- Ex-VP distances self from plot to unseat Secondus, clarifies Rivers trip
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on PDP leaders to unite for the sake of the party’s interest and the country.
Abubakar made the call in a statement issued by his Media Adviser Paul Ibe in Abuja on Thursday while reacting to the current frictions in the PDP.
Abubakar said that an opposition that is looked up to as an alternative could not afford to be fighting itself and lend its hands to the ruling party for its own destruction.
He urged the party’s faithful to understand that the price of having a fragmented PDP was too high to pay, “but above all, a betrayal to the memories of the founding fathers of the party”.
Abubakar said that he was later involved in reconciliation efforts within the party across the country and had backed reconciliation processes aimed at diffusing tensions in the party.
He called for calm and for combatants to sheath their swords and give the reconciliation mechanisms of the party a chance.
“The PDP is greater than our individual ambitions. We have to consolidate the party first before we talk about our ambitions.
“We have to be careful not to play into the hands of the ruling party.
The former PDP presidential candidate warned that lack of unity and internal cohesion could help the ruling party more than the PDP.
He added that those who wanted Nigerians to continue with the current situation would also be eager to fuel the crisis in the PDP for their political advantage.
To ensure that the PDP does not repeat the mistakes of the past, Abubakar said that all contending issues in the party must be resolved through constitutional means.
The spokesman stated: “It is a beer parlour talk, it is also a mischief. Why will a former Vice President be behind the plot to sack PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus? What will be his interest?
“Someone, who has commenced the process of having conversations with stakeholders of the party on reconciliation. A man, who has encouraged processes aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the party cannot be linked to that kind of plot.
“He made the trip to Port Harcourt, similar one to Delta. And he has more in the offing. Why will he promote peace and stability in the party and be behind moves to sack Secondus? It’s ridiculous for anyone to talk about this.”
Atiku said he understood the PDP Constitution and what the party said about tenure for party leadership, adding that he could not be working against something he understands and promotes.
Also on Wednesday, Secondus met with the aggrieved members of the PDP national leadership and begged them to allow peace to reign.
During a closed-door meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the embattled chair was said to have asked the angry officers to allow the current executive finish together in peace.
The affected officials were said to have asked for more time to meet among themselves and get back to him.
NAN / The Guardian
