We Indeed Have Crises In PDP...Goodluck Jonathan At NEC Meeting

President Goodluck Jonathan has openly admitted the crises rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But, in his view, the party will sort out its disagreements amicably.

Jonathan, who spoke at the 62nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party yesterday, said disagreements are inevitable in all human relationships, even at the family level.

“But the key thing that makes life go on is our ability to resolve our crises. No matter the disagreements, no matter the interests, politics, they say, is a game of interests.

“As I came in, the Vice-President whispered something to me about some lapses somewhere. There may be disagreements. In all institutions, even at the family level, there must be disagreements on issues.

“We will resolve these differences amicably to make sure that every member of the party is happy. That is the area I commend the elders of the party via the committees set up by the national chairman for going round to see how some of these differences would be resolved at the state level.

“The chairman of BoT Chief Tony Anenih, has been meeting the various groups to make sure that we speak with one voice; and we will continue to speak with one voice”, the President said.

He attributed the renewed tempo in the political sphere to what he described as the “intimidating credentials” of the PDP, which he said had elicited a flurry of political activities in the opposition camps.

He continued: “We had thought that political activities will not start so early in the country. But because of the intimidating credentials of the PDP, people started meeting; parties started coming together; and new parties are being formed.

“It’s a blessing for all of us, all because people are confused about how we would manage PDP; and they will continue to be confused”.

Rating his administration high, the President said positive fruits of the efforts of the ruling party would start manifesting by 2014, adding that the achievements would confound his critics.

“No matter what anybody is saying, things will be on ground for us; for them to compare what the PDP government is doing.

“A number of things that Nigerians almost forgot about, like railways, we are bringing them back. And I believe that by the time we move into early next year, things will become very obvious.

“So, even those who doubt us will not have anything to say. We promise that we are going to do that with the assistance of the party.

“And those who continue to think that PDP cannot come together, that PDP cannot manage success, will be terribly disappointed”, Jonathan emphasised.

National chairman Bamanga Tukur in his welcome address, stressed the need for the party to lead by example for other the parties to follow.

According to him, the PDP has continued to grow from strength to strength, adding that in spite of the numerous challenges.

He said the strength and success of the party lay in its ability to resolve its differences amicably in an atmosphere devoid of bitterness, rancor, acrimony and recrimination.

Tukur said: “There are internal organs and mechanisms for conflict resolution in our party. I encourage our members to explore these avenues in ventilating their grievances and to as much as possible, avoid litigations which make a mockery of our stand on peace and stability.

“We need peace and friendly concord in our party. We cannot reach our destination in an atmosphere of bitterness and rivalry.

“I therefore call on all our party faithful and members across the country to sheath their swords and enthrone enduring peace. I want to commend the National Reconciliation Committee for the good work it is doing and encourage our members to take their grievances to the committee or other organs of the party entrusted with the task of restoring peace in the party”.

It was gathered that the proposal to grant right of first refusal to the President and first term governors in the 2015 election, was stepped down so as no to further polarise the party.

The presence of some of the governors who are critical of the party’s leadership at the meeting, forced those who intended to raise the motion to stop it.

The NEC meeting lasted a little over 30 minutes. Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda described it as a sign of unity in the party.

He said contrary to what people might want to believe, the brief PDP NEC meeting “shows that the family is together and that everybody is working together.

“It is a sign of good things to come. We are now happy with one another. The family is together and If there was a problem, we would have stayed longer to solve it,’’ he said.

Though brief, the meeting which was convened to ratify the date of the party’s national convention “went on well, very short and straight to the point’’.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Acting National Publicity Secretary Mr. Tony Okeke, said the party resolved to obey the court order stopping the August 24 congresses of the Southwest zone.

He also said the NEC resolved that the August 31 mini convention should hold as scheduled.

Governors that attended the meeting are: Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe); and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).

Others were: Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Idris Wada (Kogi); Jonah Jang (Plateau); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna); Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); and Garba Umar (Taraba).

Deputy Governors at the event are Murktar Shagari (Sokoto) and Alhaji Ganduje ( Kano) who represented their governors.

Governors Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Theodore Orji (Abia); and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) did not attend.

Notable party chieftains at the meeting were: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; BoT chair, Chief Tony Anenih; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; and Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu.

Others were: Secretary BoT, Alhaji Walid Jibrin; Acting Deputy National chairman, Chibudom Nwuche; Acting National Secretary, Aderemi Akitoye; Chief Bode George; Professor Jerry Gana, among others