By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
Some founding fathers and top chieftains of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of Concerned Elders Forum, led by former Senate President, David Mark, have waded into the crisis currently rocking the National Working Committee (NWC), with a pledge to find an amicable solution to misunderstanding.
Reacting to the recent developments at the National Secretariat of the party, the group, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, urged all Party Organs, Party Officers and Party Members to remain calm, faithful and orderly, “as we proceed with urgent consultations and initiatives to resolve the contending issues.”
About three days ago, seven national officers of the party resigned from the NWC, accusing the National Chairmanship of Uche Secondus of unfairly treating and sidelining them from the scheme of things.
The national officers, who addressed their respective resignation letters to the National Secretary of the party, Senator Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri, included the National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi; Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hassan Yakubu and; the Deputy National Woman Leader, Hadizat Umoru.
But the concerned elders forum, in the statement, said “We wish to firmly reassure aggrieved stakeholders that we intend to be thorough, objective, creative and balanced in our efforts to find lasting solutions to the fundamental matters arising.”
“Towards this end, we have initiated moves to urgently meet with our Governors, the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee and other critical stakeholders,” it added.
The group further told the aggrieved stakeholder, “Since we all share the legitimate desires of our loyal members to offer a credible, effective and productive alternative, we have no doubt that we shall soon find positive, appropriate, pragmatic and lasting solutions to the problems facing the Party.”
“We shall emerge from this crisis stronger, better and more united. This is only a temporary challenge,” it assured.
It equally assured all Nigerians that the PDP was resolute in providing “qualitative leadership, sound programs, effective implementation strategies and hope generating solutions to our national problems.”
The statement was also signed by other members of the concerned elders forum, including Prof. Jerry Gana, Dr. Iyochia Ayu, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Senator E. Abaribe, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator A. Wabara, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and Dr. Ibrahim H Dankwambo.
The rest were: Senator Helen Esuene, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rt. Hon. Austin Okpara, Sentor Biodun Olujimi, Senator Zainab Kure, Senator Agboola Hosea, Senator Odion Ugbesia, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe and Hajiya Hadiza Adodo.