The crisis tearing apart the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may be nearing an end with the intervention of 23 State Chairmen of the party, endorsing the recommendation of Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson’s reconciliation committee for a political solution above litigation.
They also supported the committee’s reports and recommendation for an all-inclusive unity convention to be held as soon as possible.
The 23 PDP State chairmen in a joint communique read to journalists in Abuja by the FCT chairman, Yunusa Suleiman, after their emergency meeting held on Friday night, said Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, remained the chairman of the party, going by the pronouncement of the Appeal Court.
They suggested that every organ of the party, group or individuals that has anything to add to the recommendations should present same to the national chairman for consideration and deliberations, saying it would deepen internal democracy and support an all-inclusive regeneration of the party.
The communique was signed by PDP chairmen from Jigawa, Adamawa, Niger, Gombe, Taraba, Zamfara, Yobe, Kebbi, Kwara, Bayelsa, FCT, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Imo, Borno, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Kogi, Benue and Cross River states.
The communique reads: “The PDP Chapter Chairmen are very concerned about the crises engulfing the party as it is degenerating into the several decamping from the party across the Nation. Baring in mind the upcoming Presidential Election timeline recently announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as other elections fast approaching, and as key political actors of the polity, we cannot sit back and allow our party denigrate to this level and has thus decided to come forward and proffer solutions to this crisis.
“After exhaustive deliberations on the issues affecting the party, we the Chairmen of State Chapters in the country at its meeting held on the 17th of March 2017 resolved as follows:
“In line with the only template presented by the Peace and Reconciliation Committee of our Party headed by Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State, we wish to state that we support the recommendation that a political solution is the best and only solution to our crisis without prejudice to the on-going judicial processes.
“We are also in support of the committees’ recommendation of an all-inclusive unity convention to be held as soon as possible.
“We therefore suggest that every organ of the party, group or individuals that has anything to add to the aforementioned recommendations should present same to the National Chairman for consideration and deliberations as we believe this will deepen our internal democracy and support an all-inclusive regeneration of the party.
“We as legitimately elected Chairmen wish to state on the grounds of clarity that we shall never be in support or be a part of any thought of tinkering with the option of leaving the PDP and forming another party.
“We shall at all times align ourselves to any judicial pronouncement of a superior court on this matter. We call upon all party leaders and members to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure the survival of the party at this critical period of our history.
“We also call upon the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sherriff and the National Working Committee (NWC) to abide by the recommendations of the peace and reconciliation committee for the sake of our great party.
“As a forum, we shall continue to engage the party leadership and all relevant stakeholders with a view to having a hitch free convention and call upon all leaders and party members to work towards the realisation of this objective.
“The Chairmen appreciate the efforts of the former President, Governors, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, Past leaders and elders of the party for their untiring efforts at resolving the on-going crisis in the party. Thank You and God bless.”