Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West geopolitical zone have asked members of the party’s National Working Committee, headed by the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to resign honourably from office.
They said the call became imperative following the abysmal performance of the party in the last general election.
Rising from a meeting under the aegis of South West Presidential Contact and Mobilization Committee hosted by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, in Ado Ekiti, the leaders also frowned at the impeachment moves by the 19 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress of the Ekiti State House of Assembly against Fayose.
They vowed the PDP would resist the moves by all means.
The PDP advised leaders of the APC to call to order the 19 lawmakers plotting to remove Fayose.
The PDP leaders advised the APC not to be intoxicated by its victory in the last presidential poll to the extent of harassing, molesting any PDP governor in the zone.
The zone commended President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat at the last presidential election, saying his statesmanly posturing saved the country from being plunged into a serious crisis.
A communique read by Chief Bode George after the closed door meeting, stated unequivocally that members of the NWC must resign their positions and return home to work for the party.
The communique also commended President Jonathan for his belief in the legacy of transparent elections and enjoined defected and defecting members to return and rebuild the party since the APC had boldly declared that there is no space for them in the party.
While commending Fayose for resisting intimidation and remaining dogged in the face of alleged intimidation by the APC, the PDP urged the governor and the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, to continue to work together harmoniously to ensure that the PDP is well positioned for the 2019 election.
George added: “People like President Jonathan is very rear to come by. He accepted a flawed election for Nigeria to stand united. Can those who had not be sworn in and have started threatening to impeach a PDP governor do this?
“PDP lost the elections because of unresolved issues and due to the handiwork of enemies within coupled with the conspiracy from the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who wisely made Nigerians to have the impression that the election was free and fair when it was not.
“As at the time Prof. Jega said he was ready for elections, about 2.1 million Permanent Voter Cards were yet to get to Lagos State and likewise Ogun. If you check the election, there was no cancellation of results and voided votes in the North.
“In spite of all these, the President said it should be allowed to stay. The conspiracy was too obvious against our party, but President Jonathan showed civility, this was quite commendable.”
Mimiko, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, appealed to the President–elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to believe in a new Nigeria, where people can easily express themselves and pursue their political aspirations without impediment.
Fayose, the host, said: “I am a member of the PDP and nobody can harass me because of my political belief.
“For APC to be harassing me because I am a member of the PDP and for them to ban AIT from covering the activities of the President-elect gave a reminder of slide to dictatorship.
“They were in opposition and they effectively stood up to us that time, so they should expect same now. Nigeria will progress if the APC can respect the rights of every Nigerian.”
On his part, Mimiko boasted that the PDP is only embarking on a four-year holiday, promising that the party will recapture power in 2019.
Leaders at the meeting included: former Zonal National Vice Chairman, Chief Tajudeen Oladipo; Senator Bode Olajumoke; Chief Segun Adegoke; Chief Lekan Balogun; the party’s governorship candidate in the last election in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka; an ex-envoy, Ambassador Toye Olofintuyi; ex-PDP Chairman in Ekiti State, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo; Senator Femi Kila; and Hon. Duro Faseyi.
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