PDP NWC Cautions Against Fifth Columnists

....Says Its Organs Remain United

The attention of the national leadership of the PDP has been drawn to
reports in the media credited to some members of the party regarding the
on-going ordeal of some of our leaders with the EFCC as well as issues
relating to the position of the National Chairman of our great party.

Indeed, we understand the concerns of our members especially since the
unfortunate electoral setback, its attendant trauma and disagreements
within the party as well as the recent development leading to the
probing of some of our leaders and of course our campaign funding by the
APC-led government.

In the same vein, we have noted the desperation of some opportunistic
and selfish individuals, including those being used by the APC, to draw
political capital from the present challenges facing our party.

However, whereas the PDP remains a platform for all Nigerians to aspire,
we note that that our constitution is clear on the mode of election,
tenure, succession in the case of vacancy, and removal from office of
our officers at all levels. Also the constitution and laws of our
country provide that an individual remains innocent until otherwise
proven by a court of competent jurisdiction.

While we await the judicial determination of the cases involving some of
our leaders at the EFCC, it is important that all party members show
commitment to our rebuilding effort by ensuring utterances that
encourage and unite rather than further discourage and divide our
members. Any thing contrary to this would be playing into the very hands
of those who want to decimate our party, destroy our common destiny as a
people and install a one-party state in our country.

Our earnest attention for now is our on-going rebuilding efforts, the
amendment of our party’s constitution and our scheduled National
Convention in March this year to produce new leaders in line with the
statutory requirements of our great party. All the statutory organs are
aware of the laid out plans by the NWC, which would soon be presented to
them appropriately and accordingly.

Moreover, any person or group which in any way feels aggrieved by any
issue regarding our party should, as responsible party members channel
such through the appropriate internal mechanisms instead of resorting to
dragging our party in the mud in the media. Such, only portrays pursuit
of personal ambition and interest instead of the collective good of our
great party at a critical time as this.

We therefore urge all loyal and dedicated members of the PDP to be at
alert and wary of antics of certain external forces bent at causing
confusion in our great party, all with the aim of ensuing that we do not
unite as a formidable opposition and a government in waiting.

The public and the media are by this made aware of the fact that the PDP
remains a big family despite our temporary electoral setback. Also, our
leadership and statutory organs, the NEC, NWC, Caucus, Board of Trustee,
forum of Governors and caucuses of various legislative houses, are all
united in the common effort to rebuild and reposition the party,
especially with preparations for our National Convention in March.

Signed:

Prof. Adewale Oladipo
National Secretary