The National Working Conmitee of the PDP led by the chairman, Bamanga Tukur has met with federal lawmakers in the Senate to discuss the political crises in the party.The meeting took place behind closed-doors and lasted for about three and a half hours.
Before the meeting, Senate President, David Mark, admitted that there are challenges in the party but said the PDP is equal to the task.
However, after the meeting, Mr Tukur said that party members had a frank discussion on several issues, but he denied discussing the issue of the defection of lawmakers from the PDP to the APC.
He said, “We did not talk about people who wants to go or stay (defection) I came here because this is the first time I am coming to meet my family, they are my members.”
He said that the need for the entrenchment of democracy, discipline and good governance formed the basis of his message to the senators during the meeting.
Asked whether it was an earlier visit to the National Assembly by the Kawu Baraje’s faction of the party that informed his decision to meet the senators, Tukur said, “Of course not, this is PDP and there is no other PDP”
Also asked whether he discussed the impact of the defection of the five governors with the senators, Tukur said, “Have they defected? They have not gone yet.”
Tukur, had during the opening session of the meeting, before the journalists were excused, explained that he was in the Senate to fraternise and exchange ideas with the PDP Senators on how they could continue to work together as one family.
Tukur also acknowledged the challenges facing the party but assured the lawmakers that the problem was surmountable “because PDP is one family working together towards achieving a common goal.”
But a source who did not wish to be named, said lawmakers at the meeting expressed displeasure over the PDP’s stand in the Anambra election, accusing the PDP leadership of working with APGA.
The source also told Channels Television that lawmakers also want automatic tickets in 2015.
Before the meeting, Senate President, David Mark, admitted that there are challenges in the party but said the PDP is equal to the task.
However, after the meeting, Mr Tukur said that party members had a frank discussion on several issues, but he denied discussing the issue of the defection of lawmakers from the PDP to the APC.
He said, “We did not talk about people who wants to go or stay (defection) I came here because this is the first time I am coming to meet my family, they are my members.”
He said that the need for the entrenchment of democracy, discipline and good governance formed the basis of his message to the senators during the meeting.
Asked whether it was an earlier visit to the National Assembly by the Kawu Baraje’s faction of the party that informed his decision to meet the senators, Tukur said, “Of course not, this is PDP and there is no other PDP”
Also asked whether he discussed the impact of the defection of the five governors with the senators, Tukur said, “Have they defected? They have not gone yet.”
Tukur, had during the opening session of the meeting, before the journalists were excused, explained that he was in the Senate to fraternise and exchange ideas with the PDP Senators on how they could continue to work together as one family.
Tukur also acknowledged the challenges facing the party but assured the lawmakers that the problem was surmountable “because PDP is one family working together towards achieving a common goal.”
But a source who did not wish to be named, said lawmakers at the meeting expressed displeasure over the PDP’s stand in the Anambra election, accusing the PDP leadership of working with APGA.
The source also told Channels Television that lawmakers also want automatic tickets in 2015.