Makarfi takes PDP reconciliatory meeting to National Assembly

 

                                              Makarfi

The National Caretaker Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s National Assembly Caucus met Wednesday in Abuja to further the reconciliatory moves in the embattled party.

While the PDP Caretaker Committee chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi led his team, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, led the party’s National Assembly caucus to the meeting which held at the National Assembly.

The meeting led to a vote of confidence on Makarfi and his team as moved by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and seconded by House of Representative Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor.

Senator Ekweremadu flagged off the parley congratulated Makarfi and his team on their appointment.

He reminded committee that the PDP is now at an important time in history that required the ingenuity of all members to rebuild the fortunes of party.

He added that the party had had its fair share of ups and downs “but Nigerians expect much from us.

He pledged the total loyalty of all members of the caucus to the Caretaker committee to ensure its success.

Akpabio on his part noted that Nigerians who watched what transpired at the party’s convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital saw the selection and appointment of the Caretaker committee was unanimous.

He said, “Our party selected the Caretaker Committee and made you, Your Excellency, Makarfi, chairman of the committee. There was no election. The party has the absolute power to inaugurate any committee.

“You have the power to do anything that will ensure the acceptability of our party by Nigerians. There is no division in PDP, the party is one. What happened in our great party was a storm in a tea cup. We are proud of what you have done to reposition the party.

“For you to have decided to come and consult with the representatives of the Nigerian people, you have done well. We don’t have Villa, the National Assembly is the Villa of the PDP, you have done well. We will support you 100 per cent to ensure that PDP is fully accepted back.”

Hon. Ogor reminded Makarfi that the task before him aimed at rebuilding the party is enormous.

The House of Representatives minority leader further reminded Makarfi that one of his major tasks is to lead the party to a successful convention.

He added, “We in the House of Representatives pledge our loyalty and assure you that we will be with you day and night to ensure that you succeed. The responsibility is that come 2019, Nigerians will be given the government after their heart. Nigerians have already seen the difference between what and black.”

Makarfi said that the doctrine of necessity came to play once again at the PDP convention in Port Harcourt.

He noted that faced with the challenge of bringing harmony and peace to the party, PDP stakeholders had to take certain decisions in Port Harcourt.

Makarfi said that the Caretaker Committee was inaugurated to heal the wound in the party as well as to bring peace and unity of purpose to the fold.

He said, “Responsibilities were put on our shoulders. We are not representing any bloc of interest; we are representing PDP, we are here for PDP, we are here for Nigerians.”

Makarfi said that on Monday, they attended a meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) where they made useful contributions.

He noted that to have attended a meeting convened by the electoral umpire was indication that peace has returned to the PDP.

“We are here to say thank you for the roles you played to get us on board. We also ask other members of our great party who may still be aggrieved to join us to rebuild our party. Politics is about the will of the people, the will of the majority. If today stakeholders in our party say we should stay aside, we will stay aside. We have come to tell you that our doors are open all the time,” Makarfi said.