From Joe Effiong, Uyo
The 11-man reconciliation committee set up by the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile aggrieved members, especially aspirants who lost out during the last nominations exercise, has submitted its report.
The committee, headed by Effiong Bob, was inaugurated to steer the process of a broad-based reconciliation, address any difference that may have arisen from the last nominations of the party, as well as foster peace and keep the party stronger.
Bob, who addressed the state chairman of PDP alongside other executive members shortly before presenting the detailed report to the party, explained the committee had written letters to all categories of aspirants who took part in the just-concluded nominations processes to appear before the committee for discussions and dialogue.
He said: “Mr. Chairman, one of the driving tenets and staying strategies of our party, the PDP, has always been the high value we place on all categories of our members. You had given this committee the strict directive that all categories of people who appear before the committee must be granted fair hearing.
“From aspirants and candidates for the state House of Assembly seats up to the gubernatorial candidate and aspirants, we had reached out to everyone. We even had to host a zoom meeting where we brought aspirants who were out of the state and the country to join us in the committee.
“I, therefore, stand here to report to you on behalf of the committee that we had painstakingly listened to all issues brought before us by eminent members of our party who honoured our invitation to appear before the committee.”
The reconciliation committee chairman said both those who eventually emerged as candidates as well as those who did not emerge were brought together to engage in a rich and robust dialogue with a view to forging new bonds, make efforts at harmonising interests as well as point them to the array of opportunities and possibilities that working together as a team could open up for everyone ahead of the elections.
He said it is the belief of the committee that if the recommendations of the report are thoroughly implemented, it will go a long way in deepening the taproot of the party in Akwa Ibom, keep members united, and perpetuate the streaks of victory of PDP in the state.
Bob thanked the party for entrusting them with the responsibility of leading the reconciliation efforts, noting that from the findings of the committee, PDP in Akwa Ibom State is intact, strong and with the unflinching support and massive votes of Akwa Ibom people for the PDP, it will roundly emerge victorious in all categories of the forthcoming elections.
Receiving the report, the state chairman of the party, Aniekan Akpan, commended them for the effort and industry they have invested in handling the task assigned to them by the party and assured them that the party would take time to study the recommendations contained in therein with a view to speedily implementing them in the interest of enduring peace, unity, progress and success of the party.
“I commend you for a job well done. I have been following the activities of the committee and it was very pleasing to see that all of you were so committed in attending the many sittings you held.
“On many occasions, you rose from your sitting as late as 7pm. Judging from that dedication, it is clear all of you gave this important assignment the seriousness it deserved. For this dedication and painstaking job, the PDP in Akwa Ibom State is indebted to you in gratitude,” he said.
Akpan enjoined members of the party to continue to keep faith with the PDP as Akwa Ibom people had long anchored their trust on the PDP as the most credible platform for the emergence of leaders at all levels, maintaining that the PDP cannot afford to betray this trust.