PDP Must Remain United- Mark
The leadership of the ‘New PDP’ led by Abubakar Kawu Baraje in company of the seven aggrieved governors on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to present key demands that they considered crucial to the resolution of the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The splinter group demanded among other things, recall of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State from suspension as well as his recognition as the elected chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
The reversal of the dissolution of the Party Executives in Rivers and Adamawa states, removal of Bamaga Tukur as National Chairman of the party, strict adherence to party constitution and total objection to what they called ‘third term from the back door’.
On the Baraje’s delegation were the G-7 governors- Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Ahmed Fatai of Kwara , Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state.
Responding to their demands, Senate President David Mark urged the warring groups to come together and uphold a strong and united Party. He told them categorically that he was not prepared to dump the PDP and would not live to see a fallen Party.
He therefore, pleaded with all aggrieve party faithful that whatever happens, they must not abandon the ship. Mark counseled that in finding solution to the crisis rocking the ruling party, the opposing groups to lay the cards on the table honestly and objectively.
His words, “Even if you have a knife in my head, I will stand for justices, fairness and equity. We are stronger and better as one big, strong and united party. We need to work together and make our democracy sustainable,” Senator Mark told his guests.
On the threat issued by Bamanga Tukur that any elected member of the party that identify with the rebel would have his seat declared vacant, Mark said the National assembly will not succumb to such threat.
According to him, the law makers elected on the platform of the party will remain united and cohesive, saying that what makes for the good of the nation and her citizens would be their watch word.
To this end, he maintained that the leadership of the National Assembly has no intention to declare any seat of the senators or House of Representative members vacant on account of the crisis hoping that the issues would be resolved amicably soon.
