The National Caretaker Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP loyal to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has given conditions for the planned reconciliation of the crisis rocking the party.
Daily Trust gathered that the two factions have already set up a seven man committee to fashion out their own position which is expected to be discussed and harmonize when the two parties meet after the Sallah Festivities.
The two factions led by Dr Tanimu Turaki, SAN backed by the Governors and the Wike-backed group led by Abdulrahman Mohammed have decided to seek reconciliation after the Abuja high court nullified the Ibadan Convention held last year.
Addressing a press conference on the ongoing preparation for the National Convention, the National Publicity Secretary of the Wike faction Jungudo Haruna Mohammed said the reconciliation is an ongoing process, but added that it cannot prevent the caretaker committee from carrying out its functions or stop the National convention.
He disclosed that the faction is very open to reconciliation, but a message has been sent to the Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC that “two things remain sacrosanct: the existence of this caretaker committee and the conduct of this National Convention.”
Muhammed further revealed the series of activities that has been lined up ahead of the convention slated for the end of March.
Answering questions on the reconciliation process, Muhammed said “Reconciliation is an ongoing thing, and it cannot in any way prevent the caretaker committee from carrying out the convention.
“We had initially informed the representative of the Turaki group who attended our last NEC meeting that whatever their written proposals may be, two things remain sacrosanct: the existence of this caretaker committee and the conduct of this National Convention.
“So irrespective of whatever reconciliation that is likely to happen, it will not affect the conduct and processes leading to this convention. We are open. We are still open for reconciliation.”
He argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission had been notified about the National Convention and in line with the notice, “they have already supervised and monitored our ward, local government, and state congresses. The National Convention will not be an exception.”
He said they have concluded all state congresses in line with the judgement of Justice Omotosho. “We have just finished with that of Plateau yesterday, and then the Zonal congresses for the South East and North West will be on Saturday.”
He went further to say that the main purpose of the press conference is to let Nigerians know the schedule of activities ahead of the convention.
