PDP disowns Dokpesi, says apology to Nigerians his personal opinion

The National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, said the apology credited to the party’s National Conference Committee Chairman, Raymond Dokpesi, remained his personal opinion.

Mr. Metuh made this remark when he spoke with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said Mr. Dokpesi’s statement did not in any way represent the official position of the PDP, as he was not a member of the party’s National Executive Committee.

Mr. Metuh said Mr. Dokpesi could only speak in his personal capacity adding that his opinion remains personal and did not represent that of the party.

On PDP’s choice of former President Goodluck Jonathan as candidate in the 2015 presidential race, Mr. Metuh said the decision was approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

He added that the decision was also approved by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC), and the party’s National Caucus.

“In addition, the Constitution of the party allows a sitting president the chance to exercise his personal right to run for a second term if he so desires.’’

On whether the party regretted its action, Metuh said, “how can you regret a decision taken when everyone was there, the NWC, NEC and the national caucus?

“What are we talking about? Everybody was conscious of the decision; nobody was coerced into supporting the position.”

He, however, said it was not the time for buck-passing or blame-game but time to collectively reposition the party.

“We are repositioning our party. What we should do is to join hands to reposition PDP based on Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s report to reclaim the party’s lost glory. This is what is expected of us all at this time,’’ Mr. Metuh said.

Mr. Dokpesi had on Tuesday, on behalf of the PDP, apologised for mistakes the party made during its 16 years rule in the country.

Mr. Dokpesi admitted that the party might not have met all the expectations of Nigerians while it was in power, saying “on behalf of PDP, I tender our apologies.”

Mr. Dokpesi admitted that the party deviated from the dream of its founding fathers, adding that members operated without recourse to the rule of law.

He added that the party, in 2010 and 2011, made the first fundamental mistake for not allowing the North to complete its term.

He noted that special recommendations were made to allow former President Goodluck Jonathan to complete it