…to meet with govs, BOT, NWC members
Twenty-one elders and foundation members, on Thursday, waded into the crisis currently rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
As part of the current efforts to urgently resolve the crisis, the party chieftains have, therefore, planned to hold urgent reconciliation meetings with PDP state governors, Board of Trustees and National Working Committee members.
A crisis of confidence had early this week hit the PDP with some members of its National Executive Committee threatening to resign their various positions.
The elders and foundation members led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, under the aegis of Concerned Elders Forum Peoples Democratic Party, in a statement obtained by our correspondent, said they had begun moves to urgently resolve the various contending issues threatening to tear the party apart.
The statement jointly signed by the 21 party chieftains, including some former state governors, ex-Senate Presidents, ex-deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and serving members of the National Assembly, therefore, urged “all Party Organs, Party Officers and Party Members to remain calm, faithful and orderly, as we proceed with urgent consultations and initiatives to resolve the contending issues.”
The PDP chieftains also assured aggrieved party members and stakeholders that “we intend to be thorough, objective, creative and balanced in our efforts to find lasting solutions to the fundamental matters arising.”
The full text of the PDP Concerned Elders Forum’s statement read thus:
Concerned Elders Forum
Peoples Democratic Party
Press Statement
- In view of recent developments at the National Secretariat of our great Party, we have resolved to issue this press statement urging all Party Organs, Party Officers and Party Members to remain calm, faithful and orderly, as we proceed with urgent consultations and initiatives to resolve the contending issues. We wish to firmly reassure aggrieved stakeholders that we intend to be thorough, objective, creative and balanced in our efforts to find lasting solutions to the fundamental matters arising.
- Towards this end, we have initiated moves to urgently meet with our Governors, the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee and other critical stakeholders. Since we all share the legitimate desires of our loyal members to offer a credible, effective and productive alternative, we have no doubt that we shall soon find positive, appropriate, pragmatic and lasting solutions to the problems facing the Party. We shall emerge from this crisis stronger, better and more united. This is only a temporary challenge.
- We assure all Nigerians that the Peoples Democratic Party is resolute in providing qualitative leadership, sound programs, effective implementation strategies and hope generating solutions to our national problems.
- On behalf of the elders and founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party, we wish to use this medium to thank all Party Members and supporters across Nigeria and in diaspora for their commitment, loyalty and strong support.
Signed:
Senator (Dr) David B. Mark, Prof. Jerry Gana, Dr. Iyochia Ayu,
Alh. Sule Lamido, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Senator E. Abaribe,
Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator A. Wabara,
Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Dr. Ibrahim H Dankwambo, Senator Helen Esuene,
Hajiya Zainab Maina, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rt. Hon. Austin Okpara,
Sentor Biodun Olujimi, Senator Zainab Kure, Senator Agboola Hosea,
Senator Odion Ugbesia, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, Hajiya Hadiza Adodo.