The National Reconciliation Committee of the People’s Democratic Party led by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson òf Bayelsa State has started in earnest a holistic process of reconciliation within the party as a fall out of the party’s December 9, 2017 National Convention.
The Chairman of the committee, Governor Dickson told journalists on Tuesday after a meeting that the committee had reached out to aggrieved National aspirants/candidates with a view to addressing all emergent issues after the convention.
The Secretary to the Committee, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, corroborated the governor in a statement issued on Tuesday that the committee is already contacting all PDP Chairmanship Candidates including Chief Olabode George, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chief Rasheed Ladoja, and Taoheed Adedoja in an effort sat achieving effective reconciliation of all aggrieved parties.
Speaking with newsmen, Governor Dickson gave the assurances that the committee’s efforts so far were positive and were well received by all the contestants who were contacted shortly after the convention.
“We have discussed the state of affairs, and developing issues and it is our pleasure to let you know that concerning developments after the elective convention which are not strange to any of you. Generally, we are pleased with the outcome of the exercise.
“But we have established contacts already with those who are for one reason or the other dissatisfied and who have concerns and issues, and grievances and which is normal in an exercise such as this.
“We can report to you that the efforts we have made so far to establish contact with all chairmanship aspirants, and indeed we intend to interact with all other aspirants.
“All those who purchased forms, all those who actually contested, it is our intention to engage and interact with them to find out what the challenges and issues are with a view to promoting amicable resolution and promoting better understanding within the PDP family.
“We are pleased to announce that our contact with all the major candidates, with all the chairmanship candidates was very positive, our overtures were well received, and in the next couple of days and weeks, we are going to see a lot of activities undertaken by this committee, and also we are at liberty to co-opt other party leaders whose input would be helpful.”
The Bayelsa Governor said that the committee would visit leaders ‘who may have concern on issues’ about the convention with effect from Tuesday.
Dickson also urged all members and leaders to avoid utterances which could inflame passion and send out the wrong and unintended messages within the party.
He stressed that the committee was against utterances from leaders and members which could aggravate the situation on the ground.
“I want to also, on behalf of this committee make an appeal, the committee takes it very seriously. We want to make an appeal to all members and leaders of our party, with no exception to be careful about statements they are making on this matter at this time.
“We don’t want a situation where statements that are provocative are made by party members and especially party leaders that will inflame passion. Our appeal to all party leaders and members is to exercise caution and to show restrain”
He added that the committee would also interact with those who left the party in order to facilitate their return to the fold of the party.
Members of the committee include Amb. Aminu Wali, (Deputy Chairman), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu (Secretary) Sen. Joy Emordi, former Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, former Minister of Information, Chief John Ode, former Minister of Environment, Mr. Laurentia Mallam and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Waziri Maina
