The National Youth Leader of the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Timi Frank has said that the only condition for resolution of the crisis rocking the ruling party is for President Goodluck Jonathan to meet the demands of the leadership of the ‘New PDP’.
He insisted that should the President failed to meet their demands within stipulated time, the Abubakar Baraje-led New PDP would unveil its next plan of action, adding that they would not betray the trust of the Nigerian people.
The Youth Leader took a swipe at the Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, saying it was wrong for him to attempt to hoodwink party members to believe that a truce was in sight, while knowing that the truth remained that except some sacrifices were made by the President and his allies, it would be practically difficult for the crisis to be over.
He stated, “The truth remains that the crisis in the PDP is far from over. While there has been ongoing talks, it would be wrong for persons, who in the first place instigated this crisis to begin to play to the gallery. The truth remains that options are open but definitely the crisis is far from over, more so that we have noticed that even in the middle of discussions, there seem to be shifting of goal posts,”.
Mr. Frank who is also a Niger Delta youth leader from Bayelsa State, said it was regrettable that information made available suggests that attempts were being made to hound up members of the New PDP in Some states like Bayelsa, saying such practice will only aggravate the crisis.
His words, “Report just coming in indicates that some members of the New PDP in Bayelsa State are being haunted for identifying with the party, with the new PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt been sealed off by police. I dare say that if this is the case, then it would be a grievous mistake as actions like this will only worsen matters, and therefore urging the Nigeria Police to concentrate on security issues and kidnappings ravaging the country instead of joining in internal political matters.
“The constitution of the Federal Republic is clear as it relates to freedom of association, more even as regards the factionalisation of a party even as stated by INEC. It would therefore, amount to outright breach of the constitution as well as abuse of the rule of law and denial of fundamental human rights for persons to be haunted or arrested based on the current crisis in the PDP. We shall resist such attempts as they are simply barbaric,” the youth leader said.
While urging security agencies to remain neutral, Frank enjoined party stalwarts, supporters and indeed Nigerians to remain steadfast in the bid to enthrone a new order and instill internal democracy within the ruling party.
