BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Despite the festering crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former President Goodluck Jonathan says the nation’s main opposition party remains alive, strong, and resilient.
While acknowledging that the lingering internal divisions have taken a huge toll on the party, Dr Jonathan, however, maintained that the PDP remains a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s democracy which must be protected by all well-meaning and lovers of democratic rule in the country.
He said as the only surviving original political party since 1998, it is unfortunate that members have allowed ongoing and worsening internal conflicts to tear PDP and further derail it from the original ideals of the founding fathers.
The former President, who spoke during a high-level consultative meeting held at his private office in Abuja on Tuesday with members of the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by its National Chairman, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), said the PDP possesses the historical resilience and institutional strength required to overcome its current internal challenges.
With focus on the ongoing reconciliation process and strategic repositioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dr. Jonathan described PDP as a national institution and not just a mere political platform where individuals use to achieve their selfish political ambitions.
According to him: “The PDP, being the only surviving original political party since 1998, has been a critical contributor to our democracy since 1999. I have been a beneficiary of this party, which gave me the opportunity to serve as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, and President.
“I am grateful to the party and will continue to contribute my quota because I feel deeply indebted to it.”
Urging the party’s leadership to place national interest and institutional development above personal considerations, he said strong political parties are essential for democratic stability and progress in the country.
In his remarks, the National Chairman, Turaki assured the former President that the current PDP leadership is committed to a comprehensive “Rebirth Agenda” aimed at rebuilding and strengthening the party going forward.
Turaki said the party, under his leadership, is ever ready to embrace reconciliation through dialogue instead of litigation, explaining that compelling circumstances made it imperative for the PDP to defend itself in court after being sued by certain aggrieved members.
However, the Chairman pledged that the leadership remains committed to reuniting the contending forces once the ongoing legal disputes are effectively resolved by the party.
An insider at the meeting told Forefront News that the Turaki-led NWC members, including some State PDP chairmen, arrived at Jonathan’s office at 6pm and issues around the party’s leadership and national interest were central in the discussions between both sides.
Importantly, the NWC members solicited the wise counsel and support of the former President in their ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis and reposition the party for efficiency ahead of he 2027 general elections.
The PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis with two men claiming to be the party’s national chairman.
While Abdulrahman Mohammed is being backed by the camp loyal to the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Taminu Turaki is backed by the camps loyal to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde.
