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Ex-Senate President, 3 Govs to plan for party’s NEC, convention
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Ahead of its forthcoming national executive committee (NEC) meeting and national convention, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a seven-man committee, headed by former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.
The decision was one of the high points of the meeting held in Abuja on Sunday night by serving and former PDP governors as well as some members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State,
Senator Bala Mohamed disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end the over four-hour meeting, held at the Bauchi Governor’s lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
Senator Mohammed explained that the Saraki-led committee was tasked to ensure quick reconciliation of members of the party before the forthcoming national convention scheduled to hold in August.
The Bauchi State Governor disclosed that “some of existential issues” threatening the PDP were discussed at the meeting “so that we will be able to navigate smoothly for the NEC that is scheduled to take place on the 27th of this month, and by August we will have an early convention.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike who also attended the meeting did not stay till the end before leaving.
Senator Mohamed, who admitted that there were “some missing gaps here and there,” within the leading opposition party, expressed the hope that the committee set up will be able to reconcile members in such a manner that “we will have a very rancour-free and harmonious NEC and convention”.
The Bauchi Governor said, ‘We are here with all the governors elected under the party, that are still in the party and a substantial number of former PDP governors, with our leaders, the chairman of the party, and some members of the National Working Committee.
“We discussed some of the issues relating to our party, some existential issues, of course, that have been around in the media, within us, so that we will be able to navigate smoothly for the NEC that is scheduled to take place on the 27th of this month, and by August we will have an early convention.
“So many issues and reports have been made, and it is an opportunity to close ranks, and to make sure that at least there is no ill feelings, there are no qualms, there are no misgivings between the leaders of the party. “Governors of the party have reached out to our colleagues who have been there before, who have more in-depth experience, and whatever suggestions or opinions they may have, will go a long way in giving an added impetus to the actualization of our NEC, and our convention that is scheduled to take place on specific days, and of course to reassure our teaming supporters that the PDP is working, the PDP is united.
“There are some missing gaps here and there. We set up a committee of seven, headed by His Excellency, the former Senate President, and of course former Governor of Kwara State, to make sure that at least quick reconciliation and reach out will be made, in such a manner that we will have a very rancour free and harmonious NEC and convention”, he explained.
He described the defections from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in recent time as “some of the manifestations in a democratic set-up,” but added that “rather than diminishing and weakening, it is making us stronger.”
Governor Mohamed expressed the firm optimism that PDP would produce the next governors in the states where there were defections that are traditional PDP states.
Saraki, in a post on his Facebook page after the meeting, said, “The committee is headed by my humble self, and I will have the pleasure of working with my brothers -His Excellency Dauda Lawal, His Excellency Caleb Muftwang and His Excellency Peter Mba, governors of Zamfara, Plateau and Enugu States respectively.
“Other members are Sen. Seriake Dickson, Sen. Ibrahim Dankwambo, and former governor of Abia State, HE, Chief Okezie Ikpeazu”, he explained.
