The Acting National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Alhaji Kawu Baraje recently inaugurated a 23-member committee to review the party’s constitution. On the panel is Barrister Ibrahim Ahmed Babale, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bauchi state. Babale in this interview previews the assignment ahead of the committee. Excerpts:

Do you think the PDP constitution is in need of a review at this particular time?

The party perhaps decided to review its constitution at this material time from my own personal point of view to restore confidence within its members and other Nigerians and to also instill discipline within its fold. The other point is for the party to block all identified loopholes that usually create indiscipline and disloyalty which in most cases have negative effects on the party at elections and its policies.

How do you then intend to restore the confidence, discipline, loyalty and block the identified loopholes?

We intend to carry out the assignment within the confines of the guideline issued by the party as well as use our wealth of experience to reposition the party for the better.

Can you mention any of the acts of indiscipline identified by the party that should be addressed by your committee?

One of those acts of indiscipline identified is that of contestants dumping the party after losing at its primary election and later returning to the party to exploit the sweat of those who remained to nurse the party. That is an act of indiscipline that shall not be tolerated in future. Any party member that dumps the party shall not be readmitted until certain conditions are met. In most cases, the decampees oppose the party at elections but later make a u-turn to apologize.

PDP is not after the victory of any of its erstwhile members on the platform of opposition parties. So, who so ever dumps the PDP to another party should remain there for good or bad but not to return to the PDP for any reason.

Is that not a denial of right?

Not at all. The PDP welcomes opposition to strengthen the democracy and since the member decided to fight his own party using the platform of another party, he should better remain in his new found party than making a u-turn after fighting the party at the election.

The party is not after a one party show and who so ever is dissatisfied with its mode of operation shall not be encouraged to decamp but if he decides to decamp despite persuasion, he should not think of a welcome back. You see, we should collectively as subscribers to democracy strive to instill discipline into our various parties and discourage political prostitution.

We should always encourage loyalty, tolerance and patience rather than ridiculing the parties we used to come to political prominence. On the other side, the party shall create a level playing field for all and it shall not tolerate any future act of imposition of candidates by any one. If such loopholes are blocked, no member shall even think of decamping.

Let me give you a typical example of what is obtainable today in most parties. Members who contest and win elections always remain loyal to the party but the moment they try to re-contest the same position or any other position and loose, they start to nurse a grudge against the party and turn their back against it and fight it. As they decamp for what they usually call injustice, they do every thing possible to ridicule the party and call it names just to score a point against the party. That is a clear case of mischief that should not be allowed to continue.

What of the position of women in the party?

Women shall be fully encouraged to participate actively in party affairs. Mr. President as the leader of the party has promised to give 30 percent of political appointments in his administration to women, which has already come to fruition. These are some of the incentives the party has for women apart from encouraging them to contest elections.

What of discipline at the other levels of the party?

The party shall henceforth not tolerate unnecessary litigations by party members against other members for whatever reason. All cases shall be settled amicably by the party rather than washing its dirty linings in the public. At the other levels, party leaders shall not be allowed to impose candidates on the party, while ordinary members shall be encouraged to remain disciplined and loyal to the leadership, to achieve optimum political results.

Do you intend to tour the country to obtain views of your party members or how do you intend to be reached if party members want to give their contributions?

Oh! That is very simple. The committee is ready to receive memorandum or whatever from members. All communication should be addressed to the chairman of the committee and submitted to the office of the national legal adviser of the party in Wadata Plaza, Abuja or through the zonal offices in the six geo-political zones or state party secretariats.