New PDP moves secretariat to Adamawa Gov’s Lodge

FOLLOWING the siege mounted to its national secretariat in Maitama District, Abuja and the failure of security agencies to vacate the premises, the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said  it will not engage security agencies in confrontation, but toe the path of peace by pursing the matter in court.

Temporarily, the party said it would commence entertaining solidarity visits and granting audience to its teeming members and associates at the Adamawa State Governors Lodge, situated at 2, Gurara Street, Maitama, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement released on Wednesday and signed by its national secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who also assured its supporters ot his faction’s resolve to continue to pursue its legitimate course of promoting a party that was constructed on true and tested democratic ideals, justice, fair play and respect for the rule of law.

“The Baraje-led PDP would not be provoked or deterred by actions detrimental to its existence, including the unlawful occupation of its national headquarters by security agencies that have prevented the Baraje-led PDP from moving into its offices located in Maitama District, Abuja.

“The Baraje-led PDP, in accordance with its belief in justice, fair play and the rule of law, had, in pursuit of remedies, approached the courts that directed both the Baraje and Bamanga Tukur factions to maintain the status quo,” it said, adding that the pronouncement of Justice Elias Chukwu on the matter was “clear, unambiguous and simple enough to avoid unnecessary rigmarole and arrogant display of power.”

The faction added that “we will not be deterred and no amount of intimidation and calculated attempts to frustrate our legitimate goal of participating in the democratic processes in our dear country would stop us from contributing our quota to national development.”

Reasons we have not agreed to New PDP’s demands -Presidency
It has been disclosed that the demands by the New PDP were yet to be met, as they went against the constitution of the country and that of PDP.

The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, confirmed that the demands were unconstitutional, but assured that the ongoing talks with the splinter group were yielding positive fruits.

He spoke after Tuesday’s meeting between President Jonathan and some governors of the splinter group.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents on the meetings, Gulak said “both parties are being made to understand what are involved,” but did not give details.

He said “leaders are discussing. This issue (crisis) with PDP is not uncommon, they are not unexpected.

“We are on peace course, we are discussing some of the demands that you media men are speculating.

“These demands were not in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and certain demands were not be in accordance with the party’s constitution.

“What we are saying is that the elders are talking. We are talking in accordance with the law of the land and of the party. So we are on peace course.”

Group wants Jonathan to listen to Atiku, Baraje
A group, The Grand Alliance for Truth and Conscience (GATC), has urged President Jonathan and other relevant stakeholders to address the grievances of the New PDP, with a view to resolving the crisis that had bedevilled the party.

The group, in making the appeal, noted that it was obvious that the promoters of the splinter group, including the former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the state governors, were marginalised in the party’s contentious special convention in Abuja, which aggravated the tension in the party, leading to the walkout that snowballed into the factionalisation of the party.

President of the group, Chief Chris Orjiakor, told the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja that the world was watching to see how the gladiators would resolve what he described as time bomb threatening the foundations of the country’s democracy.

“The Grand Alliance for Truth and Conscience is worried over the leadership tussle in the PDP which resulted to the formation of the New PDP led by former Vice President Abubakar and Barage.

“Political disagreement and opposition are the bedrock of sustainable democracy, but should not be allowed to disturb the peace and good governance of the nation,” it said.

“It is democracy in action and will strengthen the ruling party ahead of 2015 presidential election if amicably resolved.