The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday said the reconciliation and consolidation tour embarked by the party was a huge success, describing reports in the media that some governors walked out of the South South reconciliation meeting in Port Harcourt on Sunday as false.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the massive turnout of Nigerians to be part of the initiative shows the enormous support and trust they have in the party.
“The initiative by the National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur to go round the six geo-political zones in the country witnessed Nigerians coming out in their numbers to be part of the reconciliation, reformation and rebuilding agenda of the Chairman. They came to appreciate the efforts of the Chairman and show support for the party,” he said.
The party leaders were at Ibadan to meet with stakeholders in the South West. Enugu was venue for the South East while Rivers state hosted the South-South meeting in Port Harcourt. Yesterday the party met with stakeholders from the North East in Bauchi, Bauchi state capital.
Metuh said the party chairman embarked on the reconciliation agenda to weld the party together more to make it stronger than ever before.
“The party leadership is determined to weld the party together and is addressing the challenges facing the party. Our sensitization for reconciliation tour is recording huge success; areas of potential conflicts and challenges are being identified to facilitate full reconciliation,” he said.
In dismissing reports that some governors walked out of the meeting in Port Harcourt, Metuh said the governors took permission from the National Chairman before they left the meeting.
“No governor walked out of the meeting. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had an appointment to keep and duly informed the National Chairman who gave him permission to leave. Governor Chibuike Amaechi just escorted him and he also took permission from the National Chairman. Nobody is above the party and it is totally untrue that they walked out. Our governors are cultured and decent and therefore cannot engage in unruly acts.
“The issue of hunger and Mr. Biggs was actually a play of words by Governor Uduaghan and Governor Akpabio who added humor to showcase the leadership appreciation of sacrifices of those who attended,” he said.
Metuh also defended the N1 million donation made by the Akwa Ibom governor to each state chapter of the party saying it is a sign of gratitude by the party leadership to its members for the sacrifices they made in working hard for the party.
“The cost of the venue and other logistics were handled by the host governor and Governor Akpabio showed his commitment to party faithfuls by assisting them with transport allowance as well as assisting them with some welfare. Politics all over the world is very expensive and any gesture towards accommodating the sacrifices of the ordinary PDP faithfuls is important,” he said.
Metuh said the PDP is grateful to the media for assisting in highlighting areas of challenges which will assist the party in providing good governance and thanked Nigerians for their overwhelming support for the party.