PDP CRISIS: Makarfi spreading mere propaganda, Dickson says

The governor of Bayelsa State and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) National Reconciliation Committee, Hon. Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday described the comments on the submission of his report to the National Executive of the party as mere propaganda.

According to him, rather than embark on name-calling, propaganda and outright lies, it was high time the party came together in the interest of peace.

The governor stressed that despite the sacrifices made by him and members of the committee, it was unfortunate that some persons within PDP, were making “uncharitable comments” on the report which was meant to salvage the party.

It would be recalled that Dickson’s committee had sanctioned a proposal by the faction of the party led national chairman of the party, Sen Ali Modu Sheriff to hold a national convention, but the faction led by Sen Ahmed Makarfi had described Dickson’s submittion as ‘evil and selfish’.

Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, called on everyone who having any idea as to how to take the party out of the current crisis to proffer their own solutions, instead of seeking to pull down the little gains that have been made by the committee.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to series of half truths and litany of lies being peddled by some leaders, stakeholders and members of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the recent submission of the report of the reconciliation committee which I chaired.

“In my usual character, I am not disposed to joining issues with anyone or group especially on a matter that I think can be settled internally. More so, when some of the‎ key actors are not sincerely committed to bringing an end to the festering crisis that has set us back as a party.”

Dickson explained that he had never supported Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who was declared chairman by the Appeal Court, insisting that since the Appeal Court had recognised him as leader of the party, the laws had to be obeyed and dialogue to resolve issues.

Read also: Sheriff, Makarfi bicker over N50m subvention

Dickson said, “First, let me state in clear terms that the ongoing blame game, name-calling and propaganda will not in any way help us. Rather we are by such actions de-marketing ourselves and playing into the hands of the All Progressive Congress (APC) which appears to be the major beneficiary of the crisis rocking our party.

“What we should be doing now is to look for an amicable solution to come out of where we are, rally round ourselves and form a bond like never before since INEC had released the timetable for the 2019 general elections.

“Secondly, everyone especially in the PDP governors’ forum can testify that I never supported Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as national chairman. I strongly canvassed against his choice because he was new to our party.

“I felt that we needed a fresh face for a new beginning. But as a democrat I believe ‎in the plurality of opinions which made me to tag along. Now with the Appeal Court judgment affirming him as the national chairman, it is only legal and strategic for all leaders of the party to engage him on a template such as what we have proposed”.

The governor who re-empathized that there was still a lot of work to be done, stressed that only the truth could save the party from further crisis.

“Let the blame give way. Let egos and all form of utterances cease. Let all ambitions be put on hold. Let all leaders now begin to brainstorm and find the best ways of resolving the dispute to save the party from further depletion and disintegration”.

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

 

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