…As Fubara assures that Rivers remains a PDP State
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has declared that the Party is scared of losing Rivers State.
Wabara, a former President of the Senate, whole a delegation of the members of the BoT of the Party on a visit to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, said that if that truly happens, the future of Nigeria will be truly lost, with no abiding hope in Nigerians anymore.
This was as Governor Fubara debunked speculations in certain quarters of his dumping the PDP, stressing that the State remains that of the PDP.
Fubara said that it was important to clarify the position to discountenance unfounded rumours being peddled in some quarters that he has left the PDP.
Fubara, who reaffirmed his position when he received a delegation of the Board of Trustees (BoTs) of the PDP, led by its Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, at Government House, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, explained that as was normally expected, he doubted his membership of the PDP at some time, adding however that the visitation by members of the BoT has offered a stronger conviction that he is a member of the PDP family.
He said, “I want to thank the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees. Honestly speaking, if I was having any doubt about my membership of this great party, I think today, I have gotten a reconfirmation that I am still, not minding the drama around, a member of this party.
“And, I want to thank you for taking all the troubles to come to Rivers State to see the Governor and the supporters of the party, genuinely. I need to use that word, genuinely, because we, that are here, are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), undiluted.
“For once, I am happy to see the leaders, among whom are some founding fathers of the PDP, like Chief Bode George, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, joining the delegation here to talk about the unity of the party,” he said.
He noted their courage, sacrifices and foresight when they sat down, crafted the Constitution of the PDP that they so named, nurtured to become what people have come to know of it and greatly benefited.
Fubara further said; “It doesn’t matter the number of people who watered it (PDP) and it became what it is. I am happy that today, they are with us here and to discuss the issue of Rivers State.
“I want to assure members of our party, genuine members of PDP that are here with us, that this is another hope to show that our decision to stand by the party, still standing by the party, is not a wrong decision,” he said.
Fubara also said that the visit by the BoT delegation is to ascertain what the problem that caused so much dissatisfaction and tearing down the party, how it started and how it degenerated to what it is today.
The Governor said in such efforts to search out the truth, it was also vital for them to understand how passionately he cherishes the importance of information and the need to stay on the path of truth.
Fubara said: “I am very conscious of the importance of information. I know that a lot of information are flying here and there. But, I also know that whatever I have said anywhere, I have still maintained that position.
“What I have said in Abuja is the same thing I say in Port Harcourt. If I have had any encounter with anybody in Lagos, I don’t think my story would have changed.
“So, for the people outside carrying all sorts of rumours and propaganda, at least, this visit will put those propaganda to rest, and to tell the world that we are and we still remain members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he stated.
Speaking earlier, the PDP Chairman of BoT Senator Wabara, explained that they visited as the conscience of the party in search of peace and unity because of the ungodly tension in recent times that has threatened the PDP in Rivers State.
Wabara said: “We, the Board of Trustees of this party, came here in search of peace and unity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“We have been reading all kinds of things on the pages of newspapers and the Internet, for those who are Internet savvy. But, we, as elders of this great party decided to come to hear from the horse’s mouth.
“First of all, we want to thank you for still being there because this party should not be allowed to die. And, it is for this very reason that I am thanking you, on behalf of my colleagues, and as you can see, it’s not from one geo-political zone. We are well represented nationally.
“We were scared Sir, when we heard or read speculations, perceptions or what have you, that the party, if we are not careful, might lose Rivers State. Of course, if we loose Rivers State, Nigeria has lost its future.
“We don’t want what happened in 2015, and 2023 to repeat itself. These men and women you see here are very neutral. But as the conscience of the party, we must go by the rule of law. And anything you do, going by the rule of law, can never be wrong. It may be delayed, but it cannot be wrong,” Wabara stressed.
The BoT Chairman said that Governor Fubara has demonstrated enormous care for the PDP, which is why he has been so patient with the inactivity of the party leadership amidst the crisis.
According to Wabara; “I don’t want to describe it. Otherwise, as a Governor, we have former Governors here, I doubt if they would have taken as much as you have. So, on behalf of this party, once again, let me thank you for your resilience, your wisdom, and for the fact that you are still in this party.
“And to assure you that the Board of Trustees under my watch and with these serious minded Nigerians, will deal with the matter as constitutionally allowed,” he assured.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting with Governor Fubara and other elders and leaders of the PDP in Rivers State, Senator Wabara expressed appreciation to the Governor for giving them the opportunity to hear his own side of the story, and expressed optimism that the political crisis in the State will soon be resolved.
Wabara said his delegation will meet with the other party in the crisis to also hear from them, saying that there is always two sides to a coin, adding that it is better late than never.
He reiterated that the PDP under his watch as BOT Chairman, will not allow what happened in 2015 and 2023 to repeat, and will not, therefore, stand helplessly while the largest party in Africa is destroyed by few individuals.
Wabara said that based on its findings, the BOT will make recommendations to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP for implementation, bearing in mind that the party must be united to win the 2027 elections.
