PDP CALLS FOR TRUCE

Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party yesterday called on members of the House of Representatives to sheathe their swords and allow sanity to prevail in the lower legislative chamber. The House has been polarized into factions with those opposed to the leadership style of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, demanding for his resignation, alleging financial malfeasance.

But the National Working Committee of the PDP, after its meeting, called on the federal lawmakers not to destabilize the House of Representatives.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Professor Rufai Alkali, disclosed that the party was disturbed by the discordant voices coming out of the House of Representatives, particularly the attempt to discredit the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, and the leadership of the House.

'We view the attempts by some members to destabilize the leadership of the House of Representatives at this point in time when the nation is gearing up for the forthcoming general elections as diversionary and out of sync with the current efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan, to stabilize the system.

'Indeed, what the people expect from the National Assembly are not drumbeats of war but a speedy conclusion of issues involving constitutional amendments, electoral reforms and purposeful legislations for the good governance of the country.'

The party leadership warned members of the House of Representatives to be mindful of the negative consequences of an unstable National Assembly.

'While we maintain our principles of probity and accountability in public office, we are also not unmindful of the negative consequences of an unstable National Assembly.

'The Acting National Chairman, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC), wishes to call on all our members involved in this course of action to immediately sheath their swords and follow the appropriate procedures in resolving all issues.

'He also wishes to call on them to refrain from making inflammatory statements against each other that will not only heat up the polity but also create an atmosphere of instability and uncertainty,' Alkali noted.