A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, and former State Publicity Secretary, Prince Francis Omo-Osunde Iyasere, has called on leaders of the party to embrace peaceful reconciliation of the lingering internal crises rocking the party.
He said the unnecessary crisis would continue to de-market the party and dim its chances of clinching victory in next year’s governorship election.
Iyasere, while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Benin, said, “It is time for the internal wrangling within the party to be laid to rest, so we do not lose focus on the bigger picture of winning the governorship election next year.
“There is no gainsaying the obvious fact that in the last eight years, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has proven itself as a reckless, anti-masses party that has increased the miseries of Nigerians in all aspects of life.
“In Edo State, we, the PDP, as a more viable and well-entrenched, pro-people party, must properly reposition ourselves to harvest the disenchanted mass of Nigerians who are urgently seeking more endearing alternatives. This should be our focus, not endless wrangling,” he said.
He called on the party to properly manage its internal crises, noting, “No party is free of crisis and internal disagreements. What should be important and uppermost is the ability, and good conscience, to quickly resolve the disagreements in the greater interest of the party’s stability, virility, and election-winning advancement.
“We have all seen that in the Rivers State APC fold, they have seemingly and effectively managed their internal crises with ex-governor Rotimi Amaechi and the rest allowing the reality of the emergence of a PDP member picking the ministerial slot for the state.”
Iyasere, a former Chairman, Edo State Committee on Peace and Conflict Resolution, and an immediate past member, South-South PDP Exco, particularly condemned the indecorous antics of some members who speak ill or sponsor malicious comments against respected party leaders who are trying to encourage reconciliation and find ways of ending the wrangling.
“I must condemn these malice-driven commentaries and verbal attacks, especially peddled on the Edo PDP WhatsApp group, against tested and proven leaders like the SSG Barrister Osarodion Ogie and Edo South senatorial district leader, Owere Dickson Imasogie who have remained exemplary in their honest quests to bring lasting reconciliation and sanity in the prevailing disagreements.
“These leaders should be commended and supported in their selfless quests for peace and stability in the party. Less than a year before a major election, we are here still fighting ourselves. This is unwise and unacceptable in a serious and formidable party like the PDP. Let us be reminded and guided that the PDP is a leadership party. We respect our leaders and trust them to show direction, especially in times of crisis,” he added.