PDP leaders react to Makarfi’s victory at the Supreme Court

Reacting Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says the Supreme Court judgment on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leadership crisis, ushers in a new dawn of peace, reconciliation, and recovery for the party.
Ekweremadu said it was a no victor and no vanquished situation for individual party members, but rather a collective victory for the entire party faithful and the nation’s democracy.
He said: “I am happy that the Supreme Court has brought this protracted leadership tussle to an end today. There is no victor and there is no vanquished, but a collective victory for our party and the nation’s democracy. No democracy can prosper in the absence of a virile opposition or under the extreme hardship Nigerians have faced over the past two years. Citizens deserve a viable alternative.
“The ruling party has indeed profited from the prolonged power contest, not just in terms of defections, but also in the unchallenged degeneration of democratic values, rule of law, electoral practice, and the economy because the PDP has been too distracted to keep them on their toes.
“But, it is heart-warming that calm is returning after the storm. I salute millions of our party faithful and Nigerians who stood firm to weather the storm for their courage and loyalty, and sincerely appeal to those who left for one reason or the other to return to our big political family.
“Importantly, I call on our party leadership and elders to immediately initiate an all-inclusive peace, reconciliation, and rebuilding process to reunite everybody under the big umbrella and reinvigorate the biggest party in Africa to bounce back to the rescue of the suffering masses of Nigeria come 2019”.
Former President of the Senate and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT), Senator David Mark, described the Supreme Court verdict on the leadership crisis that have bedeviled the Party as no victor no vanquished.
He said in all, it is the party that won.
He acknowledged that the legal battle would have been avoided if some of the gladiators heeded wise counsel but was pleased to note that the matter has come to an end and the party is back as one family.
Senator Mark counseled members of the party to put the issue behind them and reenact the indomitable spirit of the PDP as a strong and formidable family it has been known for since its inception.
“The disagreement between both side of the divide was a needed elixir for the unity of the party to face the challenges ahead,” he stressed.
He was optimistic that useful lessons have been learnt which will put the party in a better stead for future electoral victories.
He stressed: “now we know the authentic leader of our party. It is no longer in doubt that PDP still has the credible and defined road map for the socio-political and economic recovery of our nation”.
Media Assistant to Senator David Mark Speaking through his media adviser, Mr. Jacob Edi, former Kogi Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, said It is a victory for democracy, adding that truth will always prevail no matter how long it takes.
“For Nigeria to move ahead we must continue to toe the path of truth.
“Once again our confidence in the judiciary has been rekindled as the only hope of the oppressed. ”
The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah described the judgment as heartwarming and a step in the right direction.
Obuah in a statement in Port Harcourt called on members of the party to work for the unity, peace and corporate existence of the party, using the judgment of the Supreme Court as an instrument of strength.
He said the judgment which has formally sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the PDP has ushered the party into a new dawn, stressing the PDP will benefit more as a united party.
Bro. Obuah who cautioned against utterances capable of threatening the peace and unity of the party, said this is particularly because the PDP remains the cynosure of hope, following the failure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to meet the expectation of Nigerians.
According to the Rivers PDP Chairman, “We should be able to live together in peace and harmony; and must all be advocates of genuine peace”.
He went on, “I whole heartedly celebrate with the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led National Working Committee (NWC) on the victory at the Supreme Court.  I also salute the apex court for its dispassionate judgment”.
The judgment, according to Bro. Obuah has brought to an end a protracted leadership crisis that rocked the party.
The Rivers PDP Chairman also congratulated Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for standing firm in his quest for a united, peaceful and progressive PDP ahead of the 2019 General Election.
Bro. Obuah appealed to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to join hands with Senator Ahmed Markafi to move the PDP forward, adding that the party now remains the only platform to enthrone genuine change for Nigerians.