Why We Dissolved Standing Committees – PDP Chair, Markafi

The Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has explained the real reason the standing committees of the party were dissolved.

Makarfi had, during the Expanded National Caucus of the party held in Abuja on Monday, pronounced the dissolution of all standing committees of the party, before the Supreme Court judgement of Wednesday last week.

Addressing newsmen in his residence on Thursday, the Party Chairman said the standing committees were dissolved based on the advice proffered by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson.

Markafi who played host to the PDP National Reconciliation Committee under the chairmanship of Governor Dickson, said it was better to bring fresh hands on board with fresh ideas that could help achieve the needed reconciliation in the party.

He told Dickson and his Committee that the entire PDP family would be eternally grateful to them, “for serving the party dutifully and for sacrificing so much for the party in most trying times”.

“As you will recall, we had expanded caucus, BoT and NEC and that was after I heard a discussion with you and you initiated the discussion to dissolve the standing committees out of foresight and love for the party and I communicated the initiative of yours to all the organs of the party including the NEC.

“I want to thank you for the tremendous service to the party, not only on the reconciliation committee but in all aspects of the party. All along, it has always been my belief that you have always been acting in good faith but there were people who were not acting in good faith,” he said.

Senator Makarfi said, he would pursue reconciliation in the party, stressing that, it was against that background that he declared after the Supreme Court judgement that, there was no victor no vanquished.

He said all those who misbehaved and tried to pull the PDP down before the verdict have been pardoned, but, however, the party would descend heavily on anybody who plays antiparty or flouts the party rules henceforth.

He thanked Governor Dickson and his Committee for a job well done and urged them to always remain available as the party could call on them for national assignments anytime.

Earlier, the Governor of Bayelsa State and Chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, held a valedictory session with the members of his committee, where he applauded them for their selfless and dedicated commitment to the party.

“After the valedictory session, I have to lead my colleagues on the committee to visit you and use this opportunity to once more congratulate and thank the party for the opportunity that was given to us to serve in the capacity we served.

“All of us are believers in our party and we are available to serve our party in any way deemed fit in future’’, Dickson told PDP chairman.

He called on all leaders and stakeholders of the party to support the National Chairman of the party to deepen reconciliation and deliver acceptable ‘Unity National Convention’ within a shortest time.

While stressing that the court only adjudicates and does not reconcile, Governor Dickson urged all leaders of PDP across board to embark on deliberate genuine reconciliation, adding that it was by so doing that the PDP would regain its lost glory.

“The Supreme Court does not reconcile, it can only adjudicate and that is why political solution to a political problem is usually the best option in a democracy.

“Now that the Supreme Court and the Judiciary have done their job, we are counting on your experience and leadership with the support of all leaders to still deepen reconciliation.

“It is now the business of political leaders and party leaders under your leadership to build a unity and strong party that will be the Horse that Warriors would ride to political battles and win”, he added.

The Valedictory session was attended by almost all committee members, including the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Engr. Abba Gana.