PDP Inaugurates Convention Planning Committee

Plans to woo Obasanjo, Atiku, others back
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that it is set to reconcile with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his erstwhile deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as well as others who left the party.

The Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, (NCC), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who stated this while inaugurating committees for the Saturday’s national convention of the party in Abuja, said no stone will be left unturned to bring back those who left the party.
The three committees are national convention, disciplinary and reconciliation, which is co-chaired by Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike.

Makarfi specifically charged the reconciliation committee to bring back to the fold, former political office holders who were elected on the platform of the party.
According to Makarfi, “Reconciliation is to reconcile and bring back to the fold those who held top political offices on PDP platform, be they president, vice president, speaker, deputy speaker, governor or deputy governor.

“You can even reconcile with those who have never been in the PDP and bring them back to the party. You must not close doors to anybody coming into the PDP, and we must create level playing ground.”
On his part, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, who is heading the disciplinary committee said his committee would work closely with reconciliation committee to ensure former members who left the PDP return.

“All Progressives Congress (APC) is now dying and is almost dead. I am aware that they were able to win (the 2015 election) because of (former) members of PDP.
“I have it on good authority that key members who left PDP and joined APC are now returning to the party. I will like us to receive then with open hands and we will rebuild the party,” Ikimi added.

Also, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who is the Chairman of the National Convention Committee, said the convention would be the major assignment for the party as it prepares to take over power from APC in 2019.

In his response, Okowa, thanked the party for the opportunity to serve, promising that the members would immediately devote themselves to the onerous task of making the special non-elective national convention a successful one.

“The committee is comprised of eminent Nigerians and party chieftains with vast experience. We shall organise a convention that will not only positively shake Abuja but the entire country, The task before the committee is a daunting one as we have barely 48 hours to plan and this requires that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the committee delivers on its mandate,” he said.

Meanhwhile, the party has appointed former Minister of Health, Prof. ABC Nwosu, as the chairman of a caretaker committee to revive its fortunes in Anambra State following the dissolution of the three parallel executives.

Former National Women Leader of the party, Josephine Anenih, is the Secretary of the committee.
Speaking during the inauguration of the committee at the party’s national secretariat, Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the party, Makarfi, charged the committee members to use the opportunity offered them to serve in the interest of the party.

“You are to see that interests are protected and balanced. If we give you power, use it well and just,” Makarfi said.
Part of the terms of reference given to the caretaker committee is to organise a credible and effective party primary for the forthcoming state governorship election.