The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate Caucus, on Tuesday, assured members that despite internal conflicts, the party remains strong and united, noting that the party’s strength lies in its commitment to its members and the Nigerian people.
This was as the opposition Party Caucus in the Senate urged party members to disregard rumours of the party collapsing, claiming that it was waxing strong and doing everything to remain formidable.
The Caucus gave the assurance while briefing journalists at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, stressing that internal conflicts are not unique to PDP, as other parties, including the APC, Labour Party, and NNPP, also face similar challenges.
Addressing the newsmen on behalf of the Caucus, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, said that the Caucus believes, crisis is a normal part of the democratic process.
Despite these challenges, the PDP Senate Caucus urged party members to remain resolute in their commitment, dedication, and loyalty to the party, assuring that the party’s leadership was working hard to address the current conflicts and strengthen the party.
The PDP Senate Caucus expressed optimism about the party’s future, saying that the series of activities lined up by the party’s leadership would throw up a new lease of life and leadership that would make the party competitive in future elections.
The Caucus emphasized the importance of robust opposition in democracy, warning that the emasculation of other parties and the tilting towards a one-party state would not advance the cause of democracy.
The Caucus said that it was not averse to the idea of coalition, pointing out however, that any such coalition should be driven by political parties and not individuals.
The statement reads: “Rising from its meeting, the Senate Caucus of the Peoples’ Democratic Party issues the following statement to assure its members that contrary to insinuations that the party is in shreds and on the verge of collapse, the party remains strong and will continue to wax stronger.
“The PDP Senate Caucus observes that the current conflicts in the PDP is not unique to the party as all the other parties such as the All Progressives Congress, the Labour Party, the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party, the Social Democratic Party etc have their own shares of crisis and conflicts.
“The Senate Caucus of the PDP therefore, urges all our teaming members to remain resolute in their commitment, dedication, and loyalty to the Party. The Caucus believes that the series of activities lined up by the leadership of the Party will throw up a new lease of life and leadership in the Party that will make it competitive in future elections.
“The Senate Caucus of the PDP states further that the beauty of democracy is in the existence of robust opposition to keep the ruling party in check to ensure good governance. Celebrating of the emasculation of other parties and tilting towards a one party state will not advance the cause of democracy.
“The Senate Caucus of the PDP states that it is not averse to the idea and ideals of coalition. The Caucus observes the synthesization of ideas and creating a harmony of ideals will further the beauty of democracy.
“However, the Caucus advises that any such coalition should be driven by political parties and not individuals. And as the biggest of all the opposition parties, the PDP’s Umbrella is big enough to accommodate all persons desirous of Coalition. The People’s Democratic Party, therefore, should drive the Coalition if and when it becomes necessary.
“Finally, the Senate Caucus of the PDP states emphatically that the party is a big brand that is competitive. In all nooks and crannies of Nigeria, there are PDP members. The Caucus asserts that out of the throes of the current conflicts in the Party will arise a renewed vibrant party that will give Nigeria an alternative to the current ruling party.
The Caucus, therefore, urges all members of the party to rededicate, recommit and demonstrate steadfast and unwavering loyalty to the party to provide a safeguard for democracy in Nigeria.”
