By Ebitonye Akpodigha
The factional chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have finally reconciled their difference, Business Post can report.
Both factions of the country’s main opposition party have agreed to embrace peace and a truce reached.
Leaders of the two warring parties, Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff, met in Abuja on Tuesday with some party stalwarts, who settled their differences. They have now put the past behind them and have promised to work together to ensure the PDP wrestle power back from the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.
After the meeting on Tuesday, representatives of the factions, Mr Ben Obi of the Makarfi-led caretaker committee and Mr Cairo Ojougbo of the Sheriff faction held a joint press conference to announce the truce.
“In reviewing the crisis that has engulfed our party, the PDP since the loss of the 2015 general elections, after 16 years of uninterrupted leadership at the centre, it became obvious to both of us as principal actors that it is time to heal the wounds, and bring about a united, focused and constructive opposition party that can bring sanity to our democratic process, bringing relief to the teeming supporters of our great party, the PDP and to the benefit of our country Nigeria.
“Based on the above, we have both agreed to consult widely with all relevant organs of the party; set up a joint committee that will carry out a holistic reconciliation of all aggrieved segments of our party across the country and in diaspora; pursue the vision of the founding fathers of our great party the PDP,” Mr Ojougboh, who read the text of the press statement said.
The peace deal comes ahead of the governorship election in Edo State next Wednesday.