Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, and Kano State Governor, Rabi Kwankwaso
The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Wale Oladipo on Friday hinted that the party would soon commence moves to draw back former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor, Rabi Kwankwaso.
Oladipo, who spoke to THISDAY in a telephone interview, said he would soon personally commence the reconciliation moves through certain channels which he said would be in the interest of the party and the affected former PDP chieftains.
“It will be better for Atiku and Kwankwaso to return to PDP and allow Jonathan to complete his second term. Thereafter, they can take a shot at the Presidency and regain their pride of place instead of queuing behind a 72-year-old man. Atiku did it before. He went to ACN, came back and was accorded his pride of place,” said Oladipo.
Asked if Kwankwaso would regain control of party structure in his state if he returns, Oladipo said: “Of course, there is nothing stopping him from regaining his previous position.”
The PDP National Secretary also spoke to journalists in Ile-Ife, Osun State yesterday, where he reiterated that the party had reached out to many of its aggrieved members, especially those who defected to other political parties.
He stressed that the party’s reconciliation committee recently set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) would meet with all the former members of the party now in the APC and other political parties before the next general elections to ensure that the PDP won the elections in all parts of the country.
This, he said would enhance the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in the February Presidential poll and also brighten the chances of the PDP in other elections.
He expressed optimism that those who left the PDP for personal and political reasons would soon return to the party, going by the reconciliation efforts of the leadership of the party.
He specifically stated that the crisis rocking the Ondo State chapter of the party had been resolved, adding that there were no more factions in the Ondo State chapter of the party as the two factions had agreed to work together.
Oladipo who condemned the antecedence of the APC Presidential candidate, General Mohamadu Buhari, urged Nigerians to support President Jonathan in his second term ambition, saying that Jonathan meant well for the nation.
He stated: “General Buhari is too old to rule Nigeria. He cannot be compared with President Jonathan. Jonathan is meek, humble and dedicated to the course of democracy and good governance.
“The 72 year old man who retired from Nigerian Army has nothing to offer this nation. His age will not even allow him to give Nigerians what they deserve. I am sure that no youth in Nigeria will vote for Buhari. I will advise Nigerian youths to tell the world through their votes that the young ones can perform better.”
He cautioned Nigerians against violence in the next general elections, stressing the need for peace to reign in all parts of the country before, during and after the polls.
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