PDP women forum tasks FG on UN report, famine

Charges erstwhile president Jonathan on party’s crisis

Prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of PDP Women Forum have called on the Federal Government to react to the recent United Nation’s (UN) report on famine and potential widespread starvation in the Lake Chad region and parts of the North East Nigeria.

Besides, the forum which comprised of Senator Abiodun Olujimi; Chief Remi Adiukwu; former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze and Chinwe Nnorom, among others observed that the post-Boko Haram challenges in the country have worsened the situation.

They also expressed worry after a meeting in Abuja, about the hopelessness of many of victims of the insurgents, particularly women and children, who are currently facing malnutrition and other threats in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

The forum enjoined Nigerian women to continue to pray for the good health of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying: “It was commendable that Nigerians could hold forth in peace despite the absence of Mr. President for 50 days. This is a sure sign of the workability of the democratic process in the country.

It however berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly failing in its role in previous elections and called on the commission to show more transparency and accountability to ensure that civil standards where maintained and security forces are not used to intimidate the electorate to the disadvantage of the opposition.

While congratulating the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen on his appointment, the PDP women forum urged him to use his good offices to bring the judiciary back to its tradition of non-partisanship.

According to the forum, “As a party in opposition, we believe that the judiciary has a duty to the country to restore confidence in the rule of law and hope in the future of democracy.”

“Even as it commits to working within the ambit of the law to restore dignity to the country and to participate actively in getting the party back as a viable alternative to the ruling party in 2019.

It further called on the warring factions in the PDP to embrace peaceful resolution of the crisis in the interest of the nation, saying: “All the combatants to observe a period of verbal ceasefire and allow for genuine reconciliation efforts to be explored.”

According to the forum, “The unhealthy exchanges in the press between the contending interests in the PDP should subject themselves to the process of political reconciliation, initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan,” as it also suggested that such peace process should not last beyond two months.

Similarly, it urged that Jonathan should look within and outside the party for those that could assist in the reconciliation effort.Others in attendance were Dr. Aisha Aliyu; Ambassador Ntol Nkoyo Toyo; Zonal Woman PDP leaders for North West and North Central.