TheCable

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) board of trustees says it will stand by Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, as he faces trial over alleged forgery of 2015 senate rules.

Jibrin Walid, chairman of the party’s BoT, made this known when the board paid a solidarity visit to the senate PDP caucus in Abuja on Tuesday.

Describing Ekweremadu as a a man of honour and integrity, Walid said the BoT would continue to support him.

“We are here to give our support to Sen. Ekweremadu, who is a man of honour, a forthright legislator and an exemplary character worthy of emulation by all,” he said.

“We decided to be here to visit the national assembly and give all necessary support. Nobody should try to tarnish his record.

“We are not here to pre-empt the decision of the court. We are calling for fair justice and Ekweremadu should not be roped into the matter for any political reasons.

“Our 48 senators with the support of APC senators elected Ekweremadu as deputy senate president which is a good omen to enable them legislate for Nigeria.

“No attempt should be made by any group to rope him into this saga. He should be left alone. Any attempt to remove him will not augur well with democracy.”

On the leadership crisis rocking the party, Wali said that the organs of the party were working hard to resolve the crisis, adding that the party would overcome the crisis.

While, urging the party members to remain calm, he called on those that instituted cases against the party to withdraw them in line with the constitution.

He expressed optimism that the PDP would win the forth coming Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections.

Responding, Ekweremadu said PDP senators had promised to use the recess period which would commence on Thursday to rally support for the Edo PDP gubernatorial candidate.

“Nigerians are expecting us to show that we are the greatest party in Africa. People from other parties are prepared to join the party,” he said.

Ekweremadu said the party was committed to the ideals and welfare of the people as enshrined in the party’s constitution and the 1999 constitution as amended.

Ekweremadu is one of the defendants in the alleged forgery of the 2015 senate standing orders.