By: Sunday Oyewole
Even prior to the conclusion of the Special National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a parallel national executive emerged Saturday with Abubakar Kawu Baraje as national chairman.
The new national executives announced by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, also include Sam Sam Jaja as Deputy National Chairman and Olagunsoye Oyinlola as National Secretary.
Shortly before voting commenced at Eagles Square, venue of the special convention, some chieftains of the ruling party including seven governors stormed out of the convention ground and headed straight to Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre where they addressed a press conference.
Present at the media briefing were Governors Rotimi Amaechi-Rivers, Aliyu Babangida-Niger, Sule Lamido-Jigawa, Aliyu Wamakko-Sokoto, Abdulfatai Ahmed-Kwara, Rabiu Kwakwanso-Kano and Muritala Nyako-Adamawa.
The factional chairman, Kawu Baraje was former acting national chairman of the PDP while Oyinlola, was unceremoniously removed from office as national secretary.
Also present were some members of the Senate and House of Represenattaives including former Governor of Nasarawa, Adamu Abdullahi, now a Senator.
Speaking, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said it was a day of mixed feelings noting that the party that was formed to be a rallying point for all Nigerians has failed to achieve that.
According to him, there was anger, disappointment and frustrations in the land, saying the founding fathers have a responsibility to rise up to the occasion by reforming the party.
He said, “Today is a very historic day in the life of our party. It is also a day of mixed feelings. It could also be a day of happiness, it could also be a sad because the party we conceived in 1998 to be a rallying point for all Nigerians to be a source of unity, to be a party that will fulfill the aspirations of Nigerians, has today be dragged down by people who don’t even understand what party politics is all about.
“Let us not deceive ourselves, the country is full of frustration, the country is full of anger, is full disappointment, therefore we have a responsibility, to see how we can reform our great party so that those lofty ideals, lofty goals can be achieved. They cannot be achieved by the present leadership of the party. It cannot be achieved even by the presidency”.
Atiku, insisted the party was going in the wrong direction, commending who stood up to be counted among courageous party, urging those still undecided to join the reformation train.
“I have said it before and I am saying it again, that we are going in a wrong direction. We are losing the party, we are losing the government, and for this very courageous people seated here, this idea was mooted to see whether we still have men with courage and determination to get up and stand up.
“I will therefore want to appeal to the rest of our party members who are still sitting on the fence to join this new PDP. I want to assure you we will restore the values of the founding fathers of this party.
“Let me thank all you for the courage and support to stand up because some people will be hiding somewhere. By the grace of God with your support, with your loyalty, the change will be achieved,” the former Vice President said.
