… Opts for political solution
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met with former President Goodluck Jonathan, in Abuja, yesterday, over the crisis rocking the party.
After the meeting, which lasted for close to five hours, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele fayose told newsmen that they want “political solution to the party’s crisis.”
The Ekiti governor said the meeting was at the instance of the former president, “who is genuinely interested in finding a solution to the party crisis” and urged party members to refrain from making inflammatory statements that could compound PDP’s problems.
Fayose said: “It is my pleasure to tell you that (Jonathan) is genuinely concerned with what is going on in the party. And, he thought that an interactive session with the governors will go a long way to douse tension.
“One, we want to assure all our supporters that we believe in this party. We believe in the success of this party. We want to appeal to everybody to be wary of making statements that could further worsen the situation. Rather, we should make complementary statements that can enhance the party the more.
“Again, we know that there are so many matters before the court. But, we believe that a political solution will go a long way to solve this matter. And I believe in this party; we will all be willing and ready to pursue a political solution, in which, at the end of the day, every interest will be well represented. That was the position of this meeting.”
The meeting was attended by Governors Ifeanyi Okowa, Emmanuel Udom, Ishaku Darius,David Umahi and Ibrahim Dakwambo of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Ebonyi and Gombe states, respectively.
Others were Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River. Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, was represented by his deputy.
Meanwhile, PDP National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has formally resumed duties at the party’s national secretariat, at Wadata Plaza, in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, with assurances that the party will not die in his hands.
Sheriff took over the secretariat, last Thursday, after the Port Harcourt Division of the Appeal Court declared him the “ authentic” leader of the party. His formal resumption at the Wadata Plaza is coming 24 hours after pro and anti-Sheriff protests rocked the secretariat.
Addressing a delegation of party members from Imo State, who paid him a solidarity visit yesterday, the PDP chairman reiterated his call to all aggrieved members of the party to join hands with him in rebuilding the party.
Sheriff said the visit of the Imo delegation, which was led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, has punctured claims by his opponents that he does enjoy the support of PDP members at the grassroots.
The PDP leader said even though, he has said repeatedly that he does not want to join issues with anyone regarding the leadership dispute in the party, what he reads in the newspaper gives him doubt whether those at the side are worthy of the respect, he is according them.
“Every day, I say I don’t want to join issues, but every day when I open the pages, I read stories that gives me doubt about this people, the respect I give them, whether they are truly deserving of it. This party belongs to our of us. After the judgment the first statement I made is let us come together and rebuild this party. We are not going to give this party to people who are not members of this party. People should go back to their states and get the party together. Time will tell who is right and who is wrong. And Nigerians are watching. I still appeal to everybody, let’s come together. Let us work together. By the Grace of God, this ship will not capsize . The cargo will not sink,” Sheriff declared.
While expressing appreciation to the Imo PDP members for the solidarity visit, the PDP National Chairman promised to support women in the party to get 30 representation in elective offices.
Speaking earlier, former Minister of Information, Professor Walter Ofanagoro,who was part of the delegation, the people of the state abhors illegality and impunity, hence the decision to identify with Sheriff. He called for an end to the leadership tussle in the party, stating the PDP crisis is hurting Nigerians.
“ We have the highest regard for the rule of law. That is why we are here. We are here because we cannot allow a situation a vacuum is allowed in our party”, Ofonagoro said.
However, the former minister called on Sheriff to strive for reconciliation between all feuding members of party, so that the party can move forward.
Meanwhile, the heavy security presence at the Wadata Plaza has reduced, compared to the situation at the PDP secretariat on Monday. As at yesterday, four police hilux vans were stationed at the secretariat.