The spokesman of Atiku Abubakar Campaign Council, Senator Dino Melaye has called on the governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde to walk his talk by showing up at the ongoing presidential petition tribunal, sitting in Abuja to support to the cause of the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
He made this statement during the People’s Democratic Party rereat for elected officers, held at the New Banquet hall of the government house, Bauchi state.
Makinde in his speech at the retreat, emphasised the need for healing the wound within the PDP.
According to the governor who is currently the deputy chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, it is now the time to start healing within the party.
Makinde and other immediate past governors of Rivers, Benue, Enugu and Abia states, Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Okezie Ikpeazu respectively had during the build up to the presidential election in February 25 withdrew their support for the party’s candidate, Atiku.
The former governors known as G5 cited non inclusivity in the party and the failure of the sacked national chairman, Iyorcha Ayu to resign his position and pave way for Southerner as the party constitution requires, for their action.
Many believed that the party lost the presidential election on all the five states to All Progressives Congress and Labour Party.
During the question and answer session, Melaye, having acknowledged the statement of the Oyo state governor, urged him to begin what he canvassed for by showing up at the presidential tribunal to practice what he preached, saying the healing should start now.
Melaye also charged every governor, elected members of the national assembly and other critical stakeholders of the party to do same by sparing one or two hours whenever they are in Abuja and physically be with the party during the hearing.
Meanwhile, Hon. Afam Ogene, the leader of the Labour Party caucus in the house of representatives, has warned the PDP members to show true leadership as the leading members of all the opposition caucus in the green chamber or else, the 35 strong members elect of the labour party with take over and build a strong opposition to give Nigerians their desire.
Earlier, acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum urged newly elected lawmakers to work in unison as “one family”, even as reminded senators elect and members elect that the party are in the opposition.
“In order to remain relevant, we must work together as one family. That’s the only way you’ll be able to ensure that your relevance is being determined.
Congratulating the officials on the success of the recent elections, Damagum decried the “many” challenges of the polls, saying, “Perhaps the 2023 election will go down as the worst conducted.”
According to him, Nigeria was given hope that the elections would be free and fair, following the passage of the Electoral Act, which made provision for the development of technology, to make the process more transparent.
“The combination of BVAS and electronic transmission of results was to ensure seamless accreditation and transmission of results, but INEC simply chose to undermine,” he alleged.
“Let me also assure you of the party’s support all the way during your sojourn litigation. We’ll leave no stone unturned to reclaim our mandate that has been lost during this election.
“We’ve done well in this election. We know it and we have a responsibility to mobilise likeminds to be a party that will be responsive to the aspirations of Nigerians,” he said.
The retreat had in attendance the acting national chairman of PDP, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum, party’s presidential candidate, Mr Abubakar, the state governors on the platform of the party, former state governors, serving and newly elected members of the national assembly, other opposition parties members elect and members of the national working committee of the party.
Conspicuous absent were Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki who was represented by his deputy, Philip Shuaibu, and Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Also noticeably absent were governors of Delta and Rivrrs states, Ifeanyi Okowa and Nyeseom Wike respectively.
WesternLifeNewsNG however understands that the absence of both Okowa and his successor, Oborevwori was due to an engagement in Agbor, Delta State where the Ika nation organised a rally to welcomet former governor back home, after his eighth year tenure.
