Peace seem to be returning to the main opposition party in Nigeria, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, as the two factions of the party on Tuesday, September 20 2016 resolved to work together for the “greater good”.
The Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the PDP and a faction of the party led by Ali Modu Sheriff met in Abuja where they agreed to put their differences behind them.
The caretaker committee was led to the meeting by its National Secretary, Ben Obi, while Cairo Ojougbo, the deputy national chairman of the Sheriff faction, led its members.
At a joint press conference, the groups said they had resolved to bring about a united, focused and constructive opposition party in order to achieve sanity in the nation’s democratic process.
Ojougboh read the text of the conference and he noted that the groups also agreed to constitute a joint committee which would embark on a holistic reconciliation of the aggrieved members of the party nationwide.
“In reviewing the crisis that has engulfed our party, the PDP since the loss of the 2015 general elections, after 16 years of uninterrupted leadership at the centre, it became obvious to both of us as principal actors that it is time to heal the wounds, and bring about a united, focused and constructive opposition party that can bring sanity to our democratic process, bringing relief to the teeming supporters of our great party, the PDP and to the benefit of our country Nigeria,” the party said.
“Based on the above, we have both agreed to consult widely with all relevant organs of the party; set up a joint committee that will carry out a holistic reconciliation of all aggrieved segments of our party across the country and in diaspora; pursue the vision of the founding fathers of our great party the PDP.”
He concluded by asking their members to remain calm and refrain from actions and utterances that could further bring about division and dispute in the party.
