File photo: Gov Okowa and Atiku in Asaba
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike and his G-5 team among other members shunned the party’s reconciliation meeting Tuesday.
Political Economist NG reports that the meeting was convened to begin the process of reconciliation which suffered severe disunity that impaired its performance at the 2023 polls.
The nomination of its presidential and vice presidential candidates and demand by aggrieved members led by the G-5 governors for the removal of former national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu were chief reasons for the factionalisation of the party.
National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, said at the meeting held at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, that the meeting was convened to douse tension and kickstart reconciliation within the party in the aftermath of the election.
He cautioned members on finger-pointing, stressing that the party would not apportion blames, suspend, expel or accuse anybody of playing pro or anti party activities during the last general elections.
“This party believe that Atiku Abubakar won the election, but we are in court, and without prejudice to what the court will decide, we will keep it aside. Let me acknowledge that this is not a NEC meeting, but an interactive meeting with the aim to jump starting a reconciliation process.
“We are here today and everyone knows what happened in 2023. We contributed both individually and collectively. If you rise to speak, I beg you to spell out your own role in 2023 elections, either positive or negative before you jump to accuse someone else either negative or positive.”
Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun, said the meeting was in continuation of the National Working Committee ( NWC) consultation with critical stakeholders, in a bid to chart the way forward for the party after the last election.
“This meeting will give us the opportunity to review the outcome of the last general elections and to share ideas about how to strengthen the party to face the challenges ahead.
“We have had series of meetings with the members of the National Ex officio, state Chairmen, select BoT and members of the National Assembly. This is a continuation of that meeting and it was borne out of what has happened during those meetings and we said there was need for us to call this one.”
Political Economist NG reports that PDP candidate in the Presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, came second in the election which the party believed it won. The matter is currently being argued at the Presidential Election Petition Court.
