PDP elders in talks with Wike on party crisis

Seeking solutions to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis, members of the party’s Reconciliation Committee, Sen. David Mark and seven others yesterday held talks with the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

The team led by former Senate President David Mark met with Wike for about three and a half hours.

They tabled a three-point agenda, including asking him to prevail on Rivers PDP members to withdraw the court case which led to the suspension of Prince Uche Secondus as national chairman, seeking his opinion on how to move the party forward and reconciliation with Secondus.

According to a top source, the panel members arrived at the Government House at about 2.30pm.

Members of the delegation are a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi: ex-National Chairman, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo; another former National Chairman, Haliru Mohammed  Sen. Enyinaya Abaribe and a former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Inna Ciroma.

The source said: “The panel is determined to find a lasting solutions to the crisis at hand. The job is easier because the two gladiators are from Rivers State and from the same political family.

“ The panel may still reach out to some PDP elders like ex-Governor Peter Odili who both Wike and Secondus still defer to.”

“ With his stronghold on PDP in Rivers State, no member can go to court against Secondus without the knowledge of Wike.”

The source also claimed that the panel sought “seek Wike’s opinions on the way forward for PDP. At previous peace meetings, he had demanded early National Convention which the National Caucus acceded to by affirming the October 31 date.

“The panel may meet with Secondus in Abuja between today and Friday. Members of the panel returned to Abuja last night after the meeting.