PDP Recalls Masari, Nnamani, Others
San Francisco, June 02, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday recalled Aminu Masari, Ken Nnamani and 17 other members of the PDP Reform Group, who were suspended more than a month ago by the National Working Committee of the party for anti-party activities.
The politicians were recalled after a peace meeting between the leaders of the group, PDP NWC and Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Others recalled include Senator Adolphus Wabara, for governor Peter Odili, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Chief Tony Ukasanya, Chief Bernard Eze, Senator Emmanuel Agboti, Senator Sylvanus Ngele, Senator Ifeanyichukwu Ararume, Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Chief Sunny Iroche, Chief Abiye Sekibo, Auwal Tukur, Bawa Bwari, Prof. ABC Nwosu, Kelechi Igwe and Chief Chris Ekpenyong.
Announcing the decision to recall the politicians, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, in a statement said they were recalled following the Vice President’s intervention.
"The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting held on the 2nd of June, 2010 considered and reviewed the report of the meeting held with some members of our Party operating under the aegis of the PDP Reform Forum.
"The meeting which was held under the Chairmanship of the Vice President looked at some of the issues constituting a challenge to the unity and cohesion of our great Party, the PDP. At the meeting, the NWC also received submissions from the group containing details of their observations and recommendations.
"Consistent with the deep commitment of our great Party towards reconciliation, deepening internal democracy and openness, the NWC set up a five-member committee under the chairmanship of the National Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, to look at all the issues raised with a view to recommending a way forward.
"In order to facilitate the reconciliation process and confidence building, the NWC also reviewed the suspension of 19 members of the party, who were suspended on the 22nd of April, 2010. Accordingly, this suspension is hereby lifted. This will also give them equal opportunity to join members of the committee set up by the NWC to speed up the process of addressing the issues raised in their submission to the party.
"The NWC wishes to commend President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the keen interest he has been showing in resolving issues within the Party. The NWC also thanks the Vice President for the patriotic and matured manner he presided over the meeting.
"The NWC hereby reiterates its commitment to long lasting reforms which has been a consistent agenda since assumption of office in March 2008. We wish to use this opportunity to appeal to all PDP members to always channel their grievances through the appropriate organs of the party and refrain from undue sensationalism in order not to send the wrong signals to the electorate," the statement said.
The peace deal will see the PDP leadership recall the suspended politicians while the group would abandon a court order it had obtained to prevent the NWC from meeting.