I Cannot Be Going To Court Every Day; Senator Friday Gives Reasons Why Leaving PDP
Senator Konbowei Benson Friday, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, has expressed worries about the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in his office at the National Assembly, he lamented that the Nigerian security situation has been very bad over the years. It is no longer news in Nigeria and the world that we have security issues, particularly Boko Haram and the offshoot of bandits in recent years.
We have been living and managing ourselves over time, and it has never changed for good. He lamented that previous governments have made promises that have never given Nigerians what they expected. As it were, every now and then, people are crying, being killed, and buried here and there. With the recent improvement in technology, whenever anything happens, it is on social media the next minute for everybody to see or verify. Most times, you see senior citizens crying out for an improved security system and situation in the country. I remember the last time we had a serious concern from a senior citizen. Let us tell ourselves the truth; we really need help from outsiders. The coming of the US President and military action is not a bad idea. Bringing in an external voice is long overdue. That is what Nigeria should have done since. Not waiting until somebody or a president from another country raises the question. It’s an issue that should have been attended to frontally and diplomatically, ensuring collaboration with senior brothers and friends. Governance is all about collaboration, both internally and externally. That is why we have other countries and embassies to give the right reports and create friendships and avenues to address issues, both economically and as they may affect the country. That is the way it is, and that is my feeling.
Trump’s call is a call that we Nigerians should have looked into, whether we are making progress over the years on the insurgency that has been with us. If we are not making progress, as reported by almost all investigating systems, then we need to look inwards and outwards to ensure proper collaboration.
Senator Friday, however, thanked God for his new party and new moment in his political drive. I have been in the PDP since 1998. I was a foundation member in my state. Coming out to defect was not an easy decision to make. Over the years, there have been reasons for me to defect, like others have done. Some have even defected twice and thrice. You can remember in Nigeria; some have defected from one party to another. Some have even defected up to three to four other parties. I don’t take it as an issue. Nobody loves the PDP more than I do. That is how I have been with the party. I have enjoyed the proceeds, been elected from the party as a House of Assembly member, stayed for 12 years, and rose to become a speaker. I was also Secretary to the State Government and now a senator from that party. It is painful that my party could not resolve the issues at the center. The Senator strongly condemned the ongoing unsolved issues in the PDP. As you see me, I really want my people to develop. I don’t want a situation where I will be running from pillar to post, from one law court to another. This morning, they will give one judgment; next morning, they will give another. In the midnight, as you wake up, there is another judgment. Just as I entered the chamber this morning, I have seen another judgment that the PDP cannot hold their convention; they should not recognize Damagom as their chairman, national chairman, and all that. It is becoming too worrisome and ugly. I have found love; I have been embraced very strongly and seriously. And so, I just have to do what I think, he said.
