By: Akeem Oyetunji The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leaving no stone unturned to halt defection of members in the House of Representatives and to woo back if not all, some of the 37 members that have defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ruling party’s national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, Tuesday night led members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and governors to a crucial meeting with the House of Representatives Caucus at the National Assembly Complex.
In attendance were Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and his Deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, House Leader, Mulikat Adeola-Akandeand other Principal Officers.
The Governors present were: Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers, Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Saidu Dankingari (Kebbi), Theodore Orji (Abia State), Garba Umar (Taraba ag gov), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Deputy Governor of Kogi State and Deputy Governor of Jigawa State.
Surprisingly, Governors Peter Obi of Anambra and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo made brief appearance at the meeting that ought to be for PDP members.
They both came in with their Akwa Ibom counterpart, Godswil Akpabio, suggesting that the meeting might have something to do with how to neutralize the powers of the APC in the House.
Speaking with newsmen before the meeting went into closed doors session, Governor Akpabio, said the outcome would determine the exit or return of some members in 2015.
He said, “The outcome of this meeting will determine to a large extent the return or exit of some of you, because, your governors are here since you don’t relate much with your governors and get disconnected from state functions.
But, this meeting would straighten all that out. Whatever is decided here would become the Abuja accord”.
But, the House Leader, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, sought automatic return tickets for all members, saying that was the agreement reached in the past with the leadership of the party.
According to her, “Members of this party in the House would want to be assured of automatic ticket in the forthcoming elections and the opportunity to nominate membership of various committees in their constituencies when the need arises”.
However, the PDP national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu who presided over the meeting which started at 9.00pm, had this to say, “”It’s a pity that things have gone the way they have gone.
“The disconnect between the party and the members of the House will be a thing of the past. If the party gave you a platform, you owe it a responsibility to remain in the party,” he said.
