Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Kawu Baraje, says the party has put its internal crisis behind it and is now united, following the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
He emphasised that there are “no more fights” within the party, stressing that leaders and members have resolved their differences and are working together with renewed focus to provide credible leadership and an alternative vision for Nigeria.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Baraje acknowledged that internal disputes had long plagued the party, but emphasised that such issues were no longer hidden or surprising to Nigerians.
“The answers are very obvious and not hidden to the public, many of these activities that the PDP has gotten involved in are as a result in the internal challenge that we have so to say that PDP have internal challenges it’s no news.”
“When a group has challenges, you attempt to solve and improvise answers to challenges in your own way.”
Baraje explained that the meeting brought together governors, the National Working Committee (NWC), the Board of Trustees (BoT), and other formal and informal party organs. “The meeting of the governors, the meeting of the NWC members, the meeting of the BoT and other organs of the party, even on formal organs that have been meeting came together yesterday and resolve that out problems are over.”
He also stated that collectively, they agreed to put past grievances behind them and refocus on the goal of delivering credible opposition and good governance. “We have all decided to work for the progress of the party in the interest of providing good governance for the entire people of Nigeria.”
“Yes there were disagreements but in party politicking the spirit of give and take is deeper in PDP than in any group.”
One key resolution from the meeting was the unanimous reinstatement of Distinguished Senator Sam Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, with endorsement from all levels of party leadership. “It’s a continuous process, what we had yesterday was confirmation of NEC meeting that the return of Distinguished Senator Sam Anyanwu to his official state, national secretary is here-by agreed by everyone of the party on every organ of the party without leaving anybody behind.”
While acknowledging that some members still have concerns, Baraje said unity was prioritised to keep the PDP strong and present a viable alternative to Nigerians. “We know some people have some observations and complaints here and there but to keep the party as one and for the sake of providing alternative, a very positive alternative for Nigerians, everybody decided to keep their own grievances and provide solution by co-opening with party.”
He dismissed fears that the party was disintegrating, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to become a one-party state. “We shall continue to ensure that this party, which is the most formidable opposition party in the country, continues to exist because Nigeria cannot avoid a one party state not now and never in the country.”
Baraje also addressed concerns about party discipline, saying disciplinary issues remain internal matters. “The issue of party discipline is any other act of behavior by members, it’s purely, purely internal to any group or to the political party.
“Yes we may have constitutions which laid out what we may refer to as indiscipline for anti-party but the way we tackle it is another thing entirely, if a party tackled it own by washing its lining in public fine, we have others always if carrying out our own disciplinary actions.”
He urged the media to understand the PDP’s approach and report its efforts fairly. “What people see as problem now, you cannot solve such problem in a divided house, the house has to be one and now we are coming to be one.
“Our pleading to the media particularly is to see us as making very positive effort to galvanize an alternative for Nigerians to be able to choose and let’s solve our problem in our own way.”
“What we had yesterday was far from Window dressing, it was genuine and apart from being genuine our efforts are still. We are not just closing the door like that we know the people who have actually demonstrated the spirit of give and take, they need to be reassured ,and reassurances activists actions are still ongoing by the leaders and elders, and what we just seek is the cooperation of everyone of us both members and Nigerians.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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