PDP Crisis: 57 House Members Cross Over To New PDP

The end of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be drawing nigh by the day as no fewer than 57 members of the party in the House of Representatives have declared their support for the splinter group of the party. The lawmakers made their intention known just a day after 22 of their colleagues in the Senate took a similar step. In the statement endorsed by 57 House members last night, the lawmakers hailed the emergence of the faction and congratulated the Baraje-led National Executive Committee of the party. “We, the members of the House of Representatives under the platform of the New PDP, hereby congratulate our leaders on the emergence of the new party. “Although a sizeable number of our members who could not append their signatures because of their unavailability in the country will do so immediately on arrival, we, the undersigned, salute and appreciate the courage, sacrifice and resilience and patriotism of our leaders namely: former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, GCON, and the Governors of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko, (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), and Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), and other well-meaning and eminent Nigerians for leading the way for the emergence of the New PDP. “We are also using this opportunity to condemn in strong terms attempts by some agents of the federal government to use the state apparatus to witch-hunt some of these patriots for taking this bold and courageous step. “As members of the House of Representatives, we call on the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves to be used by anybody no matter how highly placed for their political ambitions. Remember how you want history to judge your tenures. “We won’t hesitate however to use all instruments of law within our powers as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to stop this and bring anybody found wanting to book. “We wish to state that by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the New PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and other members of the National Executive Committee. “We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide a level playing field for all Nigerians,” the statement read. It was also gathered that the New PDP House members might soon put pressure on the principal officers of the House to declare their stand or face removal. This, a source said, was because with their numerical strength, as the majority the PDP once held in the House no longer exists. At the moment, PDP has 204 members in the House, All Progressives Congress (APC) has 137, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord Party have five members each. The Labour Party has eight, while the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has five members. One of the defected lawmakers said the massive crossover of his colleagues to the New PDP was indicative that many members of the party were dissatisfied with the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The lawmaker, who opted for anonymity, added that the “real politicians” are the ones leaving the mainstream party to form the New PDP. According to him, the factionalisation of the party was a signal to Jonathan to halt his ambition to run for a second term in 2015. Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, however expressed optimism yesterday that the party would emerge from the crisis stronger as peace talks with the aggrieved party members, whom he said had genuine grievances, would now continue next Tuesday. Announcing the postponement of the peace meeting, which was scheduled for yesterday, Anenih said the meeting would now hold next Tuesday. The 57 House Members that declared support for the Splinter group of the PDP are: 1. Abdullahi Balarabe 2. Abdulmumin Jibrin 3. Ali Ahmad 4. Abdullahi M. Wamakko 5. Abdullahi Muhammed Rico 6. Abdulmalik Usman Cheche 7. Adamu Bashir 8. Ahman-Patigi Aliyu 9. Ahmed Zerewa 10. Aishatu Ahmed Binani 11. Aiyedun Akeem Olayinka 12. Alhassan Ado Garba 13. Aliyu Madaki 14. Aliyu Shehu 15. Aminu Shagari 16. Aminu Sulyman 17. Aminu Tukur 18. Andrew Uchendu 19. Asita Honourable 20. Bashir Baballe 21. Blessing Nsiegbe 22. Dakuku Peterside 23. Dawari George 24. Faruq Muhammed Lawan 25. Gibson Nathaniel 26. Gogo Bright Tamunu 27. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro 28. Hassan Adamu 29. Hussain Namadi 30. Ibrahim Ebbo 31. Ibrahim Tijjani Kivawa 32. Issa Bashir 33. Kabiru Achida 34. Khabeeb Mustapha 35. Maurice Pronen 36. Mohammed Sabo 37. Mpigi Barinada 38. Muhammad Ahmed Mukhtar 39. Muhammad Ibrahim 40. Muhammad Sani Kutigi 41. Mukhtari Muhammad 42. Musa Ado 43. Musa Sarkin-Adar 44. Mustapha Bala Dawaki 45. Mustapha Mashood 46. Ogbonna Nwuke 47. Rafiu Ibrahim 48. Sa’ad Nabunkari 49. Sani Muhammed Aliyu 50. Shuaibu Gobir 51. Sokonte Davies 52. Sufiyanu Ubale 53. Umar Bature 54. Usman Wada 55. Yusuph Dunari Sule 56. Yusuph Galambi 57. Zakari Muhammed