Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...
Afric TV24 - Update
A Coalition of Civil Society groups has raised the alarm that except measures were put in place, the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party “could truncate the nation’s democracy.”
The coalition in a communique issued at the end of its meeting on Sunday in Abuja to discuss the political imbroglio in PDP and its implication, however, condemned the comment credited to PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, against the breakaway faction.
Afric TV24 - Update
A Coalition of Civil Society groups has raised the alarm that except measures were put in place, the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party “could truncate the nation’s democracy.”
The coalition in a communique issued at the end of its meeting on Sunday in Abuja to discuss the political imbroglio in PDP and its implication, however, condemned the comment credited to PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, against the breakaway faction.
The communique which was signed by Mesele Joe, Chidi Nwabufo and Adamu Hussein, also advised all parties involved in the crisis to avoid making preemptive statements amid reconciliation.
The group included Conscience Nigeria, PAIN, Young Patriots, Centre For Democracy Advancement and Election Monitors.
The coalition stated, “The statement credited to the National Chairman of PDP Alhaji Bamanga Tukur in the media, threatening the breakaway faction of the party is uncalled for and we expect him to be working round the clock on how to reconcile the feuding parties rather than making unguarded statements that will further deepen the already tensed situation in the party.
“We also condemn in totality, the unwarranted and unprovoked attack on the Chairman, Board of Trustee of PDP Chief Tony Anenih, by Chief Edwin Clark. We appeal to him to act as a father to all in this dispute rocking the largest party.”
While calling on Clark to play the fatherly role as an elder statesman rather than been seen as a factor in the crisis, the coalition called on all the combatant parties to sheathe their sword in the intrest of democracy.
Also, Reform Network warned that the PDP crisis could truncate the constitution review process.
Specifically, they noted that Nigerians’ opposition to the plan by the National Assembly to legalise child marriage could be frustrated.
The group, however, stated that it had started a strategic framework and action plan to push for the removal of Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 constitution under which underage girls were deemed to be adults.
The National Coordinator of GECORN, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, and Secretary-General of Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, arrived at these resolutions in an interview with The PUNCH in Abuja during a meeting jointly organised by GECORN on the deletion of what they described as “offensive section.”
According to them, the meeting became necessary ahead of the resumption of the two sessions of the National Assembly on September 17.
The event was chaired by a former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili.
Mahdi said, “This is just the beginning of the struggle; we need to remain focussed because we have had many constitution review processes. We are at a point where the process is almost closed. The Senate is likely to complete the process. The split in the PDP may stall the constitution review process if care is not taken. We must not stop agitating for the deletion of Section 29 (4) (b) in the constitution.”
