PDP crisis: We are ready for reconciliation, says Turaki

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“I am not saying there are no good elements on both sides whose sole intention is to protect peace in this country. I am saying some people are fighting for this party to fail. From last night, these two elements have been identified and fleshed out in the discussions between the two sides.

“Matters in court continue. Even as I speak, there are cases filed by both parties, including appeals at the Court of Appeal. Some appeals have been filed by them, others by us, though some have not been taken.

“As a senior lawyer, I can say that the best judges would advise parties to explore out-of-court settlements whenever possible. In Nigeria, once parties go to court, more issues emerge, and relationships rarely recover.

“We have chosen the path of peace in the overall interest of party members, particularly our teeming supporters who want PDP to remain an effective platform for the forthcoming elections.

“As soon as we reach agreeable terms, which we will honour even in the Court of Appeal, we will willingly withdraw all cases—whether at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, or elsewhere—to give peace a chance. All cases will give way to peace as soon as we reach that point.

 On the issue of compromise, we are willing to bend as far as our necks and backs allow. We are ready to make all sorts of sacrifices in the overall interest of the party. PDP will not die.

“Everything possible will be done to make this reconciliation work because nothing is impossible. Issues such as attendance at the convention are among those to be discussed. Once these matters are deliberated, the parties and delegates will decide whether the convention needs to continue. These issues are on the table and will be considered carefully.

“I want to assure you that something unique about PDP is our resilience. We have internal shock absorbers that allow us to come together and resolve differences in a family manner, without giving room for outside speculation. For PDP to have survived as the only legacy party since 1990 demonstrates something special and unique about us. These unique features will be deployed to reunite PDP’s family.

“I want to assure Nigerians that PDP is alive and all hope is not lost. To add context, when the chairman referred to the limits of our wealth and debt, of course, the party constitution defines those limits. Anything outside the constitution is beyond the limit.

“The PDP is an opposition party, and surviving as an opposition party requires adherence to legality and functionality within that framework.”

He said, “In obedience to the advisory of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, a few weeks ago, that parties in the suit should explore reconciliation to save the party from further strife and provide a platform for aspirants to seek elective offices in the coming elections, the Board of Trustees of the party, led Sen. Adolphus Wabara, constituted a high-powered committee to interface with our estranged party members, with a view to resolving outstanding issues and repositioning the party for the elections.

“In furtherance of this, the National Working Committee immediately issued a notice postponing the National Executive Committee and National Caucus meetings earlier scheduled to be held two days later, as a demonstration of good faith. We also de-escalated combative communication on all fronts.

“While we expected a reciprocal gesture, what we have witnessed instead is the weaponisation of hurtful rhetoric and the issuance of derogatory statements. Notwithstanding, we remain mindful of the far-reaching implications of this dispute, particularly within the tight timelines of the extant Electoral Act.

“We therefore call on the leadership of the other group to act in the overall interest of our numerous party members who look to our platform to pursue elective offices.

“I can unequivocally confirm that, as of today, leaders on both sides have broken the ice and are exploring various pathways towards a lasting resolution.

“We urge our supporters across the board to immediately de-escalate high-tempered communications and actions, so as not to jeopardise the ongoing peace efforts.

“To all aspirants who have stood with us thus far, we assure you that, by the grace of God, our party will field candidates for all elective offices, in compliance with Article 6(2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“We also sincerely appreciate Nigerians across the country who have continued to show interest in our party and have registered via our e-registration platform, www.iampdp.org. Despite recent challenges, the faith of our core supporters remains unshaken. It is for them that we are making every effort to resolve the issues before us.

“As we are aware, democracy is not merely about the periodic conduct of elections; it also requires a virile opposition and an active civil society to hold the government accountable.

“As Nigeria’s only surviving legacy party in the current republic, with the rare privilege of having led this country for 16 years, we remain committed to defending and consolidating our democracy, even as an opposition party.

“We call on those in authority to remain conscious that they are delegates of the people, and that their actions must, at all times, align with the will of the people. Ultimate power resides with the people; it must therefore remain the centrepiece of governance.”

He said the National Working Committee voted a vote of confidence on Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde for their resilience and steadfast leadership in the face of recent challenges.

“Let me end by reassuring Nigerians that the PDP is alive and will participate in the forthcoming elections, offering a credible platform for robust political contests at all levels, so that power may truly return to the people.”