S/Court verdict: Jonathan urges PDP members who left to return

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has called on all PDP members who defected to return.

The former President was reacting to Ahmed Makarfi’s victory at the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The ex-president while noting that there are no winners and losers in the wake of court verdict, however urged Makarfi’s leadership not to see victory as being for a section of the party but as a moral victory of constitutionality over arbitrariness.

The leadership crisis saw the opposition party losing some of its members to either the ruling party or other political parties due to the lingering crisis facing it, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani; former Governor of Old Anambra State Jim Nwobodo; former Corps Marsh, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidoka; former Presidential adviser, Doyin Okupe; Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Andy Uba; his counterpart in Finance, John Enoh as well as Nelson Effiong.

Reacting to the verdict on his twitter handle, @GEJonathan, the former president said “As I congratulate the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee, I strongly urge them not to see this as a victory of a section of the party.

“I believe in our jurists. We may have issues with some individuals but the Nigerian judiciary deserves respect and commendation.

“Today’s verdict is a judgment where there are no winners or losers. It is a verdict that will bring our party together.

“As I congratulate the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee, I strongly urge them not to see this as a victory of a section of the party but as a moral victory of constitutionality over arbitrariness.

“Thus, they must take inspiration from General Yakubu Gowon and declare a ‘no victor and no vanquished policy’.

“I hereby call on all those who left the party because of its leadership issues to return to their natural home and build the PDP.

“The PDP is an inclusive vehicle not an exclusive one. We see Nigerians as human beings deserving of the rule of law, separation of powers and a free market economy that provides a level playing ground for all.

“The party that gave Nigeria the largest economy in Africa is a party whose heart is large enough to find a place for all Nigerians.

“I thank God for this day of Justice and may God bless Nigeria. GEJ”

 

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja