The Chairman of the National Committee on Reconciliation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State says the party needs the full support of its members in the South-West to enable it regain power in 2019.

Dickson made the disclosure on Thursday when he led the reconciliatory committee to the region to appease some of its aggrieved national chairmanship aspirants in last weekend’s national convention of the party.

Speaking when the committee visited the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel in Lagos, Dickson said the wise counsel of South-West leaders cannot be looked down upon as it would be needed to help the opposition succeed in its objectives.

He said the committee was in the South – West to discuss the issues thrown up in the aftermath of the party’s last elective convention which produced the Prince Uche Secondus -led National Executive.

Dickson said: “We come with greetings from the leadership of the party that you consolidated, the party that you served as governor for eight years. We are here to thank you and to remind you that you are still a pillar of our party, in your state, in the South-West and across Nigeria.

“The party is relying on your wise counsel. You and your colleagues woke up our party when you went round the entire country to campaign. Our party, PDP, is a viable political platform. We are here to discuss the issues that have arisen as a result of the convention.

“The party holds you, Ogun State and the South-West in very high esteem. Moving forward, we rely on your support, guidance of leaders like you to succeed. We look forward to your active, robust participation in the affairs of PDP going forward.”

In his remarks, Daniel said it was too late for any committed leader of the PDP to contemplate defecting to another party and assured the committee that members of the PDP in the South – West would do everything to ensure the success of the party in 2019.

While admitting that grievous mistakes and assumptions were made during the struggle for power at the convention, Daniel commended Dickson for his maturity and sacrifice which he described as a demonstration of true leadership.

Earlier, the committee also visited Chief Olabode George in Lagos and a former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja in Ibadan. Ladoja assured the delegation that the South – West would work in harmony in the overall interest of the party.

While accepting the outcome of the convention, Ladoja added that the convention provided an opportunity for the zone to learn its lessons and come to the realization that it could for once, speak with one voice.