•Bukola Saraki
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has praised the successful outcome of the just concluded National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held yesterday, declaring it as a “No Victor, No Vanquished” situation and a victory for Nigeria’s democracy and the Party.
Recall that controversies had initially threatened the commencement of the NEC meeting after members arrived at the Wadata Plaza venue of the meeting but were found under lock and key, with a detachment of armed policemen at the gate stopping the PDP members from gaining access to the premises.
The 100th PDP NEC later held with the Committee reinstating Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, reports Daily Independent.
Saraki, in a statement issued immediately after, praised the members of the PDP NEC, who, according to him, chose to “march forward into greater heights” rather than bring the Party to a breaking point in what was its historic 100th meeting.
In showering encomiums on the peaceful conduct of the NEC members, Saraki, who in May was appointed by PDP Governors as the Chairman of a seven-man PDP Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, meant to reconcile warring party members, stated: “Today, there was no victor and no vanquished. The winner today is the PDP. Another winner is Nigeria’s democracy because, without a vibrant opposition, democracy dies. Again, millions of our party members and supporters, who are located in all the 774 LGAs across the country also emerged winners.
“To achieve victory for the party and the great people under its golden umbrella, all the leaders at the meeting resolved to jettison our differences and rally together to pursue a common goal: forget the past, rebuild trust that might have been broken, and give peace a chance.
“I am particularly happy about the meeting for two reasons. One, we all agreed on the need for unity as a way of sending a signal to the entire nation that PDP can only wax stronger. This is because we have to live up to the expectations of the generality of our people as the only alternative, capable of providing good leadership to our country. Two, the spirit of give and take dominated our frank discussions.
Speaking further, the former Kwara State governor, outlined for the PDP leaders to build on the gains of the successful NEC meeting ahead of its next NEC meeting scheduled for next month, as well as the Party’s National Convention later in the year.
He said: “From this point, we need to continue working further for unity, co-operation, and stability towards the next NEC meeting fixed for July 23rd. After that, we will focus on having a hitch-free National Convention.”
The Waziri of Ilorin also heaped praises on the leaders of the PDP who, during the meeting, had to shift ground to ensure a successful outcome.
“As the chairman of the National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee set up by the PDP Governors Forum in May, I want to appreciate all our leaders, particularly, those who have to make huge sacrifice by conceding their earlier stands on some contending issues as a way of achieving peace, unity and stability in the party. I thank all our leaders who chose to act in the interest of the party, even at the expense of their personal and partisan comfort. Overall, all glory be to almighty Allah for taking us this far.
“The success of today’s NEC meeting is an indication that we have made some progress. We will continue to strive to strengthen the party and I am sure from now on, all hands will be on deck to achieve this noble purpose. We need to realise one fact: there is still a lot of work to be done. The spirit with which we achieved the peace today should be sustained from now on.
“It is good that we have disappointed the pessimists. I hope that with the outcome of today’s meeting, we have disproved the false propaganda being circulated in some quarters that those of us who chose to remain in PDP are only scheming for the death of the party as opposed to building a strong opposition.
“If this false narrative were true, the leaders who shifted positions to give peace a chance would have chosen an alternative course of action. However, we are determined to make the party a strong opposition, capable of winning the next general election and serving our people better. We only need to forge ahead along these lines.
“Once again, I thank all our leaders and the numerous members of this great party for their efforts.”
