The end of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be drawing nigh by the day as no fewer than 57 members of the party in the House of Representatives have declared their support for the splinter group of the party.
The lawmakers made their intention known just a day after 22 of their colleagues in the Senate took a similar step.
In the statement endorsed by 57 House members last night, the lawmakers hailed the emergence of the faction and congratulated the Baraje-led National Executive Committee of the party.
“We, the members of the House of Representatives under the platform of the New PDP, hereby congratulate our leaders on the emergence of the new party.
“Although a sizeable number of our members who could not append their signatures because of their unavailability in the country will do so immediately on arrival, we, the undersigned, salute and appreciate the courage, sacrifice and resilience and patriotism of our leaders namely: former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, GCON, and the Governors of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko, (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), and Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), and other well-meaning and eminent Nigerians for leading the way for the emergence of the New PDP.
“We are also using this opportunity to condemn in strong terms attempts by some agents of the federal government to use the state apparatus to witch-hunt some of these patriots for taking this bold and courageous step.
“As members of the House of Representatives, we call on the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves to be used by anybody no matter how highly placed for their political ambitions. Remember how you want history to judge your tenures.
“We won’t hesitate however to use all instruments of law within our powers as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to stop this and bring anybody found wanting to book.
“We wish to state that by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the New PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and other members of the National Executive Committee.
“We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide a level playing field for all Nigerians,” the statement read.
It was also gathered that the New PDP House members might soon put pressure on the principal officers of the House to declare their stand or face removal.
This, a source said, was because with their numerical strength, as the majority the PDP once held in the House no longer exists.
At the moment, PDP has 204 members in the House, All Progressives Congress (APC) has 137, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord Party have five members each. The Labour Party has eight, while the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has five members.
One of the defected lawmakers said the massive crossover of his colleagues to the New PDP was indicative that many members of the party were dissatisfied with the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
The lawmaker, who opted for anonymity, added that the “real politicians” are the ones leaving the mainstream party to form the New PDP.
According to him, the factionalisation of the party was a signal to Jonathan to halt his ambition to run for a second term in 2015.
Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, however expressed optimism yesterday that the party would emerge from the crisis stronger as peace talks with the aggrieved party members, whom he said had genuine grievances, would now continue next Tuesday.
Announcing the postponement of the peace meeting, which was scheduled for yesterday, Anenih said the meeting would now hold next Tuesday.
The 57 House Members that declared support for the Splinter group of the PDP are:
1. Abdullahi Balarabe
2. Abdulmumin Jibrin
3. Ali Ahmad
4. Abdullahi M. Wamakko
5. Abdullahi Muhammed Rico
6. Abdulmalik Usman Cheche
7. Adamu Bashir
8. Ahman-Patigi Aliyu
9. Ahmed Zerewa
10. Aishatu Ahmed Binani
11. Aiyedun Akeem Olayinka
12. Alhassan Ado Garba
13. Aliyu Madaki
14. Aliyu Shehu
15. Aminu Shagari
16. Aminu Sulyman
17. Aminu Tukur
18. Andrew Uchendu
19. Asita Honourable
20. Bashir Baballe
21. Blessing Nsiegbe
22. Dakuku Peterside
23. Dawari George
24. Faruq Muhammed Lawan
25. Gibson Nathaniel
26. Gogo Bright Tamunu
27. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro
28. Hassan Adamu
29. Hussain Namadi
30. Ibrahim Ebbo
31. Ibrahim Tijjani Kivawa
32. Issa Bashir
33. Kabiru Achida
34. Khabeeb Mustapha
35. Maurice Pronen
36. Mohammed Sabo
37. Mpigi Barinada
38. Muhammad Ahmed Mukhtar
39. Muhammad Ibrahim
40. Muhammad Sani Kutigi
41. Mukhtari Muhammad
42. Musa Ado
43. Musa Sarkin-Adar
44. Mustapha Bala Dawaki
45. Mustapha Mashood
46. Ogbonna Nwuke
47. Rafiu Ibrahim
48. Sa’ad Nabunkari
49. Sani Muhammed Aliyu
50. Shuaibu Gobir
51. Sokonte Davies
52. Sufiyanu Ubale
53. Umar Bature
54. Usman Wada
55. Yusuph Dunari Sule
56. Yusuph Galambi
57. Zakari Muhammed
What ever a man sow that will he reap. You and your leaders have decided rebel against the Presidency for selfish ambitions to kill the fresh air Nigerians are enjoying to impose your dictatorial leadership on innocent citizens of Nigeria. No evil man will rule Nigerians come 2015. A stitch in time saves nine.
Power seekers group, Nigerians are watching you. How did you people forget so soon that power Comes from God. You will only stir the nation into much troubles but I also bet you will not find it funny when God does his mind for Nigerians.
This is good, its time for Jonathan to sit up. A man that can not take decision on his own, does it mean that we have baby President in Goodluck? He has Succeeded in destroying Rivers State, so he ll not also sleep. Congratulations Baraje.
Finally, d prayers r begining to answer, d mysterious is happening.. R we likely seeing d pDp version of Arab spring? WE NEED CHANGE!!!