Stop fighting,Goodluck Tells PDP Members

Former President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday called on the warring members of the Peoples Democratic Party to sheath their sword and allow for the party to pick up its bits and pieces. former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the State House in Abuja former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the State House in Abuja President Jonathan who spoke when members of the Board of Trustees of the party visited him in his Maitama residence also confirmed Vanguard’s exclusive report that he had been contacted to broker peace between the senator Ahmed Makarfi led national caretaker committee and the senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction. According to the former president, “I have been talking to individuals (members of the party) but not in a way that is exposed to media but I believe I should do more. “Unfortunately we have been challenged, but I don’t think you should be discouraged. Challenges are part of life; even in families there are challenges. There are challenges even in the church more than what may be happening at political level. So you should not be discouraged, and I believe, collectively, we can solve it” he said. The former president revealed that he had been receiving regular briefings on the state of affairs of the party since he left office from the BoT Chairman, Senator Jibrin Walid, and commended him and other members of the board for their role in stabilising the PDP, as ‎conscience of the party. “This should not be beyond us but I believe that collectively, we can resolve it. Any sincere PDP member should know that PDP is bigger than an individual. And many members have sacrificed their interest for the party,” he observed. Jonathan regretted the conflicting court orders that have continued to worsen the crisis and further called on party members to sheath their swords for the interest of the party. The chairman of the BoT‎, Senator Jibrin explained that the visit was in recognition of Jonathan’s position as former president, to interact with him and inform him of the state of the party. He said the PDP was undergoing a lot of difficulties and challenges, disclosing that there are about 15 court cases seeking to stop the PDP national convention. “We abide by provisions of the party, article 10 of the constitution, which provides for internal resolution of crisis. This provision is abandoned with various court cases. There is court judgement in Port Harcourt, and there are court judgements and orders in Abuja. “We have realised that we need reconciliation. So many committees have been set up for reconciliation. ‎The BoT decided to form a special committee to pursue reconciliation. Some members of the party are concerned. “That is why we appeal to former president that he be party to the reconciliation; it is your intervention that is very important for a way forward for the party. We have great respect for you despite the fact that you have not been appearing in our activities. “We have embarked on programme of visitations to our founding fathers; we have visited the National Assembly. We are satsifed with level of cooperation between PDP and other members in the National Assembly. They have played the opposition very well and have embarked on policy of issues not on personalities,” Walid told Jonathan. ‎‎He added that despite all that is happening, PDP is alive, stating that “anybody who wants to destroy PDP will not succeed.”