The Chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, on Wednesday advised leaders and members of the party to place priority on the future in order to actualize the PDP mandate to take over power in 2019.
According to him, while it was a fact that the past was important as a guide to shape the future, the PDP leaders and members had a responsibility to focus their energy on the challenges ahead of the party.
The governor, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, said Dickson threw the challenge while leading the members of the reconciliation committee on a visit to the Chairman of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, in Abuja.
He stated that the committee visited Dokpesi to interact with him because of its awareness of the need to reach out to as many political leaders as possible who have played key roles in the party and whose efforts are crucial to the success of the party in the future.
Dickson commended Dokpesi for his maturity and love for the party as shown by the statement he issued accepting the outcome of the convention and restraining his supporters.
The governor said, “Now the convention has come and gone the way it did. As party leaders, we know that even though it was a family contest, there was need to reach out to leaders who have played key roles in the party, and whose contributions moving forward would continue to be significant. We thought we should interact with you, to share ideas with you, to discuss some of the concerns and issues that have arisen after the convention.
“Primarily, it is not with a view to looking back as much as we would like all of us to focus on the future to see how we can get to our desired destination. The purpose of this engagement is not so much with a view to looking at the past than the future. We know the past is important to guide the future. But the purpose, the aim of this interaction is how we can move forward.”
In his reaction, Dokpesi assured Dickson and the members of the committee of his determination to sustain continuous support for the PDP.
He stressed that he would not withdraw his support from the party as a result of the events which characterized the December 9, 2017 National Convention òf the party which produced Chief Uche Secondus as National Chairman.
Dokoesi said that his major mission was to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress from power in 2019.
He recalled his pre convention position that the outcome of the convention would accepted since bring Chairman was not a do or die affair.
“There are quite a number of things that were said before the convention. I believe that Nigerians will recall that I said that the convention and the election that we are going into was not a matter of life and death. That I did say that I was conscious of the fact that power comes from God, and whoever emerges, I will give my unconditional support, to ensure that this party is able to fulfill its mission, to ensure that the challenges that are ahead can be overcome much more easily.
“I had defining moments where I would have on that Saturday made one or two statements that would have totally damaged the convention. But that is not my mission. My mission is to ensure that this present APC Government is removed out of office.
“So whatever were the shortcomings, I had already agreed and and i signed documents twice that I would unconditionally support whoever comes out of it.
“So here I am, I am willing, ready, prepared to allow the PDP have its breath,I pray for the PDP, I pray that we get it right. Be assured I will continue to give the PDP all the support that I need to give the party.
“I will not because of the events of that day withdraw my support from the party. Except that the younger generation that would be in charge at the helm of affairs, would have to be looking at the way and manner that support would be given,” he said
He commended Dickson for his commitment and sacrifices in ensuring the prevalence of peace within the PDP.
Dokpesi stressed the committee’s visit was the first of its kind embarked upon by PDP leaders immediately after a national convention.