SAN FRANCISCO, September 20, (THEWILL) – The leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Friday that it was not afraid of the new faction of the party led by Alhaji Kawu Baraje.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said taking into consideration the utterances of the new faction, PDP leaders are wisely decided on the path of caution and decorum, stressing that the path of decorum taken does not in any way suggest that the ruling party is afraid of the consequences of doing otherwise.
The statement read: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a critical look at the implications of cascading developments arising from the challenges posed by the actions and utterances of our estranged brothers in our membership.
“We have seriously, taken into account, steps taken as well as the gravity of utterances credited to our brothers, especially in the wake of our last reconciliation meeting. We therefore wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that the fact that our leaders are wisely decided on the path of caution and decorum, does not in any way suggest that we are afraid of the consequences of doing otherwise. We have only applied a common African wisdom that yes, we have the strength of a lion but better, when not applied needlessly.
“As leaders of our great Party, we have implicit faith that the present challenges facing us will be amicably resolved, hence our commitment to caution and decorum in order to avoid jeopardizing the peace process and fall prey to those who do not wish the PDP well.
“The constitution of the PDP has adequately laid down procedures for the settlement of disputes. We therefore hold that it is absolutely unnecessary to make a public theatre of these challenges and the process of resolving them. Unwarranted utterances and actions are only capable of generating further ill feelings.
“The provisions of the constitution of our great party must therefore be held sacrosanct by all members. We the leaders, even have a greater responsibility to show worthy examples.
“Similarly, Party members ought not carry on as if hierarchy of leadership amounts to nothing. We have a President who is the leader and the symbol of our great party in government. We also have the Chairman of Board of Trustees as well as former Presidents who have volunteered efforts to the peaceful resolution of these family challenges. We owe them every respect in their determination to achieve genuine reconciliation among us.
“While we concede that some of the leaders of this estranged group are notable members of the PDP, the same cannot be said of vacuous quantities who are bereft of the core values of PDP and are unknown to the ranks of different levels of our great party, but to whom photo-opportunity has been provided to flaunt nuisance values. To leaders among them, we say once more; this macabre dance is unnecessary.
This grotesque dance in the manner of an avant-garde Nollywood actor will surely satisfy emotions but will incredibly lead to loss of faith and throw up anti-heroes instead of heroes.
“The differences for now remain challenges of interpretation of process, procedures and trust. It must neither be blown out of proportion nor be allowed to obstruct the cause and course of good governance. We must bear in mind that what makes or mars our strength is our ultimate performance as a ruling party. “
