From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Reconciliation Committee, Seriake Dickson, has broken his silence on the raging crisis in the party.
He described negative comments which trailed submission of his committee report to the party’s national executive as “mere propaganda.”
Dickson came under attack from supporters of Senator Ahmed Makafi’s National Caretaker Committee, after he recently submitted a template for peace, including a proposal for the party convention to National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
Speaking for the first time, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, yesterday, Dickson said rather than embark on name-calling, propaganda and outright lies, it was time the party come together in the interest of peace.
He said despite sacrifices made by him and members of the body, it was unfortunate that some persons within the party were making ‘uncharitable comments’ on the report meant to salvage the party.
He called on everyone who has any idea as to how to take the party out of the current crisis to proffer their own solutions, instead of seeking to pull down the little gains that have been made by the committee.
Dickson, who explained that he never supported the court’s decision on Sheriff, insisted that since the Appeal Court has recognised him as national chairman, the law has to be obeyed and dialogue initiated to resolve issues.
“My attention has been drawn to series of half truths and litany of lies being peddled by some leaders, stakeholders and members of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the recent submission of the report of the reconciliation committee which I chaired.
“In my usual character, I am not disposed to joining issues with anyone or group, especially on a matter that I think can be settled internally. More so, when some of the key actors are not sincerely committed to bringing an end to the festering crisis that has set us back as a party.
“First, let me state in clear terms that the ongoing blame game, name-calling and propaganda will not in any way help us.
“Rather, we are, by such actions, de-marketing ourselves and playing into the hands of the All Progressive Congress (APC) which appears to be the major beneficiary of the crisis rocking our party.
What we should be doing now, is to look for amicable solution; to come out of where we are, rally round ourselves and form a bond like never before since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had released the timetable for the 2019 general elections.
“Secondly, everyone, especially in the PDP Governors’ Forum can testify that I never supported Senator Sheriff as national chairman. I strongly canvassed against his choice because he was new to our party.
“I felt that we needed a fresh face for a new beginning. But, as a democrat I believe in the plurality of opinions which made me to tag along. Now, with the Appeal Court judgment affirming him as the national chairman, it is only legal and strategic for all leaders of the party to engage him on a template such as what we have proposed.”