Fifty-Seven members of the PDP in the House of Reps, on Tuesday, declared support for the New PDP led by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, a former national chairman of the party.

The lawmakers, in a statement issued in Abuja, on Tuesday night, however, tasked the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves to be used by anybody for political ambition, no matter how highly placed.

“We, members of the House of Reps on the platform of the New PDP, hereby congratulate our leaders on the emergence of the new party.“Although a sizeable number of our members who could not append their signatures because of their unavailability in the country will do so immediately on arrival, we, the undersigned, salute and appreciate the courage, sacrifice, resilience and patriotism of our leaders, viz, former Vice President Abubakar, Governors Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Abdulfattah Ahmed (Kwara) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), and other well-meaning and eminent Nigerians for leading the way for the emergence of the New PDP.

“We are also using this opportunity to condemn in strong terms, attempts by some agents of the FG to use state apparatus to witch-hunt some of these patriots for taking this bold and courageous step.

“As members of the House of Reps, we call on the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves to be used by anybody, no matter how highly placed, for their political ambitions.

“We won’t hesitate, however, to use all instruments of law within our powers, as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to stop this and bring anybody found wanting to book.

“We wish to state that by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the New PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Baraje; the deputy chairman, Dr Sam Sam Jaja; national secretary, Prince Oyinola and other members of the National Executive Committee.

“We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide level playing-field for all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.

Those who signed the statement included Honourables Abdullahi Balarabe, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Ali Ahmad, Abdullahi Muhammad Wammako, Abdullahi Muhammed Rico, Abdulmalik Usman Cheche, Adamu Bashir, Ahman-Patigi Aliyu, Ahmed Zerewa, Aishatu Ahmed Binani, Aiyedun Akeem Olayinka, Alhassan Ado Garba, Aliyu Madaki, Aliyu Shehu and Aminu Shagari. Others were Aminu Sulyman, Aminu Tukur, Andrew Uchendu, Asita Honourable, Bashir Bballe, Blessing Nsiegbe, Dakuku Peterside, Dawari George, Faruq Muhammed Lawan, Gibson Nathaniel, Gogo Bright Tamunu, Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, Hassan Adamu, Hussain Namadi, Ibrahim Ebbo, Ibrahim Tijjani Kivawa and Issa Bashir.

Also on the list were Kabiru Achida, Khabeeb Mustapha, Maurice Pronen, Mohammed Sabo, Mpigi Barinada, Muhammad Ahmed Mukhtar, Muhammad Ibrahim, Muhammad Sani Kutigi, Mukhtari Muhammad, Musa Ado, Musa Sarkin-Adar, Mustapha Bala Dawaki, Mustapha Mashood, Ogbonna Nwuke, Rafiu Ibrahim, Sa’ad Nabunkari, Sani Muhammed Aliyu, Shuaibu Gobir, Sokonte Davies, Sufiyanu Ubale, Umar Bature, Usman Wada, Yusuph Dunari Sule, Yusuph Galambi and Zakari Muhammed.