The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu summoned a party meeting yesterday which included PDP Governors and Senators, as well as other members of the PDP National Working Committee.
The meeting which took place at the Apo residence of Senate President, David Mark was an opportunity according to Muazu for the members to “touch base and interact with one another”. He said such meetings would become a regular occurrence.
Present at the meeting were Seriake Dickson( Bayelsa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Theodore Orji (Abia) and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Idris Wada (Kogi), Ramallan Yero (Kaduna), Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar, Deputy Governor of Sokoto State Muktari Shagari and the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Ahaji Ahmed Mahmoud.
Deputy National Chairman Uche Secondus, National Secretary Wale Oladipo, National Woman Leader, Mrs. Kema Chikwe and National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, were some of the PDP NWC members that accompanies the PDP Chairman to the meeting.
The Senate Majority leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba pledged the support of the Senators to the Party.
He said, “I pledge that in us, the PDP Senate Caucus, you will find very loyal party men and women. We will work with. We will stay by you. We will partner with you to reinvent PDP.”
Whilst owning up to the crisis in the party, he said “The good news is that the challenges are about to end while those of the other parties are about to begin.”
“PDP is as strong as it has always been and will be stronger,” he added.
Governor Akpabio said, “It is an uncommon gathering in an uncommon period in the history of this uncommon party, which is facing uncommon challenges and seeking uncommon solutions.”
He added: “Our meeting today is to strengthen you (Mu’azu) and to assure you that you are not alone. Whatever the outcome of this meeting, the governors will ensure its full implementation.”
Akpabio also stated that one of their targets was to increase the number of States controlled by the PDP irregardless of those who had defected.
Mu’azu expressed concern about Executive bills being delayed or defeated at the National Assembly. He said, “there is no reason why executive bills cannot be discussed with the PDP lawmakers before they are introduced on the floor so that such bills will enjoy smooth sail”.
Mu’azu added: “If we do not continue to consult with one another, we will continue to disagree with one another.”