PDP Crisis: My Job’s Done, Says Reconciliation Committee Chairman, Oyinlola
Amidst growing tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the chairman of the party’s National Reconciliation Committee, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has said the committee has reconciled feuding members of the National Working Committee, NWC
He made this announcement shortly after a meeting with members of the NWC in Abuja, on Tuesday.
In response to a question about what transpired during the meeting, Oyinlola said, “The outcome of today’s meeting is that, to the glory of God, we have been able to resolve the differences that have been causing our party some headache within the National Working Committee.
“We thank God that we have been able to open up to ourselves and resolve to move on as a United National Working Committee which is what we needed for the progress of our party, the People’s Democratic Party.
“The issues resolved are the differences that have permitted the Ran ka fal of the National Working Committee. I cannot be itemizing them for you.”
Asked whether the coast was now clear for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday, he said, “That wasn’t part of our discussion and I’m not in a position to talk about NEC meeting.
“I’m the chairman National Reconciliation Committee, there were differences in the National Working Committee and that I have done and my job is finished.”
Those who attended Tuesday’s meeting include: the Ag. National Chairman, Umar Damagum. Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, National Treasurer, Yayari Ahmed, Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeeq Arapaja, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, a member of the Reconciliation Committee, Otumba Segun Showumi among others.
Recall, the PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum and the National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade.
In response, Ologunagba and Ajibade suspended Damagum and Anyanwu. This led to a stalemate which was broken by the PDP Governors Forum.
Chairman of the PDP-GF, Governor Bala Mohammed had after a meeting with the feuding party leaders called for a cease-fire and a return to the status quo.
However, uncertainty persists as some persons believed to be acting at the behest of Governor Bala Mohammed, are said to have filed a lawsuit seeking to compel the party to hold its National Executive Council (NEC), meeting on Thursday, October 24th as scheduled.
The five-count suit which was reportedly filed on Tuesday, at a Zamfara Federal High Court, had the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first and second respondents respectively.
As contained in the suit, the plaintiffs are asking the court to restrain the Damagum-led NWC from postponing the NEC meeting.