PDP faults APC’s rejection of confab • Says conference is for Nigerians, not political parties • Why Buhari regime persecuted Dikko, by Tukur PIQUED by the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the proposed national conference, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the programme is not meant to pursue political parties’ agendas but the collective interest of all Nigerians. Addressing journalists in Abuja, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said: “Let me restate that the national conference is not a conference of political parties; it is a conference of all Nigerians. If a particular political party believes that it has nothing to offer, there is nothing we can do about it. If they don’t have people, no ideas to offer about full integration of the country, we can’t help.” He added: “Nigerians have already noted that this particular political party believes in disintegration and sowing seed of discord is the best way to sell and promote their party. They have been promoting division in the country. So, what else can they offer when it comes to national dialogue? There is absolutely nothing that they can offer Nigerians, except promotion of ethnic division and hatred. “Nigerians have welcomed the national conference, members of the National Assembly have accepted it, traditional and religious leaders have welcomed it. If a political party doesn’t want to participate, Nigerians should note that it is because they have nothing to offer in terms of the development of this nation and national integration.” The PDP also said that the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari regime persecuted the Second Republic Transport Minister, Umaru Dikko, because that administration lacked respect for democracy and rule of law. The party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who inaugurated the seven-member PDP National Disciplinary Committee headed by Dikko, said the former transport minister was championing the cause of democracy even outside the shores of the country. The Deputy Chairman of the disciplinary committee, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and another member, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, were, however, absent from the inauguration. Other members on the committee are Shuaibu Oyedokun, Hajiya Nana Aisha Quadir, Hussaini Kazaer and Onwe Solomon Onwe who serves as secretary. According to Tukur, no society develops unless it conforms with existing rules and regulations, adding that the PDP would adhere to discipline as enshrined in its constitution. On the choice of Dikko as the chairman of the committee, Tukur said his choice was informed by his defence of democracy, saying this was what made the military government to be uncomfortable and felt they should kidnap him by attempting to take him to Nigeria from Britain in 1983. “You are chosen to do this important committee based on your pass record and love for democracy,” Tukur added. He eulogised the committee members, noting that “they are people who will not witch-hunt anybody, but you can be sure not to come to them when you cross the line to the wrong side,” he said. Tukur lauded them for accepting the offer to serve the party, pointing out that the PDP was keen on party discipline. “We look forward to seeing that the discipline we crave for will come to stay so that the party will grow”, he added. In response, Dikko assured the party that the committee would do all that was necessary to develop the party. Also yesterday, the Abubakar Baraje-led splinter group said it had filed a notice of appeal over last week’s ruling by a Federal High Court, Abuja, restraining it from using PDP’s logo and colours and recognising the Tukur-led National Working Committee (NWC) as the authentic leadership of the party. A statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “The notice of appeal was filed this morning (Thursday) by our team of lawyers led by Raji (SAN) before the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Honourable Justice Evoh Chukwu, who ruled against us last Friday. We are also seeking an injunction and a stay of execution of Honourable Justice Chukwu’s ruling. “The decision to file the appeal was taken at an emergency meeting of the New PDP National Working Committee (NWC) following the return of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, from the 2013 pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The decision was taken after the NWC carefully studied last Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court and after due consultations with our team of lawyers.” The statement continued: “We once more wish to reiterate that we remain convinced that we have a good case and are thus determined to ensure that Tukur and his cohorts are not allowed to hold sway as the leaders of our great party. “Our teeming members and supporters should, therefore, entertain no fears whatsoever and should remain steadfast as we seek to legally establish our case and logically conclude our mission to rescue the PDP from anti-democratic forces so as to restore the noble vision of the party’s founding fathers.”
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 06:08:45 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015