party’s line of progress would not be obstructed or its focus shifted by irritating distraction.

Durojaiye said, ‘‘this is a personal opinion subject to the majority view of the party. The sum total of all I have said is that we should work out a formula that will not lead to any extreme either way. Suppose for example, the party leaders and elders decide to caution the Senate President but allow him to retain his position while we insist on all true lovers of progress for Nigeria to persuade the Deputy Senate President to voluntarily resign his position while retaining his seat as an ordinary member of the Senate? His former boss – Senator David Mark has shown some leadership in this direction by not angling for any position.’’

According to him, from experience, a lawmaker does not have to hold any principal office in the Senate to make an impact and contribute significantly to nation building.

He also described as absurd and unjustifiable the sharing of top positions in the Senate among the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC, noting that the former did not allow power sharing with the opposition when it was in power for 16 years.