Obasanjo, Other Governors Shun PDP Dinner

President Goodluck Jonathan has said, that despite some disagreements in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party remains intact. 

He said at this party post convention dinner, Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday. This is even as the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the aggrieved governors were conspicuously absent at the dinner meant for reconciliation.

Jonathan described those with grievances as minor, assuring that all would be resolved. He said the dinner was a partial fulfilment of the party’s decision to encourage periodic meetings to interact with party members:

“In any human institutions there must be disagreements. What happened (the factional PDP) is a minor disagreements that can be solved.

“For those who have issues, we thank the elders and governors who have been meeting and listening to them, we are committed to resolving our differences. Even ordinary Nigerians believe PDP must remain one because is the only party that can continue to give leadership.

“Even those that are aggrieved call themselves the new PDP meaning they know without PDP they are nothing. PDP is intact, that we have some disagreements is normal. PDP is intact and will remain intact. Is only PDP that has not changed name or form.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo said the PDP has always provided leadership for others to emulate. Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, noted that Nigeria has faced major challenges in the past and did not break up and Nigeria will not break up under Jonathan’s watch.

The Senate President, David Mark, represented by his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, the Senate is undivided, united and will continue to protect the interest of Nigerians and support this administration. Speaker of the House of Representatives represented by his Deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, said the PDP members in National Assembly will continue to support the party through legislative means.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Tony Anenih, said this is the first time the party was discussing its future.

He appealed that the task ahead is enormous, “we must be seen as a team not as a group”. He urged Jonathan to come out and declare his intentions by the end of September, that it is no longer right to say the time is not right.

Speaking directly to the factional PDP members, the BOT Chair said, “We will not fire any shot but we will win the war. We should not recognise opposition within PDP.

Governors present were Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Benue (Deputy Governor)  Cross River, Delta, Gombe, Katsina, Taraba (Acting Governor), Kebbi,  Plateau, Kogi. Others present were former national party chairmen, former members of the National Assembly and former governors.

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