By Fred Nwaozor
Ever since the acclaimed Africa’s largest political party – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) relinquished power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2015, it has remained unsteady, thereby making the onlookers believe that it’s has manipulated by a certain cabal solely interested in the party’s extinction.
The worst of all remains that, rather than being deeply concerned about how to make amends where necessary, the party has chosen to indulge itself in an endless ‘Makosa dance’ whose drumbeat is seemingly fabricated by the judiciary. Dancing to the tune of such music has ended up showcasing revelry of shame in the entire Nigerian polity.
It would be recalled that the party in question was meant to have its National Convention, that was  expected to produce its next substantive leadership, two weeks ago, precisely on Wednesday August 17, 2016. Pathetically, the venue for the said event scheduled to hold in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was barricaded by a group of well-armed security personnel in accordance with the order issued to them by the Federal High Court of Abuja Division.
It’s worth noting that Justice Ibrahim Watila of the Federal High Court of Port-Harcourt Division had earlier ruled that the proposed convention being organized by the Ahmed Makarfi – led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) should go on as planned and thus ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the police to provide legal backing as well as maximum security for the exercise. Subsequently, as if Nigerian courts of law are now rivals to each other, that of Abuja Division presided over by Justice Okon Abang barred the convention from holding as requested by the Modu Sheriff–led National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party that claims it remains the party’s leader till 2018. This obviously smacks of mischief. Owing to the contradictory ruling of the latter, all efforts put in place towards ensuring a successful convention proved abortive.
Indeed, the PDP had become so polarized following the May 21, 2016 National Convention of the party held in Port-Harcourt, which sacked the Sheriff–led NEC and consequently replaced it with the 7-man Makarfi–led caretaker committee with a mandate to organize another convention within 90 days. But, both parallel camps thereafter instituted a litany of suits at the Federal High Court, hence creating the ongoing nauseous scenario that hasridiculed the judiciary.
It’s unarguably mind–boggling that having ruled over a certain case, another law court of equal jurisdiction would accept to entertain the same subject matter brought before it. Such attitude isn’t unlike, to say the least, a betrayal and sabotage not just  the judiciary but  Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended. If any Federal High Court, irrespective of its division, rules over a case, the only thing the aggrieved party is expected to do is to take the case to an appelate court.
Even if the case is yet to be ruled; provided it is lying on the desk of a certain law court, no other court of coordinate (equal) jurisdiction has the constitutional right to entertain same subject matter if eventually brought before it by a different plaintiff.
The judicial custodians in the country are apparently taking the country’s judiciary to the mould, thus making its status seem laughable. The Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) need not be told that it’s high time it woke from its slumber and acted as expected of it, because it’s obvious that a lot is getting out of hand. It might interest, perhaps shock you to note that, currently, scores of suits filed by various members of the PDP are reportedly lying in several courts across the federation.
The court cases instituted by the factional national leaders of the party could be described as minor, considering the enormity of cases filed by their counterparts at the various state levels.
We can’t continue to make mockery of the judiciary that’s seen as the ‘last hope’ of the citizenry. The lingering Makosa dance abruptly embarked upon by the PDP alongside the judiciary has gotten to its climax that it requires the candid intervention of all concerned, particularly the overall founding members of the party. It’s even more pitiable and worrisome to acknowledge that some of these founding members have graciously taken their leave, or defected to the APC
Anyone who truly loves Nigeria ought to come to the rescue of the PDP before it goes into extinction, because the country is seriously in need of a viable opposition and such cannot be guaranteed if the embattled party isn’t resuscitated. Initially, most analysts cum commentators were of the view that the ongoing disagreement among the PDP members was for the party’s good; but, it’s conspicuous that the ostensibly welcomed melodrama has suddenly metamorphosed into an unforeseen Makosa dance, which is an aberration.
At this point, I suggest the PDP should go back to the drawing board. The most apt thing to do now is to retrace its steps to the genesis. No right thinking Nigerian, or anyone who understands the essence of a proactive opposition, especially at this critical moment, would love to see the party fade away like mere smoke. Let us in our respective capacities endeavour to call the warring factions to order in the best interest of the country at large.
It’s time to say goodbye to retrogressive issues. The bone of contention remains that Nigeria is yearning for a healthy opposition, and the PDP, being one of the major political parties in the country, cannot afford to fail her. Think about it!

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Nwaozor writes from Owerri