PDP crisis child’s play compared to APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket –Jibrin

 

.Atiku seeks increased collaboration between Nigeria, UK

 

PDP’s problem, child’s play compared to APC’s Muslim-Muslim issue ― Walid Jibrin

 

 

 

Obiora Ifoh, Abuja

 

 

The Board of Trustees, BoT Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Walid Jibrin has said that the problem that arose in the PDP after its presidential primaries would soon be over as plans were underway to meet Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and nip the issue in the bud.

 

He said, “what is happening in PDP can never be compared with the situation in APC especially their plans in trying to bring religious issues of Muslim-Muslim President and Vice president.”

 

Senator Jibrin in a statement on Monday, said “I notice with great concern what the PDP primary elections of Atiku Abubakar and the appointment of Chief Okowa as President and Vice President is unnecessary causing confusion among some PDP members.”

 

“May I point out that very strongly that there is no any problem as being envisaged by some people in our great party the PDP. I want to assure everyone that all plans are on ground to bring all members together as one and united, as what is happening in PDP can never be compared with the situation in APC especially their plans in trying to bring religious issues of Muslim-Muslim President and Vice president.”

 

He noted that some groups were coming up trying to solve the issues of Okowa as Vice-President; the latest group include some former governors of the party.

 

”And the current governors, some BoT members and elders including Prof Jerry Gana the chief spokesman of the group,governors Wike, Dankwambo,governors of Enugu and Abia states,former Governor Ibrahim idris of kogi state.”

 

“The aim of the group is to reconcile the aggrieved especially Wike. Interestingly the BoT the highest advisory body and the conscience of the party is meeting on Wednesday 3rd August to discuss the issues accordingly by coming up with strong recommendations with the special committee for the special reconciliation of aggrieved members especially governor Wike.”

 

“After the BoT meeting we will meet with Wike and all aggrieved members and all past presidential aspirants. It is my prayers as Chairman of BoT that the PDP will remain strongest and win all elections in 2023,’ he said.

However,The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has asked for an increased collaboration between the government of the United Kingdom and Nigeria in finding solutions to issues that are of mutual benefits to both countries.

 

The PDP presidential standard bearer made this call on Monday when a delegation of the British High Commission, led by High Catriona Laing met with Atiku at his residence in Abuja.

 

The meeting discussed a wide range of issues bordering on security, education, agriculture, economy and fostering national unity in Nigeria.

 

The High Commissioner noted that the meeting with the former Vice President was part of the on-going engagement of the UK government to enhance democracy and credible elections in Nigeria.

 

Responding, Atiku thanked the delegation for the meeting and noted that “the  bilateral ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom has a rich history and it is important for both countries to leverage on that to promote issues that are of mutual concern.”

 

The Waziri Adamawa stressed that he expects the United Kingdom to play a more active role for the survival of democracy in Nigeria, and that he is confident that the presidential election in 2023 will be free and fair.

 

On the issue of insecurity, he decried the poor state of affairs in the country and solicited UK assistance especially in the area of training and intelligence sharing.

 

On the economy, the former Vice President said that if given the opportunity, he would, among other things, abolish the multiple exchange rate regimes and reduce tax to encourage genuine manufacturers and promote real investments. He also promised to boost agriculture in order to create employment for the country’s teeming population.

 

Furthermore, the PDP presidential candidate expressed concern over the lingering ASUU strike and the crisis in the educational sector.

 

He promised to carry out reforms in the education sector, including the reinvigoration of financial loans schemes to Nigerian students.