PDP Invites Bankole, Others Over Fracas

ABUJA, June 23, (THEWILL) - Following the disgraceful conduct of the leadership of the House of Representatives and the group of suspended legislators yesterday, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party has extended an invitation to both the House leadership and the progressives to explain their roles in the unparliamentary conduct at the lower chambers of the National Assembly.

The invitation is coming after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met today to review current events within the Party and the nation.

In a statement from the party and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali said the NWC expressed its disappointment over the embarrassing scenes in the House of Representatives where members openly threw caution to the wind and engaged one another in this unparliamentary conduct.

The party noted with dismay that its earlier appeal for members to sheath their swords and embrace dialogue in resolving all lingering issues went unheeded.

It therefore condemned the resort to violence which was carried out in the full glare of the public including school children who had gone to the National Assembly to experience the process of legislation first hand.

"The outcome of the sitting of the House of Representatives on the 22nd of June, 2010 is regrettable and does not tally with the mood of the nation and the policy thrust of President Goodluck Jonathan which encourages constructive engagement," the statement said.

The NWC said the shameful act carried out by some members of the House of Representatives some of whom are members of our Party also negates the new philosophy of discipline and decorum which the New National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo has set out to instill in the Party and called on the House of Representatives to offer apology to Nigerians for this disgraceful and avoidable conduct.