PDP crisis over soon, says Lagos lawmaker

The Minority Leader in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Akeem Bello, on Wednesday said that the crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would be resolved before April.

Bello, representing Amunwo-Odofin Constituency II at the assembly, told the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that serious reconciliation processes were ongoing to bring all stakeholders on board.

According to him, the party has seen the need to close ranks as the 2019 general elections draw closer.

“The game of 2019 general elections starts from June 2017.

“I am telling everyone that cares to know that the crisis within PDP will be resolved between now and April 2017 because the 2019 elections are around the corner.

“If party leadership cannot put its head together between now and April, it means the party is going, but I am very sure the crisis will be resolved.

“I am giving 100 per cent assurance that the crisis in PDP will be resolved soon because the campaigns for 2019 elections start this year.

“Toward the end of this year, the guidelines for the elections may likely come out or early next year. I am assuring you that between now and April the crisis within PDP will be over soon.

“The election will just be about 15 months from August this year because 2019 elections will be January or February of that year. So, crisis will be resolved very soon,’’ he said.

The lawmaker said that both the Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff and Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi factions were making efforts to resolve crisis.

According to him, the delay in the national convention of the party is for the party to have enough time to reconcile.

NAN reports that the PDP had been faced with series of leadership crises shortly after its defeat in the 2015 general elections.