Chief Bode George has noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is going through a tumultuous period but added that former president, Goodluck Jonathan is not ready to step in.
In an interview with Vanguard, the PDP chieftain said he has been observing the way the party was disintegrating and wondered why Jonathan still decides not to address the issue.
“In the last one week, I have been wondering what the problem is all about? Are they insurmountable? Can’t we sit down and discuss without emotions? That is why I am pleading with both sides to please sheathe their swords otherwise, a divided house is a defeated house, which means both sides will be losers in the long run.
“There are worries that there is no rallying point in the PDP which brings me to the role of the former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. What steps has he taken to call both sides together since he is supposed to the leader of the party?
“You know, he is not even in the country now. I remember the last meeting we had with him in the Villa, where he thanked everybody for their role and he was on the final departure, he said he wanted one year sabbatical.
“That is what he said. Some of us were shocked and said he cannot go for sabbatical. Until a presidential candidate emerges, he remains the leader of the party. Some people may not agree with this.
“In the United States of America, whoever emerges the president, automatically becomes the leader of the party. In their own case. Maybe out of experience, the president appoints the chairman of the party it is not elective until another president comes. The chairman is there to manage the affairs of the party.
“In our own, there is a void, there is no Villa anymore where you can run to as a fallback position. All the appendages that goes with the villa, you no longer have them. The only rallying point of the party is the BoT, which should be an independent arbiter. If you want to be an independent arbiter, you should call all sides to sheathe their swords. I am begging both sides that it is not too late.
“As a member of a party that was established in 1998, a party that is not tribal in any format. Now that there is no headship, maybe that is why it is difficult to tell everybody to sheathe their sword that is why I want to appeal, in the interest of the coming and generations, who will read on the pages of history, they must find a solution.”