Former Senate President David Mark and 27 other elders have announced their intention to mediate in the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The leaders said they will soon meet with the governors on the platform of the party as well as its Board of Trustees, and the National Working Committee (NWC) to find lasting solutions.
In a statement they jointly signed in Abuja, the 28 party elders appealed for calm among members of the party.
The elders, apart from Senator Mark, are ex-Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Adolphus Wabara; former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu; former Deputy Speaker Austin Opara; ex-Minister Jerry Gana; ex-Governors Sule Lamido, Ibrahim Danmkwambo, and Olagunsoye Oyinlola; ex-National Chairman, Okwesilieze Nwodo; ex-Ministers Odion Ugbesa and Hajiya Zainab Maina, Senators Biodun Olujimi and Zainab Kure.
Others are a former national chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; a former Chief of Staff, Mike Ogiadomhe; Senate Minority Leader Eyinnaya Abaribe; Senator Helen Esuene; Senator Hosea Agboola and Hajiya Adiza Adodo.
The statement reads: “In view of recent developments at the National Secretariat of our great party, we have resolved to issue this press statement urging all party organs, party officers and party members to remain calm, faithful and orderly, as we proceed with urgent consultations and initiatives to resolve the contending issues.
“We wish to firmly reassure aggrieved stakeholders that we intend to be thorough, objective, creative, and balanced in our efforts to find lasting solutions to the fundamental matters arising.
“Towards this end, we have initiated moves to urgently meet with our governors, the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, and other critical stakeholders.
“Since we all share the legitimate desires of our loyal members to offer a credible, effective and productive alternative, we have no doubt that we shall soon find positive, appropriate, pragmatic, and lasting solutions to the problems facing the party.
“We shall emerge from this crisis stronger, better, and more united. This is only a temporary challenge.”
It also assured all Nigerians that “the PDP is resolute in providing qualitative leadership, sound programmes, effective implementation strategies, and hope-generating solutions” to national problems.