The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reassured all of its members that its initiatives, particularly in Rivers State, are producing the intended effects.
Following an emergency meeting on Wednesday, the PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, also reaffirmed that the party is unified and firmly on the ground in Rivers State and other parts of the country.
The party stated that its NWC, led by Acting Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, is unshakable in providing stable and competent leadership in the face of the All Progressives Congress (APC) purported offensive to crush opposition and impose a one-party state on Nigerians.
Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement.
According to the statement, the NWC has expressed its concern with certain leaders’ reckless behavior and unguarded statements aimed at disparaging crucial organs of the party.
The statement added,
“Of particular reference is the deleterious public statement credited to the former Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency Sule Lamido, which was made apparently with the intent to inject bad blood and drag down our Party for self-seeking motives.
“The NWC has received very disturbing reports that such unscrupulous individuals are recruited by the One-Party-State seeking APC administration to undermine the cohesion that exists within the PDP which will enable it to effectively perform its opposition role for the sustenance of Democracy and the wellbeing of Nigerians.
“It is rather unfortunate that such inexcusable conducts, comments, utterances and betrayals are coming from individuals who have benefitted immensely from the PDP but who have the record and notoriety of brazenly betraying the Party in various elections and at slightest opportunity for their selfish interests.
“It is instructive to state that some of the challenges that plagued our Party in the recent past and those confronting it at the moment are traceable to the comments, utterances and actions of these unpatriotic individuals which are inconsistent with the opportunity that the Party gave them in the past.
“The minimum that Nigerians and indeed members of the PDP expect from such leaders is to show appreciation and commitment to the Party and the nation by engaging in constructive suggestions that will be in the interest of our Party and Nigerians with regard to good governance and not to engage in actions that undermine the genuine efforts being made by the leadership of the Party which may not be in line with their selfish political venture and expectations.
“These leaders must understand and recognize that their actions and utterances are not only inimical to the wellbeing of Nigerians but also in gross violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP, especially Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the Constitution of the PDP.”
The statement noted that the NWC resolved that it will henceforth not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary action against such individuals in line with the provisions of the party’s Constitution.