PDP negotiates with Kwakwanso, Amaechi, other aggrieved governors – Metuh

Rotimi Amaechi

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said on Thursday that it was negotiating with the party`s major stakeholders and the aggrieved governors who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is contained in a statement by Olisa Metuh, the party`s National Publicity Secretary, in Abuja.

Five former PDP governors (Rotimi Amaechi of Kwara, Rabiu Kwakwanso of Kano, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa) have joined the APC due to the crisis in the Nigerian ruling party.

The governors were members of the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the PDP, tagged New PDP, which announced a merger with the APC.

Mr. Metuh’s statement also debunked media reports that some senators walked out on the party`s National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, when he visited the Senate to meet PDP senators on Dec. 4.

He said the reported walkout was “totally false and deliberately planted” by the party`s enemies to mislead the public. He added that the report was also geared to impede the efforts of the party`s leadership to achieve total reconciliation.

“The leadership of our great party was well received and had a very peaceful and fruitful meeting with our members in the Senate.’’ the spokesperson said.

He said that PDP elected and appointed officers and its governors shared the same ideals and principles with the party administrators.

According to the statement, the party’s elected officials remain “unflinchingly committed to the visions” of its founding fathers.

“The PDP is not only a political party but a belief which cannot be easily jettisoned.

“It is a belief in national interest; a belief in the unity of the country and in satisfying the interests of the common man.

“These ideals remain greater than any personal interest and will outlive us all.’’ the statement said.

It said the party`s National Working Committee (NWC) would ensure that all party issues were handled in accordance with the provisions of the PDP constitution and that of the country.

The statement reiterated that no unlawful means would be used under any guise in handling the party issues.

It urged all PDP members to remain calm and focused, adding that the party would come out of its current challenges stronger than ever.

It would be recalled that five PDP governors, who were in the Baraje-led PDP splinter group, recently defected to the APC alongside some party stakeholders.

(NAN)