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Ogbeh’s pertinent call
National
Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh
surprised not a few Monday, when he called for an end to the emergency rule
imposed in Plateau State by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He
similarly stunned his audience when he declared support for a return of
suspended Governor Joshua Dariye who was removed following the imposition of
the emergency rule to pave the way for General Chris Alli as sole administrator
of Plateau. And he was very frontal in his demands.
Of
all who have made similarly calls, none could be said to have been more direct.
Besides, none of them could be said to be as close to President Olusegun
Obasanjo who imposed the emergency rule after reaching the conclusion that
Dariye was rascally. So, it is understandable how important Ogbeh’s call
has been interpreted.
For
one, the statement was made before an audience earlier fingered as being in conspiracy
with Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, said to have sworn that Dariye
would not return as governor. A member of the state assembly, which was equally
suspended, had raised the alarm that Mantu had concluded plans to install Air
Commodore Jonah Jang who contested against Dariye on the platform of the
Alliance for Democracy (AD) in last year’s polls as successor.
Interestingly,
Jang and former sports minister, Damishi Sango, equally identified as being
part of the plot were among Ogbeh’s audience. In fact, the forum was to
welcome them back to the PDP. So, in a sense, the volley may have been targeted
at the returnees to wait for their turn.
However,
that forum may have convinced the PDP national chairman, and the party’s
Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, also an Obasanjo’s
acolyte, that Dariye commands favourable following in Plateau State. That even
if Dariye’s victory at the polls was contrived, he still enjoys some form
of legitimacy, giving the massive call for his return as governor.
But, the true test of Ogbeh’s call would be the
quick recall of the suspended governor and the restoration of democratic
structures in the state. Anything to the contrary would only put a lie to the
seeming transparent call by the party chairman.
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