The peace process to resolve the lingering political crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is on course, former President, Dr.Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has declared.
His statement Friday reassuring confused members may not be unconnected with conflicting signals that have filled the public space over what transpired at the meeting he held with contending forces fighting for the soul of the opposition party, which is enmeshed in litigations over the coveted seat of National Chairman.
While an appeal court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has declared Senator Ali Modu Sheriff Chairman of the party, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee and other stakeholders have proceeded to the Supreme Court to seek to upturn the judgment of the lower court.
In his statement Friday, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan commended members and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their unreserved support for the on-going efforts towards resolving the differences in the party.
A statement issued on his behalf by his Media Adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, also said that ex-President Jonathan urged them to ignore rumours and false information being passed off as the outcome of the continuing dialogue, stressing that the former President would address the public on the positive outcome of the consultations, at the appropriate time.
Below are the details of the statement:
“We have observed that since the meeting between former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last Tuesday, in continuation of the mediation efforts embarked upon by the ex-President, the media space has been inundated with clearly off-the-mark speculations, presenting often contradictory perspectives on the on-going consultations towards resolving the issues in the PDP.
“We wish to urge the public and well-meaning PDP members to ignore such misleading conjectures as they are obviously the handiwork of those who do not wish the party well, and are therefore not happy with the current reconciliation efforts.
“The fact that the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, promptly addressed journalists at the end of the meeting, to the effect that an agreement was reached on seeking a political solution in resolving the differences in the party, clearly showed that there was no ambiguity in messaging.
“It is obvious that those behind the misleading publications have failed to achieve their aim, as the former President has seamlessly continued with the consultations and reconciliatory meetings. It is instructive to note that since the meeting of last Tuesday with the Governors, ex-President Jonathan has also met with many other key leaders of the party, including the Chairman, Board of Trustee (BOT) Sen. Walid Jibrin, deputy Senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu,
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi, in line with his resolve to carry all the organs of the party along.
“There is no doubt that the statesmanship evident in the former President’s reconciliation efforts precludes his laying preconditions, as is deliberately being misrepresented by a section of the media.
“We hereby reiterate that the former President is determined to continue on this path of inclusive dialogue, by working with the Governors, the Board of Trustees (BOT), members of the NationalNAssembly and other key stakeholders, until the internal dispute is finally resolved.
“Again, we urge the public and loyal party members to continue to support the peace process and not to listen to rumours, as ex-President Jonathan will address them on the positive outcome of the consultations, at the appropriate time.
Signed
Ikechukwu Eze
Media Adviser to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
