Democratic Party (PDP) reared its head, again, at the Senate, on Wednesday, as the splinter faction led by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje clashed with the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP.
It took the timely intervention of the Senate President, David Mark, to prevent the fisticuffs witnessed in the House of Representatives last week over the crisis rocking the party.
Senator Danjuma Goje had stirred the hornet’s nest when he, while eulogising the late former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, introduced himself as a member of the new and authentic PDP.
But Senator Smart Adeyemi, coming under Order 53 of the Senate Standing Rule, challenged Goje, noting that it was offensive for him, having served as governor and now a lawmaker on the PDP platform, to support a faction in the party.
Adeyemi, therefore, urged Goje not only to withdraw his statement, but to also tender an unreserved apology to PDP members for using offensive language against the party.
“It was wrong for Senator Goje, a PDP member and who has not defected to insinuate that PDP has two factions.
“As far as I know, there is no faction in PDP and to lay claim to two PDP is unconstitutional. I demand that Goje withdraws that statement and apologise to this chamber for using offensive language against the party,” Adeyemi had said.
Senator Goje, however, stood his ground, saying “as long as I am concerned, I belong to the New PDP chaired by Abubakar Baraje. I was a member of PDP long before Adeyemi. In fact, I am more PDP than him.”
Tension, as a result of the development, mounted with PDP lawmakers divided over which of the two factions in the party was the authentic one.
Sensing rising tempers and an imminent danger on the floor of the Senate, following the arguments, Mark quickly mediated, assuring his colleagues that so far as the party remained one strong and indivisible entity, the Senate was not in the position to decide who headed it.
Satisfied that the two warring camps still laid claims to the party membership, Mark, however, called for calm on the floor to enable the chamber concentrate on its duties, saying “I am satisfied that Goje said he is still in PDP. The issue of chairmanship is not for us to decide.”
Peace was restored after the intervention and the Senate later observed a minute silence in honour of Agagu, whose death occurred on September 13 at the age of 65.
The upper legislative body also resolved to send a delegation to commiserate with the family of the deceased, government and the people of Ondo State over the death.
This followed a motion raised by Senators Boluwaji Kunlere, Ayo Akinyelure and Robert A. Boroffice on the demise of the former governor and minister.
In the lead debate, the lawmakers described the late Agagu as “an intellectual of no mean repute, a consummate politician, a wonderful networker and a nationalist.
“He was a community leader, socialite and a devout Christian, who was married to only one wife.”
Senator Mark, in his contribution, said irrespective of political affiliation, ability to perform while in public office counted most, adding that the government and people of Ondo State were grieved because Agagu served the state to the best of his ability while in office.
“The fact that Agagu is being remembered by sons and daughters of Ondo State and colleagues was because he served to the best of his ability.
“He was a complete gentleman in every sense of it. Even when he lost election, he took it in good faith and was ready to work for the good of the state, because his concern was the people and not political party.
“His death was a loss to Nigerians generally and Ondo State in particular. People would be remembered for the way they carry themselves while in office. His family should take solace in the fact that he led a good life,” Mark said.
