Former minister of environment and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief John Ogar Odey, has faulted the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee’s reconciliation efforts and called for an inclusive convention with the view of addressing the grievances of aggrieved members.
Odey stated this at the weekend while reacting to the lingering leadership crisis rocking the PDP following conflicting court orders on which faction between Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Makarfi-led factions is the authentic leader of the party.
According to him, Makarfi held his authority from the Port-Harcourt convention like a Bible and the Quran to the detriment of the rebuilding process of the PDP. He appealed for an inclusive reconciliation and consultation teams and that Sheriff’s group should be co-opted into the convention committees scheduled for August 17, 2016.
Odey, who was a former publicity secretary of the party, said the crisis facing the party was a result of its past sin of impunity and imposition, saying “To get well we must swallow the pills.”
Odey said, “The caretaker committee has to deepen it’s reconciliation to have an inclusive convention. The outcome of the court injunction clearly indicates that a lot is yet to be achieved. I expected more consultations and reconciliation than the committee has done.
“Acknowledging the short time given to the committee I would have expected a beehive of consultations and engagement with the aggrieved towards a successful convention. We are paying the price of impunity and imposition.
He added that, all groups including Sheriff’s group should be co-opted into various committees to ensure a successful convention. Sheriff should be allowed to nominate party members into the convention committees. He can equally nominate one of the governors to co-chair the convention.
He said, “If this will bring about a peaceful convention, then it should be allowed. The interest of the party and democracy is too important that no sacrifice and fair consideration will be too much to achieve.
“Repairing the undemocratic decisions of some of our party leaders is already costing the party good fortune. It is a necessary huddle and the party members have to be patient, resolute and resilient in the face of these challenges.”
“All groups including Sheriff group should be co-opted into various committees to ensure a successful convention. Sheriff should be allowed to nominate party members into the convention committees. He can equally nominate one of the governors to co-chair the convention.
“All groups including Sheriff group should be co-opted into various committees to ensure a successful convention. Sheriff should be allowed to nominate party members into the convention committees. He can equally nominate one of the governors to co-chair the convention.
