By Raphael Ekpang
The immediate past president of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki has said that Nigeria ex-president Goodluck Jonathan has pledged his commitment and support for the advancement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Saraki disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday after he led members of the party Reconciliation committee to a meeting with him in his residence in Abuja which lasted for over an hour.
Members of the committee who met with Jonathan were ex- Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim; former governors Ibrahim Shema, Liyel Imoke and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Katsina, Cross River and Gombe States respectively and former House of Representatives leader, Mulikat Adeola-Akande.
The Committee which was inaugurated in 2019 shortly after the general election which uehered President Muhammadu Buhari for the second term as the president of Nigeria was to reconcile aggrieved members who left the party as well woo new members into the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
However, Saraki while briefing the journalists after the meeting said that the committee members were at Jonathan’s residence to brief him of their mandate, plans as well as to seek his advice on how to go about it to strengthen the party, by reconciling aggrieved members.
“He gave us his views and we are very happy. He reassured all of us of his commitment to the PDP and he told us that he is still ready to offer his time, experience and resources to strengthen the party.
“That is very strong and important for us. Of course, you know there are funny issues going on but we are leaving this place very happy.
“He is also ready to work with the reconciliation committee to play his own part. That is a great step for the party,” Saraki said.
He advised those disturbing Jonathan to defect to forget the thought, saying the former president remained a PDP man.
Saraki said Jonathan’s pledge to work for the cause of the PDP was commendable.
“We spoke about what role former Presidents like him will play and he left us feeling very happy that yes, he will like to play that role in the PDP and help our committee to move forward,” he said.
