There was a mild drama on Thursday as Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike stormed the venue where members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were meeting.
Wike’s sudden appearance at the meeting must have unsettled the meeting as Governors are not members of the BoT and do not attend the party’s BoT meetings.
The Rivers Governor had walked into the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall where the meeting was being held when the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, was delivering his opening address.
Many eyes turned to behold the arrival of the Governor who promptly took his seat among the attendees.
As of the time of filing this report, it could not be ascertained if the Governor was attending the meeting on the invitation of the BoT.
Spotting a pair of white short-sleeved kaftan with a red Igbo traditional cap, the Governor, who looked visibly agitated, was given the attendance register to sign as soon as he took his seat.
Wike has been at loggerheads with Secondus for the past few months and he is widely believed to be the mastermind of ongoing plots to remove the party chairman from office.
Meanwhile, a former Senate President, David Mark, and 27 other elders have opted to wade in the PDP crisis.
They said they will soon meet with PDP Governors, the Board of Trustees, and the National Working Committee (NWC) to find lasting solutions to the fundamental matters arising.
But they have appealed to all party organs, officers and members to remain calm.
The 28 wise elders made the plea in a statement which they jointly signed in Abuja.
The elders are Mark, ex-Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Adolphus Wabara; former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu; former Deputy Speaker Austin Opara; ex-Minister Jerry Gana; ex-Governors Sule Lamido, Ibrahim Dankwambo, and Olagunsoye Oyinlola; ex-National Chairman, Okwesilieze Nwodo; ex-Ministers Odion Ugbesa and Hajiya Zainab Maina, Senators Biodun Olujimi and Zainab Kure.
Others are a former National Chairman of PDP Sen. Ahmed Makarfi; a former Chief of Staff Mike Ogiadomhe; Senate Minority Leader Eyinnaya Abaribe; Sen. Helen Esuene; Sen. Agboola Hosea and Hajiya Adiza Adodo.
The statement said: “In view of recent developments at the National Secretariat of our great party, we have resolved to issue this press statement urging all party organs, party officers and party members to remain calm, faithful and orderly, as we proceed with urgent consultations and initiatives to resolve the contending issues.
“We wish to firmly reassure aggrieved stakeholders that we intend to be thorough, objective, creative, and balanced in our efforts to find lasting solutions to the fundamental matters arising.
” Towards this end, we have initiated moves to urgently meet with our Governors, the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, and other critical stakeholders. Since we all share the legitimate desires of our loyal members to offer a credible, effective and productive alternative, we have no doubt that we shall soon find positive, appropriate, pragmatic, and lasting solutions to the problems facing the party.
“We shall emerge from this crisis stronger, better, and more united. This is only a temporary challenge.”
The elders assured the PDP will overcome its challenges and provide leadership qualities for Nigerians.
The statement added: “We assure all Nigerians that the Peoples Democratic Party is resolute in providing qualitative leadership, sound programs, effective implementation strategies, and hope generating solutions to our national problems.
” On behalf of the elders and founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party, we wish to use this medium to thank all Party members and supporters across Nigeria and in diaspora for their commitment, loyalty and strong support.”
The Nation