Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has said that when the appellate court suggested a reconciliation approach to resolve the party’s lingering issues, a group of members, including himself, were willing to comply.
In an interview with Arise News Television, he disclosed that the Court of Appeal in Ibadan had advised the PDP to consider reconciliation, noting that the time required to adjudicate the case could harm the party.
He said: “When the Federal high court in Ibadan offered a room for reconciliation and I said that I must thank my Lords that away from matrimonial causes, I seldom find my lords engage in that especially at the appellate level. They clearly said that we are offering this because this is a political party and the time needed to adjudicate this matter may destroy the party.”
According to him, one faction of the party was willing and open to reconciliation, while the other chose to remain adamant and continue with the court process. Ememobong alleged that the opposing group pursued litigation because they were confident the judgment would be in their favour.
“We deescalated and were ready for reconciliation but clearly one side sat on high horses and thought that like they would always say, go to court, we have everybody in our pocket. Afterall, we have lands to distribute and all of that.”