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By Myke Agunwa
The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that it will no longer tolerate any form of indiscipline or dual loyalty from party members.
The leadership commended the National Working Committee (NWC) for accepting to end it’s tenure before the expiration of their tenure.
Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF), Sen. Bala Mohammed gave the hints during the 101 National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party which took place on Thursday at the party’s headquarters, Wadata plaza, Abuja.
The Bauchi State governor commended party members for their residence but said that the crisis that ravaged the opposition party festered because the party failed to activate its disciplinary measures to whip erring members to line. He said that the party will not condone any form of indiscipline from any member going forward.
“We will not continue to condone indiscipline in this place, because indiscipline is what brought us all the problems and challenges. Definitely, the party has shown resilience, and the governors are going through a lot of challenges, just like the NWC. We will continue to express confidence in the organs of the party.
“We commend the NWC, who have shown magnanimity to even agree to go earlier than their time. They have shown that at least they are with us and we should always appreciate that, because if everybody stands and become dogged and become dogmatic, we are not going to where we want,” he said.
He commended the founding fathers of the party for bringing the party on track. He also appealed to members who have left the part due to grieveinaves to come back and join the rebuilding process.
“As the BoT Secretary has said, This is not time for calling names. This is not time for abuses. We sympathize with those who became impatient and left but certainly they will understand and we would still leave the door ajar for them to come in when they wish to, within a time limit”.
He added that the governors are working with all the organs of the party to ensure that the party is repositioned to winning future elections.
“We thank the founding fathers who have come to rescue our image to a large extent. Yesterday’s outing was so good, and it has really blessed us, and we should be proud that we have fathers, we have mothers. We are the sons of the fathers.
“We are ready to work with you so that no personal interest will divide us. Our ambition is not more important than the nation. We must be able to hide our personal ambition, either as governors or those seeking for presidency, so that we can leave a level playing field.
“Now with the necessary recognition by the regulator INEC, at the end of the day, we’ll give the APC political running for their money in terms of contest that will be given on a level playing field with a party that is intact, and also give answer to our people wishing to come in .
“In terms of whatever permutation or conjecture we call it, whether it is coalition, whether it is alliance, it is the PDP that should be able to drive it, because it is the main opposition party,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum said that the party is not losing sleep over the coalition.
“On this issue, I am pleased to report that this political experiment is nothing to lose sleep over. Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claim they never left and merely attended a meeting, we accept their confessions without prejudice.
“Let me add that, this reversal is not limited to PDP members alone. Individuals from other political parties who initially joined this coalition have realised that the venture is ill-fated and their swift return is proof of this.
“The PDP remains the only party that is not only poised and ready to take back power, but also the only party with the structure, national acceptability, and legacy capable of bearing the weight of this great national undertaking. To close this matter, I believe that all of us look forward to the total dismantling of this ill-fated coalition, even as we extend our best wishes to those involved”.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees(BoT), Sen. Adolphus Wabara in his remarks, advised party leaders to build on the stability in the party to ensure that the party moves forward
Represented by the BoT Secretary, Sen. Ahmed Marafi, Wabara said, “We have to build on that stability, but we must never take things for granted, because for one reason or the other, some of our friends and associates have left us. I don’t believe they have left us for good. I believe, when you look at the agenda, the success of the items scheduled is what will bring most of them back. I cannot say all of them, we can even bring new hands into the PDP.
“So the ball is in our court, not only to discuss and approve the items on the agenda, but to make sure the outcome of the schedule National Convention sends a strong positive message to Nigerians, because that is what is going to define the political landscape in this country”.
He urges members to priortize the interestof the party rather than their personal ambition.
“I urge all members to be cautious of what they say or do. Some cannot be working to rebuild the party, and some trying to demarket it.
“There is a difference between personal opinion and party position. If anybody is speaking on personal opinion, he or she should say so. The party has formal organs for speaking, and that should be respected”.
“We must never show to the public that we are a group that anybody can do what he or she likes anytime and anyhow. We must be cautious of each other by what we do or what we don’t do as we move forward.
“Mr. Chairman, we know that some people are aggrieved, but we have to come down and pull down whatever our grievances may be. If we work together, the convention should resolve all grievances. It’s an opportunity, and we must not miss it. We should be patient and make use of it. May God Almighty guide this meeting and subsequent missions, and may God Almighty shower and crown our efforts with victory in whatever we set out for ourselves”.
The meeting was attended by governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ademola Adeleke (Oyo) and Ahmadu Fintri (Adamawa).
Others are former governor of Ondo State Olagunaoye Oyinlola, former Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki, former Deputy Chairman South Olabide George and other members.
The Senate was represented by the minority leader, Sen. Abba Moro while the House of Representative was led by the minority leader. Hon. Kingsley Chinda.