The leadership of the “New PDP” has cancelled the proposed reconciliation meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan which was previously slated for the 7th of October, 2013.
The Abubarka Baraje–led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disclosed on Wednesday in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, in Abuja that the date was no longer appropriate for the meeting.
Eze pointed out that the faction discovered that the date of the proposed peace meeting would affect its member’s activities during this year’s holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
“Our National Chairman, Alhaji Baraje, and most of our other key members, including most of the G-7 Governors and the five other governors that have indicated interest to join us by next week, as well as members of the National Assembly, former governors, and business moguls, are billed to perform the Hajj, which is already in operation”, he said,.
“Alhaji Baraje, the progressive governors and other stakeholders performing the Hajj have been mandated to use the opportunity offered by the Holy Pilgrimage to pray for the restoration of peace and unity in our great party, the PDP, as well as in our dear country, Nigeria.”
After the group held a caucus meeting, on Tuesday night in Abuja it could not propose a new date for the meeting but sought a later date after the completion of the Hajj activities.
“Hajj will end on October 17. It is after that day that we would be able to attend. So, we appeal to the President to consider a date after October 17”, it was stated.
Eze, however assured the New PDP supporters and Nigerians in general of the group’s commitment towards bringing back the glorious days of both the PDP and Nigeria.
He urged the faction’s supporters of to be steadfast in their support for the struggle “to enthrone genuine democracy devoid of abuse of the rule of law”.
And he also assured that the leaders were committed to efforts to guarantee that the current struggle did not end in futility.
Hence the faction is determined to achieve the “set objectives of restoring our party to the path of honour and greatness”.
Eze also confirmed that the faction has postponed NWC which was slated for billed for 5th October pending the return of the national chairman (Baraje) from the Hajj.
He, however, regretted the inconveniences the action might cause the President, party faithful and Nigerians, adding that in spite of this, prayer was superior to the meeting.
It would be recalled that the last meeting between the seven “rebel” governors of the “New PDP” (G-7) and Jonathan held on September 15 at the Presidential Villa on where issues relating to the lingering crisis in the party were discussed and the October 7 meeting was determined in the communiqué.
Those present at the last meeting were the Vice-President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo; the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih including the aggrieved governors in the “New PDP”.
Besides, prior to the cancellation of the date by Baraje’s group, the Bamanga Tukur’s PDP had expressed hope that the October 7 meeting would make them to achieve full reconciliation with “our aggrieved brothers”.
“We discussed (at the NWC meeting) the efforts and mentioned our aggrieved brothers, we have left it for the meeting of October 7 to know how best to handle it.
“This is a national party, the custodians of the party administration are ready and capable to handle all matters that affect this party after the peace meeting”, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh had hoped.