National
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has
held out an olive branch to the seven aggrieved governors and members
of the Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje led new PDP, just as he pleaded that
they put all burning issues behind them.
In a statement signed yesterday by PDP
National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP urged all
aggrieved members who broke away to form a new PDP during the last
Special Convention to as matter of urgency drop personal interest and
join Tukur to achieve the set goals of having a virile and strong PDP.
Metuh said, “Following the
upholding of the leadership of the PDP under the National Chairmanship
of Alhaji (Dr.) Bamanga Tukur by INEC, the party has extended an olive
branch to the Abubakar Baraje-led breakaway group urging them to return
to the fold.”
The PDP spokesperson who noted the
position of INEC has laid to rest all contentions regarding the
leadership of the party, said, “The position of INEC in affirming
the leadership of the PDP under the National Chairmanship of Alhaji
Bamanga Tukur, and rejecting the demand for recognition by our aggrieved
brothers has indeed laid to rest all contentions regarding the
authentic leadership of our great party.
“However, we wish to state
categorically that this is not a time for us to gloat or preen ourselves
over victory. We must use this window of opportunity to engender true
reconciliations, put all the issues behind us and move ahead as one big
united family that we are.
“In this light, we call on all our
aggrieved brothers to relegate all personal interests and return to the
fold so that we can ward off all external aggressions and forge a common
formidable political front. We wish to assure that the PDP as the only
true national party is large enough to accommodate all interests and
persons as we remain loyal to the provisions of our constitution as a
party.
“We must at this time close ranks
and rally around President Goodluck Jonathan and our leaders at all
levels so that collectively, we will ensure that our great party
delivered on its mandate and promises as enshrined in the PDP manifesto,
the ideals of our founding fathers and the Transformation Agenda of the
PDP-led government for the overall good of our people.
“The challenges of the last few
months, rather than detract, have proven that the PDP remains the
pre-eminent party that will continue to win elections at all levels in
the country.”
The statement urged all party leaders,
elders and indeed all members of the PDP across the board to continue to
support President Goodluck Jonathan and his Transformation Agenda.
It will be recalled that the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC through its Acting
Secretary, U.F Usman in a letter to the Baraje led PDP rejected the
group, insisting that Bamanga Tukur’s National Working Committee, NWC
was the authentic one.
Also in the Baraje group are former
Vice President Atiku Abubakar, aggrieved Governors Sule Lamido of
Jigawa, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Aliyu Babangida of Niger, Aliyu
Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers;
Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano; and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa
The INEC’s letter to Baraje’s faction with the title “ Notification
of Change in the change of leadership of PDP and request for formal
recognition”, read , “The Commission acknowledges the receipt of your
letter dated September 1 and 23 2013 respectively wherein you requested
the commission’s recognition of the Abubakar Baraje faction of the newly
elected National Working Committee.
“You will recall the commission
monitored the national convention and the special national convention of
the PDP held on March 12, 2012 and August 31, 2013 respectively which
took place at the Eagle SquareAbuja, after notices to the commission. A
National Working Committee was elected at the two conventions wherein
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur emerged as the national chairman.
“The commission will not withdraw
recognition from the leadership of the PDP elected at the election duly
monitored by the commission.
“Please be guided, INEC said in the
letter addressed to Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Oyi River Crescent ,
Off IBB Boulevard, Maitama Abuja.”
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment