Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee in Benue State, AVM Napoleon Balli has said the committee will be able to reconcile and resolve the friction within the party’s state chapter within 90 days.
This comes as the national chairman of the party, Ambassador Illiya Damagum, cautioned the committee to avoid sentiments and selfishness in its task.
Damagum stated this while inaugurating the Balli-led caretaker committee for Benue State at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Although the tenure of the party’s elected executive committee in Benue expired last week, cracks had emerged in the party following a battle for control of the party between former governors, Senator Gabriel Suswam and Samuel Ortom.
Their tussle had led to counter suspensions on themselves by their factions.
Speaking with newsmen after his inauguration, Balli, when asked if he can reconcile the camps within the 90 day period, said “We will look at the task ahead, look at the issues and definitely if we cannot make in 90 days, we will make sure that we will let the originating authority know.
“If we need more time, I believe that the National Working Committee will give us more time but I believe strongly that with the issues that I have informally heard, we should be able to resolve them within 90 days.”
Speaking on the nature of their assignment, the caretaker chairman said as a retired general, he is well taught on conflict management just as he urged the warring camps to cooperate with the committee.
He said, “It is not a question of Ortom or Suswam, but by the grace of God, I together with all these members of this committee are going to unite them. Conflict management is just a matter of give and take, we shall look at the issues and address the issues. If we cannot address, can somebody take some and leave some? This is what conflict management is all about. So I can assure you that we are going to unite all the big names and people of PDP in Benue state. So I can assure you that they will all come on board.
“So if they are listening to me, I am calling on all of them to give us all the necessary cooperation so that we will do our job without fear of favour.
I strongly believe that they are very reasonable people and seasoned Nigerians, they will listen to us and we work with them to takeover the leadership of the state,” he said.
While inaugurating the committee, the PDP national chairman, Damagum, said “Your duty is simple to usher in a new executive during this ongoing Congress. This is not an easy task, you must avoid sentiments, selfishness and taking all even though you come from various interests. You must also put the party first, before your personal interest. Until you have a party in Benue, you will not be able to achieve in Benue. We have a daunting task.
“We all know the crisis there, that led to our bad outing during the last election and I am sure we should use this opportunity and you to correct that anormaly that made us lose that state which is predominantly a PDP state.
“I am very happy with the selection of the Chairman to lead the committee and enjoin, all of you to give the support he needs. The only to succeed is through getting the necessary support, the Chairman is going to Benue to help you achieve reconciliation, progress that has so far been retarded within the party in Benue. You must work for an inclusive executive for the state. In any party you have the good and the bad, you must carry all along, everyone is important,” he said.
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