News Editor
Hon. Francis Orogu is the immediate past Chairman of PDP in Nasarawa State.
In this interview with tmsnews Editor, David Odama in Lafia, the former Chairman of the party spoke on wide range of issues including: the state of the party at the National and state levels.
The Statements by Senator Ibrahim Onawo and some members of PDP who visited former Vice president, Atiku Abubakar, the internal wranglings in the party.
Excerpts:
Q: Hon. Orogu. You’ve been quiet since leaving office as the State Chairman of PDP, . Why did you take such stand despite burning issues in your party?
Ans: “First of all, let me thank you for the opportunity. It’s been a while since I granted any open interview or discussion with the press after leaving office. I just believe there’s a time for everything. I’ve done my bit, and the record is there for everyone to see. The country witnessed the last elections in Nasarawa State. I think this is the right time to reflect on what we did, what we failed to do, and prepare for the future.
Q: There was a meeting recently with some PDP members at the residence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. What’s your take on that?
Ans: The group of individuals who went to Atiku’s residence have every political right to seek guidance from our leader. However, in doing so, they must not cast the party in a negative light simply because they want to position themselves for national relevance. Some of them owe their current political status to this party. Without PDP, they wouldn’t be who they are today.”
Q: You seem to be referring directly to Senator Onawo and some other members of your party, What’s your response to his statement that went viral in a a video that the PDP has lost focus in Nasarawa?
Ans: Let me be clear: Senator I Rahim Onawo was elected just two years ago on the PDP platform. How then can he say the party has remain focused and will remain focused. It has not lost focus. The truth is that individuals like senator who have failed to contribute meaningfully. Since becoming senator, could only provide financial support of N10 million during the membership validation exercise. Rt. Hon. David Ombugadu also contributed N9.5 million for the same exercise, others made donations ranging from N200,000 to N300,000. Beyond that, he has not provide any form of support to the party in any way.
Q: What happened during the last congresses of the party? There seems to be some contention following the outcome of the congresses held in the state?.
Ans: Even in his own ward and local government, forms for the congress were purchased by His Excellency, not by him. The party ran on consensus across most areas. While in some areas, congresses were held without consensus, individuals were allowed to buy forms and contest. But instead of confronting the issue democratically, they rushed to court to frustrate the process. This has become his routine every four years. It’s not surprising.
Q: Can you speak to the claim that the party is divided or losing relevance by some of your members including senator Onawo who visited Atiku Abubakar recently?
Ans: “It is not the party that has lost relevance. It’s these so-called elders and stakeholders who have lost touch. When you invite them to meetings, they go behind to plan something different and then turn around to accuse the party. Most of them are what I call ‘compulsorily retired politicians’. They’ve lost local influence and are now looking for appointments at the national level.
Q: Do you believe these individuals genuinely supported Atiku during the last election?
Ans: Absolutely not. I have all the election records. Some of the big names in that delegation gave Atiku only seven votes in their units, some not even up to 150 votes! Many lost to APC or Labour in their polling units. What support are they talking about or claiming? Atiku doesn’t need empty grammar; he needs votes. I can proudly say I delivered for Atiku over 45% of votes in my local government from my efforts.
Q: What’s your message to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and others in view of the emerging new political journey’?
Ans: My advice to Atiku is to watch his back, pause and reflect. If this so-called new journey is to be championed by politicians who’ve lost influence and relevance, it’s bound to fail. If there must be a new journey, it is the PDP that will transmit it. Many have left this party, and many have returned. The party is not built around those it has made, but around the grassroots who believe in it.
Q: What’s your take on the party stability nationally in view of the perceived internal wranglings?.
Ans: Tell me which party is stable in Nigeria today not even the APC. If APC is stable, why haven’t they held a national convention? The party has been surviving on caretaker to another, they’re afraid of something. So, internal issues are not peculiar to PDP. As far as I’m concerned, PDP in Nasarawa is still focused, and it’s individuals like Onawo and his group that have lost direction.
