PDP’s reconciliatory efforts ongoing, says Fayose

•Vows sanctions for erring members
•Crisis in Imo chapter persists
• INEC okays new political party

Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was poised to reconciling all aggrieved people and groups within the political grouping. But, he, however, maintained that the main opposition platform in Nigeria would not tolerate dissidents, as they would be sanctioned.

Speaking yesterday in Ado-Ekiti at the opening of reconciliation meetings for chapters in South West, Fayose, who doubles as chairman of the reconciliation committee in the zone, told delegates from Oyo and Osun states that the party would not tolerate attempt by any person or group to thwart the reconciliatory efforts.

His words: “This exercise is a fallout of our recent non-elective national convention. The leaders have mandated us to bring on board those who are ready to support our great party in the drive to chart a way forward for it. In doing this, we would not give room for dissidents to frustrate our efforts and us. 

“Some people are claiming to be members of our party and at the same time going to court to frustrate it. They tried unsuccessfully to stop the last convention using the court, but failed woefully.

“There is no room for anybody who is one leg in and one leg out. It is either you are here or there. I am sure no judge would allow himself to be used as a spoiler by some filthy politicians. 

“Sanctions will be imposed on erring members and those who are loyal members and working for the progress of the party have nothing to fear.” He continued: “The success of our last convention brings the hope for a new Nigeria. The opposition must be organised for the sake of democracy in our country. For us to be organised, we need to shift grounds where necessary. Whoever loses out today, may win tomorrow. I am not from Oyo and would not be biased.

“In my situation, after leaving office, God still brought me here as the governor of my state. If President Goodluck Jonathan had won a second term, I may not be relevant like I am today. My appeal to you is that you should not allow anybody to use you to perpetrate evil.” 

However, the crisis rocking the Imo State chapter of the party has persisted in spite of the ruling by Supreme Court affirming the Senator Ahmed Markarfi-led national caretaker committee as the authentic leadership.

The development followed the insistence, yesterday, of members of the defunct Modu Sheriff faction to remain in the group. During a leadership forum held at the faction’s headquarters in Owerri, the duo Senator Hope Uzodinma and Chief Goodluck Opiah insisted that their group, led by Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, remains intact.

In another development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered yet another grouping, Africa People’s Party (APP), making it 46 political parties in the land.The commission’s chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, who made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja, said the registration followed their application three years ago.