National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief
Olisa Metuh, said the apology credited to the party’s National Conference
Committee Chairman, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, remained his personal opinion.
Metuh made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said Dokpesi’s statement did not in any way represent official position
of the PDP, as he was not a member of the party’s National Executive
Committee.
Metuh said Dokpesi could only speak in his personal capacity adding that
his opinion remains personal and did not represent that of the party
On PDP’s choice to field former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015
presidential race, Metuh said the decision was approved by the party’s
National Working Committee (NWC).
He added that the decision was also approved by the party’s National
Executive Council (NEC), and the party’s National Caucus.
“In addition, the Constitution of the party allows a sitting president the
chance to exercise his personal right to run for a second term if he so
desires.’’
On whether the party regreted its action, Metuh said: “how can you regret
a decision taken when everyone was there, the NWC, NEC and the national
caucus?
“What are we talking about? Everybody was conscious of the decision;
nobody was coerced into supporting the position.”
He, however, said it was not the time for buck-passing or blame-game but
time to collectively reposition the party.
“We are repositioning our party. What we should do is to join hands to
reposition PDP based on Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s report to reclaim the
party’s lost glory. This is what is expected of us all at this time’’,
Metuh said.
NAN recalls that Dokpesi had on Tuesday on behalf of the PDP apologised
for mistakes it may have made during its 16 years rule in the country.
Dokpesi admitted that the party might not have met all the expectations of
Nigerians while it was in power and said: “on behalf of PDP, I tender our
apologies.’’
Dokpesi admitted that the party deviated from the dream of its founding
fathers, adding that members operated without recourse to the rule of law.
He added that the party, in 2010 and 2011, made the first fundamental
mistake for not allowing the North to complete its term.
He noted that special recommendations were made to allow former President
Goodluck Jonathan to complete it.