From Linus Oota, Lafia
The unending leadership crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be taking its toll on the unity of its members in Nasarawa State.
Major stakeholders of the party, last week, shunned a meeting summoned by its chairman, Francisd Orogo, in Lafia, to drum support for the Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party.
Addressing newsmen after the stakeholders meeting at the party secretariat, Orogo said the party resolved to remain with Makarfi faction despite the Appeal Court ruling which recognised Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as national chairmn. He said they have vowed not to have any anything doing with the Sheriff faction.
He said the party was repositioning itself to regain power in 2019 and claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has failed Nigerians,.
Orogo also disclosed that the party will zone its governorship position in the state and further explained that only aspirants who fall within the zoning arrangement will be allowed to obtain the party nomination form.
The chairman enjoined members of the party not to be distracted by the leadership challenge at the National level but to remain focused on mobilizing the people at the grassroots.
The crisis rocking the party had unsettled the state chapter, dividing it’s leaders who either support the Makarfi or Sheriff faction.
Those who were conspicuously absent at the meeting include Senator representing Nasarawa South Sulieman Adokwe, Hon Ogoshi Onawo representing Awe, Doma and Keana Federal Constituency as well as former Information Minister, Senator Patricia Akwashiki.
Others who did not attend the meeting were Senator Solomon Ewuga, Hon Jonathan Gbofi representing Keffi, Karu, Kokona Federal Constituency, Hon Kigbu, 2015 governship candidate of the party, Dr Yusuf Agabi, former governor of the state, Aliyu Akwe Doma among others.
The meeting which drew stakeholders from wards, local government and state was attended by the Senator representing Nasarawa North Philip Gyunka, former deputy governor of the state Damishi Barau and other members of the National and state Assemblies among others.