2019: PDP youths ‎ask Makarfi c'ttee, Kashamu, Ubah to close ranks

By Saawua Terzungwe

‎The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Northern Youths' Forum have called on the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee, Senator Buruji Kashamu and Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah to close ranks in the interest of the party.

The Forum said what the party needed was not rancour but a united front and re-branding at all levels to reclaim power in 2019.

The caretaker committee had slammed a one-month suspension on Uba, who has threatened to sue the party over the August 28, Anambra State governorship primary, as an aspirant.

The committee also queried Kashamu and referred him to the National Disciplinary Committee for action over "anti-party activities."

But addressing newsmen yesterday, in Abuja, national president of the Forum, ‎ Nafiu Yunusa MaiSalati said Kashamu, Ubah and members of the caretaker committee were important building blocks and should play key roles ‎for the party's full recovery.

‎He explained that the target should be on the grass roots who he said kept faith with the party even when it was embroiled in a 14-month legal tussle recently.

MaiSalati said party leaders and members must do away with the spirit of impunity and be patriotic, adding that there was no need for a fresh legal battle to rear its head in the party.

The Forum noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government had prepared grounds for PDP's takeover and called for caution in the party.

‎"We need calm in the PDP this time. It's time for sober reflection. We have gone through deep legal challenges and came out of it. What we need now is for our leaders and members to close ranks.

"Dialogue is key because politics is a game of numbers; so we need to exercise caution in taking certain decisions. PDP at the moment needs more members into its fold; people with profound political ‎pedigree who can propel it to victory again.

"So we are calling for dialogue between the caretaker committee and Sen.Buruji, We don't want him to be doing things that are inimical to the health of our party.

The Forum noted that Senator Buruji remains the most visible mobiliser and chief financial of the PDP in the south west and advised the NCC to invite the Senator for meaniful Dialogue in finding a lasting solution to the problems in the South West and in the Ogun State Chapter.

‎"Losing a serving Senator with his supporters will be a sad news to our party members; because we want need to contribute meaningfully to ensuring that we are back to the villa in 2019"Defending the vote of Ogun and entire South west.