Finally, Jonathan intervenes in PDP crisis

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has finally intervened in the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), promising to do more to ensure a lasting solution.

He disclosed this in Abuja when the zonal representatives of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) led by its chairman, Senator Walid Jubril, paid him a courtesy visit.

He said, “I have been talking to individuals but not in a way that is exposed to the media but I believe I should do more. Unfortunately we have been challenged, but I don’t think you should be discouraged. Challenges are part of life; even in families there are challenges.

“There are challenges even in the church more than what may be happening at political level. So you should not be discouraged, and I believe, collectively, we can solve it.

“Any sincere PDP member should know that PDP is superior to any individual, and that members have sacrificed their interests for the party. Even the nation expects a more vibrant opposition.

Jonathan who commended members of the board for their commitment to the party and condoled with them on the recent death of their secretary, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, also called on warring factions to sheath their swords.

Jubril had told Jonathan that his intervention was needed to resolve the on-going crisis in the party despite his seeming lack of interest in the party’s activities.

Jubril said, “We abide by provisions of the party, article 10 of the constitution, which provides for internal resolution of crisis. This provision is abandoned with various court cases.

Read also: Holding PDP convention now senseless- Kashamu

“There is court judgment in Port Harcourt, and there are court judgments and orders in Abuja.

“We have realised that we need reconciliation. Some many committees have been set up for reconciliation. ‎The BoT
decided to form a special committee to pursue reconciliation. Some members of the party is concerned.

“That is why we appeal to former president that he be party to the reconciliation; it is your intervention that is very important for a way forward for the party.

“We have great respect for you despite the fact that you have not been appearing in our activities.

“We have embarked on programme of visitations to our founding fathers; we have visited the National Assembly. We are satisfied with level of cooperation between PDP and other members in the National Assembly.

He said irrespective of the challenges the party has faced, “PDP is alive, anybody who wants to destroy PDP will not succeed.”

The leadership tussle involving Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi factions has continued to threaten the existence of the party.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now