PDP crisis: Reconciliation still possible before 2023 polls, says Ologbondiyan

Kola Ologbondiyan, spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council, says the party has ample time to reconcile aggrieved members before the 2023 elections.

Ologbondiyan spoke on Sunday when appeared on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television.

The PDP is embroiled in an internal dispute which has polarised the opposition party.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, with Nyesom Wike of Rivers as the arrowhead, are demanding the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman of the PDP.

On Sunday, the governors met in Lagos where they formed the ‘Integrity Group’ — comprising members who have aligned themselves to the call for Ayu’s resignation.

According to Ologbondiyan, Abubakar is open to reconciliation with the aggrieved members.

“As a matter of fact, when I read in the social media at the end of the meeting of the governors that they have opened the window of reconciliation, what came to my mind was that a few days ago when the candidate of the party Atiku Abubakar met with the guild of editors in Lagos, he was very emphatic about his readiness for reconciliation,” he said.

“And even today after this meeting when I had the opportunity to hold a discussion with him he was still very emphatic about the fact that the disposition of the governors as well as the members of this group tallies with his own position which is that — let us reconcile and pull together, not just in our own interest, but the collective interest of ordinary Nigerians who have been going through pains, anguish and sufferings under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“So it is not just about party leaders, it’s about the ordinary Nigerians out there are thinking about: How they want the economy to be revamped, how they want unity, how they want the nation to be secured. These are the issues.

“Luckily for us in the PDP, we still have time — the election is in February, we are in November.

“I know in a political environment — one day, 24 hours — is like an eternity. So for us, we have enough room, enough time to harmonise within ourselves. And I am glad that even the governors are saying that they want reconciliation. The candidate says he wants reconciliation. So what is just there is the harmonisation of the reconciliation.”