PDP PUTSCH, THE COUP MUST NOT STAND!

Icheoku says the Abubakar Atiku led seven vagrant governors' attempt to forcibly hijack the PDP should be understood for what it is - a civilian coup de`tat or its attempt at minimum, period. As with any unsuccessful coup, its hatchers and perpetrators should be mercilessly crushed in order to send a message that such unlawful act of moving against duly elected and constituted body is always gravely frowned at. Icheoku has nothing against anyone or any group of persons from taking a stand, advocating a position or even ganging up to push what they consider is in their best interest. They can also use or choose any platform to lender amplification to their cause or voice. BUT for the same person or group of persons to attempt to illegally hijack the machinery of a duly established, authorised and otherwise functioning political party because certain policies therein are disagreeable to them should be frowned at by all decent men and women of the given geographical entity irrespective of their party affiliations. It is not right, it is wrong, it is illegal. Such unruly behavior by a handful of dejected former party members, if allowed to stand is capable of resulting to anarchy and therefore must be crushed and ruthlessly.

Icheoku says if Abubakar Atiku and those recalcitrant governors as well as their followers want to leave the PDP they are free to do so. If they want to pitch their tent with the opposition APC they are also so entitled. If any of them wants to run for the presidency in 2015 or any other future date, they are equally eminently so entitled. If they want to form a new political party or decamp enmass to their newly registered political party, PDM, and then use that platform to oppose or challenge the president come 2015, let them be my guest. But what Icheoku as well as many other millions of discerning Nigerians will not tolerate is the latest antic by some disgruntled former PDP hacks to hijack the PDP and with it, the governance at the center. There is an elected president; there is a political party in power and there is elected party officials running the political party. Further there is spelled out manner of affecting leadership change when called for. Icheoku asks, what impetus drove these political fanatics to make a go at the party's leadership without due process and without the president's input as leader of the party, other than to summarize their action as a civilian coup or its attempt? If their illegal action is allowed to stand, what stops another group of political conspirators from hatching yet another putsch in the future? It is common amongst military coup plotters who make a go at each other with any given opportunity. 

These coup plotting politicians must not and should not be allowed to succeed in hijacking or stealing by default the party or its machinery. They should not be allowed to get away with their illegality and should be dealt with accordingly and in order to set example and deterrence against any such rascal behavior in the future. They have other legitimate means available to them but they choose otherwise and decided to take the law into their hands. If they want a change in leadership, they should follow laid down procedure - call for election, contest and if elected, serve. But any other attempt at circumventing the process or try to enter the house through the window or back door should be resisted and by all and sundry irrespective of political partisanships. Only a thief breaches a home and these marauders have breached the PDP house and should be treated with bare knuckles. This is where the rubber meets the road and where the proverbial line in the sand is and should be drawn and any leg found crossing it smashed to pieces. Icheoku stands convincingly resolute that the need to crush these rebels mercilessly exists and only such drastic response to their provocation is called for and no negotiations whatsoever is warranted. 

Icheoku says except Nigerians do not like the peace and free-reign extended to them by President Jonathan, it might be about time it ended so that fear will once again envelope the land? Unlike Buhari how many Bartholomeo Owos and co have been murdered based on a retroactive decree under Jonathan? Unlike Babangida, how many Dele Giwas have been bombed to pieces under Jonathan? Unlike Abacha, how many Saro Wiwas, Pa Rewanes, Kudirat Abiola etc have been hanged or murdered in cold blood under Jonathan? Unlike Abdusalam Abubakar, how many MKO Abiolas have been poisoned by tea under Jonathan? Unlike Obasanjo, how many Harry Marshalls, Bola Iges etc have been murdered under Jonathan? Unlike Obasanjo, how many Abubakar Atikus, Nuhu Ribadus have scampered into exile for safety since Jonathan was elected president? Unlike Obasanjo, how many governors have been removed as a result of unfavorable reports from security agencies or emergency declarations? Unlike Obasanjo, how many governors have been kidnapped under Jonathan? Unlike Obasanjo, how many governors or their relatives or aides have been harangued by the EFCC? Unlike Obasanjo, how many newspapers or other media outlets have been shuttered under Jonathan, despite printing and publishing unprintables about the person of the president and his wife? Unlike Obasanjo, how many banana peels have been thrown and that claimed victims in the National Congress under Jonathan; as Nigerians are aware of the shifting chair that was both the Speakership and Senate Presidency during Baba Iyabo's reign? Unlike Obasanjo, how many Slok Airlines, Hallmark Banks, Savannah Banks, Ibeto cement and other businesses belonging to perceived political foes have been closed under Jonathan? So why should this President Goodluck Jonathan, who have extended to Nigerians some olive branch and allowed them to roam freely, be receiving these disrespectful treatment in the hands of Nigerians, especially those disgruntled politicians formerly of his party?

Icheoku says the simple fact of the matter is that Nigerians do not cherish freedom but love those leaders who treat them as donkeys - poorly and without any regards. They prefer the cudgel and the stick like mental people who must be whipped to conform to basic instructions? They would rather their bodies and skins replaced their ears since they respond to inflicted pain more than soundbites? As a friend would put it, Nigerians are like women, you do not give them any breather because if you allow them they will start looking for allowance and before you know it they will be spitting and slapping your face as a weakling. This is the fate being suffered today by President Jonathan for being too educated and too civil to play it rough and dirty with Nigerians. President Jonathan does not belong nor was he raised in a brutish barrack environment like Obasanjo and not having this sinister experience and mentality of do or die, he is today paying dearly for because of the crass society that he is presiding over. 

Nigerians prefer being put on a leash; always told what to do; told when to wake up and go to sleep; and sometimes even when to open their mouth? Do this and Nigerians will tremblingly bid your wish and respect you out of fear. This is what is deficient with President Jonathan and Nigerians are vagrantly milking his cow without reservation. Now President Goodluck Jonathan, you know what to do - change your color, shed your sheep's skin and adorn the leopard's and watch as Nigerians fall on your feet in trepidation. Turn your dogs of war loose and let them feast on all those political charlatans and urchins who are sabotaging your presidency; especially those who have conspired and purportedly have thrown spanner in the works for your 2015 reelection effort by trying to steal your party under your nose. By virtue of your office, the Peoples Democratic Party belongs to you and you reserve the right to force anyone out of it including Olusegun Obasanjo. However, you might just start flexing your muscle by expelling Abubakar Atiku and his cohort and fellow conspirators seven governors therefrom. The security agencies are waiting to be used; Obasanjo used them, so copy a page from his book of do or die politics and regain your lost grounds. Those dissidents have already registered their PDM, so they should feel free to move over to their newly registered political party BUT they must not and SHOULD not be allowed to burn down the PDP house before raising their new flag under their registered PDM. Enough!