Lack Of Internal Democracy Cost PDP 2015 Elections, Says Nyame

Former governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly T. Nyame, spoke on the continued refusal of government that came after him to pay his entitlements.

HE confirmed not being paid his entitlements, adding he would not be mistaking to say that it must be as a result of political difference between him and his successors in office.

Nyame stated: “One may wonder why it is so, because they are all of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and I am also PDP too.

“Difference in politics must not have to be difference in political parties, but may be difference in issues and ideologies arising.

“I have no doubt that I am the only former governor that has not been paid his entitlements.”

He debunked the rumour that he has pitched tent with the All Progressive Congress (APC), even as he felt sad at the way and manner people derive pleasure in spread false information.

“I never dumped my party. There was a serious misunderstanding about what happened during the last general elections. I worked very hard for PDP.

“Our problems started when former President Goodluck Jonathan visited Taraba. He personally invited me to talk to me and asked me to see him in Abuja

“When I saw him in Abuja, and I as a result of my interactions, people said why should I be favoured or be given an assignment by the President.

“Unfortunately, the government of the day went and told him that if he was going to work with me, they will work for APC. They gave him an ultimatum, so he decided not to have anything to do with me.

“But I went ahead and did what I thought was right. When it came to governorship election, that was where people had a lot of misunderstanding about me and I think it was good if I use this opportunity to clear the air.

“It was very clear that the government of the day felt I was not important or relevant and I cannot improve on the fortunes of the PDP.

“But Tarabans and Nigerians knew that of all the states in the Northeast, Taraba declared for Jonathan during the presidential election. And when they said I was not important, I folded my hands.

“Of course, all the governorship flag bearers of all the political parties spoke with me and they all wanted my assistance if I could assist. But it was a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea.

“Would I want to like kill the party that we all laboured for? They said I was not relevant and could not even give me a litre of petrol to put in my car to move around. They could not even give me a dime to give people outside.

“So, I stayed at home. Of course, I don’t have money. They refused to pay me my entitlements or give me any facility to move out. And when I stayed at home what happened? You could see the difference between the presidential election and the governorship election.

“That is what PDP is suffering now. Now, the people that think they know politics more in the state will now know who the power shakers in the state.”

Nyame stated that his last-minute decision to step down from contesting the last senatorial election was to ensure stability in PDP, following the crisis that almost obliterated the party from the state.

He explained: “It is actually good for Tarabans to know. My admirers and those we were working with me knew very well that I was gunning for the Taraba North seat under PDP and as far as preparation was concerned, it was as good as a done deal.

“Politicians in the state also knew that the situation, as regard the governorship was a problem and wanted a situation whereby the then acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, should be compensated or placated.

“So, the only way was to asked him to step down his ambition of contesting for governor and to give him something, which has to be senate.

“Umar, being an elderly person, a very wise person I know very well, cannot contest with me. That was the reason why the national secretariat of PDP and the Presidency asked me to stepped down, so that they could reduced the hostility among those contesting the governorship.

“It was even a reason for me to contribute my quota, to relinquished my ambition to allow a single candidate to emerge, which was Governor Darius Ishaku.

“That was what a lot of people did not understand. I could have contested under another political party. I could have overheated the system if I had wanted. But I did not because both the national chairman of the party and the President asked me to stop. So why should I go against them?

“I agreed because I wanted the party to win. I stepped down for Umar and I was told he emerged at the nomination they did at Abuja, but what happened after, I think is now history.

“It is only Umar that can explained what happened, but I did not regret stepping down.”

Pointing at lack of internal democracy as one major reason for PDP’s poor outing in the last general elections, the former governor stressed the need for the would-be leaders of the party to allow internal democracy reign.

“As much as I know, any political party that is not interested in promoting internal democracy will never succeed.

“It was a problem in PDP. What happened was that some people sat somewhere and said this is the best candidate, he should contest,” he bemoaned.

He said only the enthronement of internal democracy would see PDP not only regain its lost glory and reclaim it number one position in 2019.

Nyame, who in spite of his predicaments, continue to look trudge on.

He explained how: “Let me say it is God. I try, as much as possible, not to carry a lot of burdens that I cannot handle. I don’t poke nose in anybody’s affairs.

“Since I left government, I tried to be contented with what I have and not to do anything that will depress me.

“I am contented with the little and friends that I have and with the people that assist me as I go on this journey so far.”