‘Sheathe Your Swords, Maintain The Status Quo’, Obasanjo Tells PDP Factions

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed worry over the fractionalization of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The former President, who was reacting to the emergence of a faction of the ruling party led by his former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and seven governors, urged the two factions to maintain the status quo pending the intervention of party elders. In a statement he personally signed and issued to journalists yesterday, Obasanjo said the split is “giving party members and elders great concern.” He said: “The situation in our ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) after the Convention on Saturday and the parallel convention same day has given great concern to all well-meaning members of the party and particularly to the elders of the party. “While some select elders are making efforts to get the situation resolved as soon as possible, it is imperative to emphasise that the move will bring back peace and return the party to its vigorous and dynamic election-winning party that it has always been. “I want to passionately appeal to both sides for now to sheath their swords, maintain the status quo, with earliest conveyance of the Elders’ meeting before the end of this week. “Members are equally enjoined to remain calm until the Elders’ complete their peace-making meeting.”