I Will Return To PDP If, Says Tallen

The former Deputy Governor of Plateau, Dame Pauline Tallen, on Monday expressed her readiness to return to PDP, if the present National Executive Council of the party could guarantee internal democracy.

She gave the condition in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Tallen in Abuja.

Tallen, who contested governorship election in Plateau on the platform of Labour Party (LP) in 2011 described PDP as her party, adding that she treasured the party.

“If the right thing is in stock, I will return, don’t forget I am a founding member of PDP.

“I was in the board of trustees, everybody knows, but I will not return until the internal democracy is restored,’’ she said.

The former deputy governor added that she would not object if NEC made effort to reconcile her with the party.

Tallen said she left PDP because a lot of injustice had been done to her, during the party’s primary election in Plateau and several other party members.

He added that “if this is not corrected, the party stands to lose many of its members”.

“The injustice has come and gone. As I am talking now I have forgiven all that wronged me, my battle is that of God and I am willing for reconciliation.

“If they come I cannot refuse, neither can I walk out of Nigeria because Nigeria is my home and PDP is my party.

She said she left PDP with a majority of other members to form the Labour Party in the state, because “the party was enmeshed in deep political crises. ”

Tallen traced the origin of the crisis mostly to the total absence of internal democracy within the party since 2007.

“There were hues and cries over the non conduct of free, credible and fair congresses within the party in the state.

She said that attempts by the national secretariat of the party to find amicable solutions to the political issues proved abortive “so I decided to leave with my people”.

Tallen said there was need for true reconciliation of the aggrieved party members with fairness and justice to ensure everlasting peace and unity in PDP.

She expressed confidence in the new executive under the leadership of Alhaji Bamangar Tukur and described Tukur “as a man of honour and proven integrity”.

He called on the new executive to embark on the reconciliation of aggrieved members of the party in the true spirit of democracy.

“The new national executive council needs our prayers for God to give it the courage and strong heart to do that which is right and restore the party to its lost glory,” she said.