Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Board of Trustees have met with the Party’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa with the aim of resolving the conflict rocking the party and reconciling aggrieved members.
Receiving the delegation, the PDP, Vice-Presidential candidate, said a lot has been done in resolving their differences as the governors have been discussing among themselves and with several party leaders from across the country.
“I believe that they are still a little work to be done but a lot has been done. We are lightly reconciled. There are still issues to be dealt with. That’s why you see some of the leaders of the party the Board of Trustees here today. We have had very useful discussions on what they could do and what we ought to continue to do as a party. But, because the PDP is a very large party, we understand that yet, there is some level of disagreement, but we will continue to stay in touch with ourselves to resolve the issues,” Governor Okowa said.
He stated that during their southeast and southwest leaders’ meetings in Enugu and Oyo states, very positive steps were taken and useful interactions were held with all party leaders and stakeholders.
He said the meeting was a great plus for the PDP, though a few issues were still left on the table.
The Vice Presidemtial candidate said, “Governors and other members who are aggrieved are members of the party. I believe that my brothers would all work for the party, PDP is home and they belong to that home. They’re not going to destroy their home. So, we will allow it together. I do believe that we’ll continue to talk with ourselves and resolve the little issues that are left.
“Where we are at the moment is quite a difficult situation for this country. The country has never been as divided as this. The level of insecurity has not been this bad”.
Governor Okowa said as the nation transits through the general election in 2023, issues of the economy, education, and state of affairs in the various states should be the focus of conversation.
“We don’t want those who are going to come to the office to learn on the job, because we are in a critical position. So we need a man who has the experience who also has the level of humility and calmness, who is detribalized and ready to keep Nigeria together.
“I believe that Atiku Abubakar is the answer to Nigeria. He has committed himself very clearly in his document to Nigeria “My Covenant with Nigerians” others are still thinking of what they are going to do. They have not been able to commit themselves so that we can truly see the truth if they have a pathway to solving the problems of Nigeria. Atiku is the man that is prepared for the job. He’s not going to learn on the job and his one man that is acceptable across the six geo-political zones of this nation. There is no other person that has the kind of credentials that he has. Atiku is the right person, Nigerians should think deeply and let us be guided that we need to work collectively to take Nigeria out of the decay that we have found ourselves”.
Acting chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, who led the special reconciliation committee of the party at the meeting said the visit was to discuss the ongoing crisis with Okowa, and to prefer solutions to those issues.
He noted that they have met with other PDP governors namely; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Governor Ahmadu Fintri of Adamawa state, Governor Ikpeazu of Abia state and Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
“The committee is enlightened now on the issues and we’re moving forward. Like I said the last time, we have been going around and we met most of the governors. In the coming days, we will also meet with the principal, the Presidential candidate, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and from there we will proceed to meet with Governor Wike,” he said.
Wabara said the PDP has what it takes to resolve the contentious issues, “and very soon we will resolve all these issues”.
Being Nigeria’s main opposition party, the PDP has found itself in unpleasant internal strife since its presidential primaries ended and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was nominated as Vice Presidential candidate.
The crisis led to the resignation of the Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Jabrin Walid as some members are calling for the ouster of the National Chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu.
They have threatened not to get involved with the presidential campaign if their demands are not met.
Confidence Okwuchi
